The Federation of Small Businesses unravelled

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14/02/2019

There’s a lot of business advice and support available in the UK, but nowhere is this more concentrated and focused than in The Federation of Small Business (FSB). For over 40 years, this organisation has been dedicated to helping small businesses achieve their goals, while providing them with a powerful voice in government and a nationwide support network. With over 200,000 members across the UK, they’re a valuable and essential resource for small businesses.

Below, we explore how it can help your business to grow.

What is the FSB?

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is a lobbying organisation representing small and medium-sized businesses. It's the UK’s largest campaigning pressure group, promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms.

It was formed in 1974 as the National Federation of Self Employed (NFSE). It's member-led, not-for-profit and non-political. There are 184 branches around the UK, in 33 regions, with over 200,000 members. Each branch and region has its own committee.

They're experts in small business, and their services include:

• Business advice - they draw from a wide network encompassing a range of business experts
• Financial expertise - they're not only on hand to offer financial support, but they have a wide range of financial resources members can use.
• A powerful voice in government - they're focused on delivering change that helps smaller businesses grow and succeed. Their lobbying arm starts in Westminster which focuses on UK and English policy issues. They also have teams in Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast work with governments, elected members and decision-makers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Member benefits

Members enjoy a range of benefits from employment, healthcare, and health and safety advice. The FSB also offers financial health checks, a legal protection scheme and other services.

Its website contains a wealth of information on business growth and savings, all designed to help small businesses prosper.

Events

The FSB also runs a series of events, workshops and seminars aimed at:

• Providing networking opportunities for small business owners
• Offering support and guidance
• Providing education around all areas of small business
• Recognising the achievements of small business owners through their Small Business Awards

The events are run in all regions of the UK, and are a fantastic way for small business owners to get together to share ideas, to network, and to benefit from the experts who run the workshops and seminars.

Networking

Don’t underestimate the power of networking events – they’re often one of the best ways to not only share ideas but to increase brand awareness and improve your customer base.

The FSB offers regular business networking events not just in the physical sense, but virtually as well. What this means is that there are some you can attend without leaving home – all you need is an internet connection.

Are there any downsides to joining?

The FSB is like many member organisations – you get out of it what you put into it. It’s all about being proactive – it’s not enough to just pay your membership fee and read the magazine. It’s about keeping in regular contact with their website so that you can find out what’s coming up, what new resources are available, what their experts are saying and how you can take advantage.

Summary

Running a small business can sometimes feel lonely and overwhelming. That’s where support organizations like the FSB play a crucial role in helping you keep your head above water. Their whole aim is about helping small businesses not only achieve their ambitions – and giving them the tools to do it – but about making sure their interests are represented in government. They’re a powerful political voice (while remaining non-partisan) that means the rights and interests of small businesses continue to be a focus for the UK government.

Next steps

• Visit the FSB website and check out their many member benefits, offers, FAQs and resources.
• Talk to other business owners who are members and get their feedback.