Test Valley Business Matters - August 2024

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Welcome to the August edition of Test Valley Business Matters. We hope you are enjoying some well-deserved time off over the summer.

In this edition, we're pleased to report that the council has commissioned remote solar surveys of premises on the larger business parks in the borough. If you occupy a premises on one of these business parks, you will be receiving a report through the post about your building's solar potential. Further details are provided below. 

We are also re-running an AI workshop for small businesses at Crosfield Hall in Romsey on Wednesday 23 October. All attendees at the last session said that they would recommend the workshop to other business owners and managers, and that they would be making changes or discussing changes within their organisations as a result of the session. The session is open to all in Test Valley and the booking link is below.

Finally, we are seeking a professional businessperson to sit on our Members’ Allowances Independent Remuneration Panel, which will meet on 6 and 7 November. Legislation requires councillors' allowances to be reviewed every four years. If you are interested, please contact Sally Prior at sprior@testvalley.gov.uk.

Remote solar surveys of industrial premises

We recognise the significant challenges caused by climate change, and we are committed to working with partners to help reduce emissions across our borough. We have commissioned Absolar, a local company, to conduct remote solar surveys of larger premises on the business parks within the borough. These surveys reveal:

• The size of system capable of fitting on each roof (in areas subject to suitable radiation and avoiding obstacles, including skylights).
• The potential financial and environment savings such a system could deliver.
• The potential installation cost and return on investment.

We shall be mailing this information out to the occupiers of each premises. Any occupier that does not own their building would need to consult their landlord if they wished to consider solar PV installation. You can share the surveys with landlords and any solar PV installer of your choice - there is no obligation to use Absolar for any subsequent work. The estimates within the report can however be refined if you provide Absolar with actual energy usage data - their details are provided with the surveys.

Sparsholt career destinations fair

Sparsholt College is looking for employers, universities, apprenticeship providers, charities and volunteering organisations to exhibit at a fair for around 700 students aged 16+ (including degree students). They are particularly looking for those in land-based and sports industries. For more information, please contact Laura.Asbridge@sparsholtservices.ac.uk

Romsey jobs fair

Due to clashes with other events, we are rescheduling the next Romsey jobs fair to Thursday 7 November at Crosfield Hall. We apologise to anyone who had committed to the previous date. Please contact Tracy at tracy.lambe@dwp.gov.uk if you would like a free employer's stand.

Andover regeneration

The plans for Andover town centre regeneration include the creation a new riverside park along Western Avenue with pedestrian walkways and cycle lane improvements.  However, work is first required on sections of the River Anton. Works are due to commence this year with ecological enhancements to protect the natural chalk stream, its wildlife and plants. With support from Test Valley Borough Council and Hampshire County Council, Southern Water is leading the restoration project using funds from the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). The river works will commence in September at Folly Park. Further information on this project can be found here: River Anton (thinkandovertowncentre.co.uk)

AI for Small Business seminar in Romsey

AI has developed at an exceptional rate over the past 18 months. Implementing AI tools into your business has the potential to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences and drive growth.

This free workshop will be led by Luke Williams, Head of AI at Intergage. He will provide an introduction to AI, explain some of the jargon, show you the risks of bias, showcase the forthcoming power of AI video, provide practical tips on prompt writing, introduce 'Custom GPTs', identify real-world use-cases and outline quick wins that your company can make with tasks such as note taking, and locating email content.

He'll also talk you through the safety, legal and ethical considerations that AI presents, and explain the importance of having an organisational AI policy. The group will be limited to 30 people to facilitate discussion and questions. Please book using this link: AI for Small Businesses Tickets.

Free digital resources

WSX Enterprise, a non-profit business support organisation, has launched a new digital platform for the business community. It includes links to a host of videos on subjects including finance, tax and VAT, HR, cybersecurity, sales, marketing and social media use. You need to register, but these resources are then free. The link is WSX Digital » WSX Enterprise.

Enterprise Nation has launched 'business.connected' a free training programme of workshops, webinars and e-learning modules in partnership with Vodafone Business. It is designed to help businesses kickstart digital change, adopt new technology and stay safe online. Access it via this link: business.connected - Vodafone | Enterprise Nation.

Email TikTok course

Enterprise Nation is offering a free three-part email course designed to help small businesses grow their brands and sales on TikTok. The course will guide users through setting up a TikTok account and provide tips for creating high-performing content. It also features case studies, links out to further resources and offers a group where course goers can connect. Sign up is via this link: TikTok Takeoff | Unlock the secrets to TikTok.

Workplace suicide prevention

All Hampshire businesses now have access to a fully-funded suicide prevention programme run through Havant and East Hampshire Mind. It can offer:

• 1-1 support and consultation
• Bespoke action plans and recommendation
• Ongoing support and guidance
• An eGuide and workplace resources
• Tailored sessions for line managers and employees
• Postvention support for those affected by suicide.

Please see Workplace suicide prevention and postvention support for more details or email workplaceprevention@easthantsmind.org.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is vital to almost every business. Many free resources are available through the Government-backed National Centre for Cyber Security:

Check your Cyber Security: Cyber security check

Small Business Guide: Small business guide

Cyber Essentials certification:  Certification

Impact of supply chain cyber security risks: Supply chain risks

Small Organisations Newsletter: Newsletter 

Toolkit for Boards: Board toolkit

Exercise in a Box: Test your business response to cyberattacks 

Top Tips for Staff – free training: NCSC Staff training

Skills England

The Government has announced the launch of Skills England with Richard Pennycock CBE (former chief executive of the Co-operative Group) as the interim chair. It will be tasked with providing strategic oversight of the post-16 skills system and building strong employer relationships. A growth and skills levy will replace the apprenticeship levy and is intended to be more flexible and allow funding of non-apprenticeship training. We'll keep you updated.

TVBC provides support to new businesses and SMEs in the borough through targeted small grants Grants & Funding | Test Valley Borough Council and a free business support service Small business support service | Test Valley Borough Council. 

We are always delighted to hear from those we have supported and would like to collect your success stories. This month we heard from Nidge who received a Business Incentive Grant from TVBC when he started his new business, Nidge’s Artisan Pizza Kitchen, in 2021. The business has exceeded Nidge's expectations – it now has 1700 facebook followers, 5* reviews on tripadvisor, and a recommendation on Restaurant Guru 2024. Last month, it won two South of England Prestige Awards: Takeaway of the Year for Hampshire, and Mobile Food Business of the Year for London and the South East. Further information can be found at Grant Recipient Stories | Test Valley Borough Council

If you have a story to tell, please contact jhewson@testvalley.gov.uk

Regular events 

See our website for regular networking events run by The Natural Business Network in Andover, Romsey Mutual Business Group, Romsey Chamber of Commerce, BNI in Romsey and Andover and Andover Ladies who Latte.

Specific dates for your diary 

20 August 2024 – Enterprise Nation – Lunch and Learn: How to set up and grow your e-commerce business. Virtual 12:00-12:30. Lunch and Learn: E-commerce webinar

21 August 2024 – FSB – Health, wellbeing and personal development for small businesses. Virtual 16:30-17:45. FSB | Health, wellbeing and personal development for small businesses

22 August 2024 – Enterprise Nation – Customising ChatGPT for your own personalised AI. Virtual. 12:00-12:30. Lunch and Learn: Customising ChatGPT

23 August 2024 – SYOB – Start-Up Workshop. Virtual 09:30-12:30. Free Start-Up Workshop (syob.net)

28 August 2024 – FSB – Disabled Entrepreneurs Networking. Virtual. 11:00-12:00. FSB | Disabled Entrepreneurs Networking

13 September 2024 – FSB – Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight virtual networking. 09:00-10:00. FSB | Hampshire, Dorset and IoW

16 September 2024 – Hampshire Chamber of Commerce – Can skills funding help your business? Virtual. 12:00-13:00. HCC Skills Funding webinar

18 September 2024 – Romsey Chamber of Commerce – Informal networking with updates from the Town Council, Chamber and Police. Romsey Town Hall. 07:30-09:00. 

19 September 2024 – IncuHive – Net Zero Business Support – Your path to a greener future. Virtual. 10:00-11:30. Net Zero Business Support webinar Sept

19 September 2024 – Enterprise Nation – Google Digital Garage. Future Towns Innovation Hub, University Parkway, Chilworth, SO16 7PT. 10:00-15:00. Google Digital Garage

19 September 2024 – Enterprise Nation – Transform your Instagram into a lead-generation machine. Virtual. 11:00-11:45. Tech Hub: Instagram

26 September 2024 – Sparsholt College – Careers Destination Fair. To exhibit, land-based and sport employers and charities should contact Laura.Asbridge@sparsholtservices.ac.uk.

27 September 2024 – Enterprise Nation – Camera confidence and presentation skills. Virtual 09:30-10:30. Camera confidence and presentation skills

Any questions?

If you want to contact TVBC about any issues you have, or to give feedback on your email bulletin, click through on the button below: