Dear Member, 

Welcome to this edition of the SFA e-zine.

On Monday 14 September, we launched the 2021 SFA National Small Business Awards with Awards Patron, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Now entering its 17th year, we are delighted to invite all small businesses around Ireland to apply here before 22 October for the chance to be crowned the Best Small Business in Ireland. Make sure you register for the first event of the programme, Business to Business: A virtual networking event for small business, taking place on 23 September. 

If you haven’t already done so, I kindly ask you to take part in our Business Sentiment Survey. The results of which will provide the SFA with useful information on how members perceive the economy, COVID-19 supports and Brexit. 

This week we look at how the Workplace Relations Commission has changed its mediation and adjudication service from face to face hearings to a written procedure and remote virtual hearings due to Covid-19 restrictions. You will also find updated information and advice on how to prepare for Brexit, and our most recent press coverage. 

SFA and Skillnet have launched the next phase of MentorsWork, a programme designed to provide you with the skills and supports to help your business thrive, and there are 50 applications reserved exclusively for SFA members. Finally, Idiro Analytics, SFA Members and award-winning Irish analytics consultancy, have a special offer for SFA Members to level the playing pitch for SMEs.

As always, we’d love to hear from you about any queries you may have, issues you wish to have raised with Government or other stakeholders and your ideas on how we can improve the business environment for us all. Please contact me on tel: 01 605 1602 or e-mail: sven@sfa.ie or tweet: @SFA_Irl or visit our website.

Kind regards, 

Sven Spollen-Behrens

SFA Director