Cost of doing business

Last week the SFA appeared before the Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation to highlight the problem of high business costs for small firms, especially labour costs, insurance costs and Local Authority rates and charges. The SFA issued a press release on 17 October on this which was covered in:

• The Irish Independent – 18 October
• The Irish Examiner - 18 October
• Michael F. Dolan & Co – 20 October

Budget will help deal with Brexit

The SFA were referred to in an article in the Dundalk Argus Newsletter on 17 October as a body ready to engage with SMEs concerned about Brexit. 

Christmas party tips for workers and employers

The SFA were referred to in an article in the Westmeath Independent on 21 October on giving advice to employees and employers on Christmas parties. 

Funding options for small companies

The SFA were referred to in an article in the Sunday Business Post on 22 October on investment and alternative funding options available to small businesses. 

• SFA-members: €750 + VAT for a table of 10, €75 + VAT for an individual seat

We hope you are free to join us and look forward to welcoming you on the day.

Due to popular demand the application deadline for the SFA National Small Business Awards 2018 has been extended to 5:30pm on Friday, 27 October 2017. If your small business has not already submitted your application form don't miss your last chance to apply. 

The SFA National Small Business Awards 2018 recognise the best in small business and are open to all companies in Ireland with up to 50 employees. The entry categories are:

• Manufacturing — sponsored by Energia
• Food and Drink — sponsored by Bord Bia
• Services — sponsored by Three
• Outstanding Small Business — up to five employees, sponsored by AIB
• Innovator of the Year — sponsored by Enterprise Ireland
• Sustainable Energy —  sponsored by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland
• Exporter of the Year —  sponsored by DHL Express

In addition, the five best 'Emerging New Businesses' (companies who are less than two years in existence) will be selected that have the potential to grow and have the ability to be an SFA National Small Business Award winner in the future; this category is supported by IE Domain Registry.

There is a €50,000 prize package up for grabs for ALL finalists.

The competition is open to all companies in Ireland with up to 50 employees and there are a range of categories to suit all sectors.

The entry process is free and is very simple, requiring you to provide information under five headings. The extended application deadline is 5:30pm on Friday, 27 October 2017. ENTER NOW.

The Government recently announced that with effect from 1 October this year, mothers can extend both maternity leave and benefits to encompass the pre-term period of the birth of the child. The additional leave and benefits are to be added to the end of the statutory 26-week maternity leave period.

Under the Maternity Protection Acts, employees are required to go on maternity leave at least two weeks prior to the expected due date i.e. 37^th week of pregnancy. As such, if a mother gives birth in the 33^rd week of her pregnancy, an extra four weeks of leave and benefit can then be obtained after the duration of the normal 26-week leave and benefit period. Although, this new provision is not yet statutory, it will apply to mothers of pre-term babies born on or after 1 October.

For further advice, view the SFA's guideline on maternity leave or contact Ciara McGuone, SFA Executive on 01 605 1668 or ciara.mcguone@sfa.ie.

There are over 80 different government supports available to small businesses but many of them are not well known or understood. Each week in the SFA e-zine, we will profile a different support that could improve your business, giving you information and advice.

Innovation Vouchers

What?            

A voucher for €5,000 to exchange for advice and expertise from a public research organisation (usually a university or institute of technology) 

The vouchers can be used for:

• new product or process development
• new business model development
• new service delivery and customer interface
• new service development
• tailored training in innovation management
• innovation/technology audit

Why?             

The Innovation Voucher scheme aims to help small firms to innovate by increasing the flow of knowledge between academia and business.

The idea is to explore a business opportunity or problem that requires research beyond the capacity of the company itself. Depending on the agreement made between the company and one of the registered knowledge providers, deliverables could include reports, drawings, technical specifications, technology roadmaps or rough product or process prototypes.   

How?             

The scheme is run by Enterprise Ireland (but is not restricted to EI client companies). Standard applications are made through an online application system during an open call period (usually three per year). The next open call will run from 17 January 2018 to 31 January 2018. For more information visit www.innovationvouchers.ie. 

Tips               

If you are interested in applying, don’t forget:

• The vouchers are available to small and medium sized limited companies registered in Ireland.
• Companies can avail of a maximum of three Innovation Vouchers, but only one can be active at any given time.
• 80% of applications are successful, with the main reasons for turning down an application being non-eligibility of applicant/activity, insufficient information or low level of innovation.
• There are 38 approved publicly-funded knowledge providers, including 10 in Northern Ireland. Companies do not have to approach a knowledge provider before applying for the voucher.
• The vouchers are subject to VAT and the company is responsible for the payment of the VAT. The company is also responsible for any costs above €5,000.
• Co-Funded Fast Track vouchers are available for companies who have already used two Innovation Vouchers or for whom the open call schedule is not suitable. 

On 17 October, the SFA was represented by Assistant Director, Linda Barry, at a hearing of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation. This was the first of a series of hearings being held by the Committee to explore the cost of doing business in Ireland.

The SFA highlighted that Ireland is a high cost location for small businesses. The main cost concerns for members are:

1. Labour costs
2. Insurance costs
3. Local Authority rates and charges

The SFA urged the TDs and Senators on the committee to be vigilant about the cost burden on small business in every matter before the Committee. The Bills discussed by the Committee earlier in the year around banded hours and other ideas to reduce employer flexibility cannot be seen as separate to the cost issue, as they would increase labour costs for small firms.

Much of the question and answer session focused on commercial rates, with general consensus between the business representatives and the politicians that the system is not fit for purpose.

The discussion coincided with the announcement by the Valuation Office of Reval 2019, the next phase of the revaluation process, which will affect Cavan, Dublin Fingal, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Wexford and Wicklow. More information is available at www.valoff.ie.

The SFA’s written submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the cost of doing business is available here. The Committee will publish a report outlining proposed policy measures early in the new year.

The SFA’s press release on the day of the Committee hearing is available here.

If you have specific cost concerns that you would like the SFA to include in its representations to government, please contact Linda Barry on 01 6051626 or linda.barry@sfa.ie.  

If you missed last week's webinar on workplace investigations you can play it back and access a copy of the presentation here. 

This webinar was delivered by Ciara McGuone, SFA Executive and focuses on the legal and best practice requirements when conducting workplace investigations. It is important that employers adhere to fair procedures and conduct an objective and thorough investigation. If carried out early and correctly, an investigation should contain a problem and minimise distraction from the business. The webinar provides practical tips and advice for employers in conducting investigations and answers some of the most frequently asked questions by members in this area.

The SFA Business Bytes events, which are entirely free of charge, offer small businesses access to expert information and advice and an opportunity to network with their peers. The series is supported by Bord Gáis Energy.

The next event will focus on how to structure your business tax efficiently for today and tomorrow.

• Date: Wednesday, 8 November 2017
• Time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
• Venue: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2 

There are many tax reliefs that may be available on the future disposal of your business. These reliefs, however, have numerous conditions, some of which are time related and require advance action.

In addition, there may be steps that you can take now to increase the value of your business for a future disposal.

An early review of your business from a tax and corporate finance perspective is crucial.

This event will answer questions such as:

• How can you structure your business tax efficiently today for a future disposal?
• What are the tax reliefs that may be available on the disposal of your business?
• What tax reliefs are available on the transfer of your business to your children?
• What considerations are important when valuing your business?
• What should I be doing now?

The seminar will be delivered by Catherine Mc Govern (Tax Partner) and Neal Mc Groarty (Corporate Finance Partner) from PKF O’Connor, Leddy & Holmes Ltd, an Irish firm of accountants and registered advisers. They will provide information and advice as well as working through some small business case studies.  

The event will last for approximately one hour with an opportunity to network before and after. Refreshments will be provided.

This event is entirely free of charge but you must pre-register online.

The SFA Annual Lunch is the highlight of the small business calendar. It is an opportunity to celebrate the contribution that small businesses make to the Irish economy and society.

The SFA Annual Lunch 2017 will take place in the Mansion House in Dublin on Friday, 10 November, sponsored by Bank of Ireland. This is the perfect opportunity to bring together your invited guests, special customers, clients and valued employees to kick off the festive season.

The guest speaker will be Brent Pope. Brent will entertain guests with his easygoing and witty style, drawing on his experience in rugby, television and business. He will also share his perspective on wellbeing at work, which is attracting a lot of attention in small businesses of late. 

Guests at the lunch will also hear from Sue O'Neill, SFA Chair, and Michael Lauhoff, Bank of Ireland Director of Business Banking. 

Join over 500 guests, including small business owner-managers, politicians, senior government officials and media for the biggest business lunch of the year for small business.

Member rate of €750 + VAT for a table of 10 or €75 + VAT per seat - book your tickets online now. 

The SFA Members Christmas evening will take place on Thursday, 14 December 2017 from 6.00pm-8.30pm at the SFA offices, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2.

The purpose of the evening is to give members an opportunity to network and develop business contacts in an informal setting. 

Festive food and refreshments will be served. The evening is free of charge and feel free to bring along a friend or colleague but please pre-register all attendees online.  

Two upcoming courses, delivered by trainers with extensive industry experience, offer vital skills for the success of your business: management skills and employment law.

Foundations in Management 

This course is designed for someone moving into a management role as well as for established managers who want to improve the effectiveness of their people management skills.

Topics covered include:

1. The role of the manager
2. Motivating the team
3. Dealing with disciplinary issues
4. Handling grievances
5. Handling conflict 

• When: 23 & 24 November (two-day programme)
• Venue: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
• Cost: €370 per participant for SFA member companies, €420 for non-members
• How to register: Register online here or contact Alexandra Racheru on 01-6051675 or alexandra.racheru@ibec.ie

Foundations in Employment Law

This two day course is designed to equip owner/managers with the skills needed to handle HR issues and provide a sound understanding of employment law.

There are over forty pieces of employment legislation in Ireland designed to protect employees. Non-compliance with this legislation can result in large financial compensation claims awarded to employees by the Workplace Relations Commission or Labour Court. These awards can be anywhere from four weeks' to five years' pay.

Course outline:

1. Contracts of employment – flexible, permanent, part time, fixed term and specific purpose contracts
2. Discipline and dismissal – effectively ending the employment relationship if a member of your team has a conduct, performance or absence issue
3. Equality legislation – understanding the protections that must be afforded to employees
4. Protective leave – maternity, paternity, parental, carers, adoptive and force majeure leave
5. Working time – hours of work, holidays, public holidays and rest breaks
6. Grievance handling – dealing with conflict and bullying/harassment issues

Attendees also leave with the SFA's employment law guidelines. 

• When: 30 November & 1 December (two-day programme)
• Venue: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
• Cost: €370 for SFA members, €420 non-member rate
• How to register: Register online here. For queries, please contact Alexandra Racheru on 01 605 1675 or alexandra.racheru@ibec.ie