Business
There are several organisations offering online advice and support to businesses across Mid Wales. Here are some of the main local websites - tell us if you know of any more good ones.
ARENA network
http://www.arenanetwork.org/Default.aspx
This website provides information to support businesses on environmental management and training related issues. Areas of the site include sections on biodiversity, sustainability, waste and legislation.
Business Eye
http://www.businesseye.org.uk
Launched in September 2003 to replace Business Connect Wales, Business Eye describes itself as offering free and impartial information and a signposting service for businesses in Wales. That signposting service includes links to hundreds of business-orientated websites - from farming to finance, tourism to training. It's a bilingual website, with a section on business news, a diary of events and a Q&A forum for users. Business Eye also acts as a doorway to local business support centres across Wales, including seven in Powys and Ceredigion.
Business In The Community
http://www.bitc.org.uk
Business in the Community is a unique movement of 700 member companies committed to continually improving their positive impact on society. The organisation is an independent charity involving 189 member companies in leadership teams that develop responsible business practice. The website offers information about the different programmes and campaigns run by BITC, events organised by the group and resources available to businesses. A colourful site, regularly updated.
Cardigan and District Probus Club
http://cardiprobus.tripod.com/
The club exists to provide a meeting point for retired or semi-retired professional and business men (hence the name Probus) at which they can contact and maintain fellowship with others in like circumstances. The website includes sections on the club's history and programme for the year.
Suggested by Colin Lewis
Ceredigion E-Business Club
http://www.ceredigionebusinessclub.co.uk
Ceredigion E-Business Club was set up at the end of 2002 with the aim of helping the county's businesses develop their online skills. Its website includes a forum where members can exchange information on best practice - on the best way of conducting internet transactions, for example. There are also interesting case studies on local companies who've ventured into e-commerce and some very useful links to sites on how to promote your business online.
CBI Wales
http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/Regions.nsf
The Confederation of British Industry Wales has an extensive section within the organisation's UK website. The Wales pages include consultation responses submitted to the National Assembly and details of upcoming events. Another feature is the policy briefings section which holds information about Wales such as SMEs, transport, innovation and developments in progress.
Know How Wales
http://www.knowhowwales.com
Know-How Wales aims to promote collaboration between business and the higher education sector. Its website offers access to a database of automotive expertise, organisations and individuals in the biotechnology sector and related support services in Wales; programmes and specialist support services related to innovation and technology in Wales; and contract research, analytical, testing and technical support services. It also has a 'business surgery' for solving problems.
Mid Wales Events
www.midwalesevents.co.uk.
Events and festival organisers across Mid Wales are being encouraged to market their event to a world wide audience by registering event details via this website. The Mid Wales Events team collate events and festivals information for use by tourism businesses, groups and organisations - in fact anyone with an interest in marketing the region. The website has a wealth of information and even includes an 'Events this Week' listing, monthly events features, plus an advanced search facility to find events by date, type, or town.
Suggested by Fiona Harris
Mid Wales Manufacturing Group
http://www.mwmg.org
The Mid Wales Manufacturing Group describes itself as being run 'by manufacturers for manufacturers to promote the image, status and importance of manufacturing industry to the economy of the Mid Wales region'. Its bilingual website seems to be updated regularly and includes details of upcoming meetings, conferences and seminars. Other useful info includes details of manufacturing courses at local colleges and notes on changes in the law which will affect businesses.
Powys.biz
http://www.powys.biz/index.htm
This website is dedicated to business and commerce in Powys. It has sections about the county and an extensive and easily browsed business directory with 18 sub-sections.
Suggested by Chris Smith
Presteigne Business
http://www.presteignebusiness.co.uk
Dan Price has set up this new website for local businesses in Presteigne. The site has potential for business in Presteigne, it is easy to register and link to an article as well as to a website and will provide a useful service to the community if enough businesses register.
Robert Owen Montgomeryshire Credit Union
http://www.romcul.co.uk
This informative website has details about the Robert Owen Montgomeryshire Credit Union including sections on saving and borrowing, the history of the credit union and its organizational structure.
Suggested by G Thomas from Welshpool
Shared Apprentice Scheme
http://www.sharedapprentices.com
Based in Newtown, the shared apprentices scheme was set up seven years ago to help combat a shortage of manufacturing technology skills in Mid Wales. Visit its website if you're an employer looking for an apprentice or if you're actively looking for an apprenticeship yourself - there were 11 vacancies in October 2003.
Technium Aberystwyth
www.technium.co.uk/aberystwyth
Technium Aberystwyth aims to nurture new and fledgling companies, and support high tech spin-outs and knowledge-based businesses, by providing a supportive environment within which businesses can develop the strongest foundations and acquire best practice.
Tattum Guest Associates
http://www.tattumguest.com/
This is a site for Tattum Guest Associates Ltd which provide free advice to small to medium sized businesses in Powys.
Suggested by Dafydd Evans from Llangadfan
Check out our listings section for details of local business seminars and events.
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Have you set up your own business? Has it been a hard slog - or easier than you thought? Has it been worth it? Share your entrepreneurial experiences and we'll publish your story on the site. Get in touch by emailing us at wales.mid@bbc.co.uk.
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