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Small Firms Association

The Small Firms Association (SFA) is the national organisation exclusively representing the needs of small enterprises (i.e. those employing less than 50 employees) in Ireland. The SFA is funded directly through subscription fees from its 8,000 member companies. As a full social partner, it directly meets government at the table and interacts with key decision-makers at all levels to ensure that the economic environment is conducive to small business establishment and development. The SFA secures the best deal for small firms by providing dedicated professional support and by offering an unparalleled range of services to members, including economic, commercial, employee relations and social affairs advice and assistance. Members Contacts – Advice and Assistance The most popular service used by members is the direct contact to the SFA. In 2009 the SFA dealt with 46,335 (telephone and correspondence) enquiries from its members. SFA Executive staff provided one to one direct consultations with 2,370 member companies. Areas of advice and consultation include: - Rates of Pay - Contracts/Conditions of Employment - Discipline and Dismissals - Rights Commissioner/Employment Appeal Tribunals - Employment Legislation - Health and Safety - Debt Management - Managing Insurance / Managing IT & Environmental Management SFA Website In 2009 the SFA website provided information and services on-line to members in a user friendly format. The website has the ability to book all events on-line and continues to provide excellent information and publications on a range of HR and business issues. The site also includes a Members Discount Scheme area that allows SFA members to advertise their products and services. During 2009 the SFA website received 3,370, 715 hits to the site. SFA National Centre of Excellence Roadshows & Training Programmes The SFA’s National Centre of Excellence provided best – in – class management training to 2, 265 SFA member companies during 2009, courses designed specifically for the needs of small enterprises. All courses were heavily subsidised by FAS. SFA National Small Business Awards – www.sfa.ie/awards The awards ceremony of the "SFA National Small Business Awards 2009” was held on the 5th of March, with Guest of Honour, the Patron of the Awards, An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, T.D. The forty finalists of the awards 2009 programme attended a Strategic Management Masterclass and Intensive Media training day as part of their prize package. The overall winner Connemara Seafood also received a lifetime of SFA membership. SFA Briefing Sessions A number of briefing sessions were held during 2009. Topics included: Marketing in a Downturn, Google Online Advertising, Public Procurement Bid Management Training, Corporate Healthcheck Seminar, PR Workshop for Small Firms and a Commercial Law Seminar. A number of presentations were made to various groups throughout Ireland on various employment law topics. SFA Publications SFA Rates of Pay & Conditions of Employment Report SFA Environmental Management Guidelines SFA M – Worker Guidelines SFA Contracts of Employment Managing Insurance: A Guide for Small Business SFA Health & Safety Posters SFA Guide on Writing A Safety Statement “How to Get Paid on Time” SFA Corporate Governance Guidelines SFA Guide on “Sources of Finance” SFA Employment Law Guidelines SFA Succession Planning Guidelines A Comprehensive Guide to Recruitment & Personnel Records SFA Guide on HR Management IT Management Guidelines for Small Business SFA News Update / E-zines A-Z Pocket Guide to Health and Safety for Small Business CPA Guidelines for SFA Members SFA Workplace Health Tool Kit to Assist Small Businesses Owner Manager Magazine This magazine is published bi-monthly and it is distributed to all SFA members free of charge. Backbencher In 2009 the SFA issued two “Backbencher” newsletters to all Ministers, TD’s, MEP’s and Senators. The newsletter informs our elected representatives of the ongoing issues and concerns of small business in Ireland. Members to Members Business Evenings The Members to Members Business Evenings are an informal event for members and guests. Members may also bring along colleagues or clients. The purpose of the evening is to provide members with an opportunity to network and develop business contacts. Members are encouraged to bring along literature/leaflets outlining the services and products supplied by and manufactured in their enterprises, which they feel, would be of benefit to other members. A guest speaker is invited to address the event and guests. Two successful evenings were held in Dublin with the focus of the May event being on Digital Marketing and the importance of it for SMEs and in December our Guest of Honour was, Mark Coleman, well-known economic commentator with Newstalk 106-108fm and the Sunday Independent. Annual Conference and Annual Lunch Two major events in the SFA calendar are the Annual Conference and Annual Lunch. These are the largest events that the Association holds. The Conference addresses factors that are impacting on the Irish business model, those that have hindered competitiveness, development, expansion and how small businesses must adapt to changing market realities and face up to new opportunities and threats. The Conference is about owner-managers and their business - the day is informative, challenging, and interesting. It offers owner-managers of small firms around the country an opportunity to come together to meet business colleagues, exchange views and learn from each other’s experiences. The title of the conference in 2009 was "Beyond the Crisis". The Annual Lunch is the largest business lunch held in Ireland with over 1,200 members attending the event every year. There have been a number of distinguished guest speakers over the years. In 2009, the Guest of Honour was the American Ambassador to Ireland, his Excellency Daniel M. Rooney. SFA Surveys/Reports In order for the SFA to be up to date with the business problems facing member companies and to assist us in informing the media and lobbying to Government, the SFA carry out various surveys and reports. This information is compiled from member companies and once completed all reports are made available to members. Some recent surveys include: - Rates of Pay & Conditions of Employment Survey - Quarterky Business Sentiment Surveys Spring / Summer / Autumn / Winter - SFA National Small Business Awards Survey of past entrants Representational Role Social Partnership The SFA is a full social partner and has representation on the: - Social Partnership Plenary Council - Social Partnership Steering Committees Submissions When promoting, defending and fighting for the interest of small business, the SFA make a number of submissions to the relevant Government Departments and State Agencies. European SFA are members of Business Europe and UEAPME. Committee Work SFA has representation on a significant number of committees.

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Contact SFA
info@sfa.ie (01) 6051500

www.sfa.ie

Related News

16/03/2010: SFA comment on Management Development Report Launch by An Tanaiste

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