Lending an ear
As a member-led organisation, the FSB is setting up a survey panel to collate the views and wishes of thousands of small business owners. Tim Gillett reports
FOR MANY YEARS THE FSB HAS BEEN listening to members' needs and wishes, which have guided its political lobbying and policymaking activities.
Now it is planning to take things one step further, by creating a member-based survey panel that will provide a wide-ranging and upto-date view of SME owner/managers' views and wishes.
FSB members have been alerted to the creation of the survey, which is aimed at enlisting the help of thousands of FSB members on a monthly basis. The FSB's Policy Chairman John Walker explained: ‘In a recession we know that business people are more pushed for time as they devote more energy to running their companies, but they still have strong views on matters relating to their business activities.
‘Our intention is to make the monthly survey as easy and quick as possible to complete – but to make it as relevant as possible to the needs of SMEs.'
Members who agree to be part of the survey panel will receive monthly emails; these will contain a list of questions relevant to business matters, as well as results of previous months' surveys and details of how previous surveys are being used to influence the FSB policy unit's activities, including political lobbying.
Mr Walker said: ‘Our aim is to create a direct line of communication between small businesses – our members – and policy-makers across the UK.
‘No other business group has done anything like this on this scale, showing once again that the FSB is the definitive voice of small business in this country. It will be an effective way to speak directly to decision-makers.'
He continued: ‘We believe this initiative will have added importance with a general election coming up in the early part of next year.
There could be a massive shift in the political landscape and this is an opportunity for the Federation of Small Businesses to bring the views of SMEs to the top of the agenda.'
The FSB has enlisted the help of the polling and research giant ICM to run the survey – a move that Mr Walker says will lend additional gravitas to the project.
He said: ‘Having ICM on board gives us authority and credibility, and having the backing of such a well-known name will also help to gain additional media coverage for the FSB and its political activities.
‘We look forward to seeing the results of the first survey, and strongly urge members to become part of the panel. We are sure it will be very worthwhile, and will greatly benefit the FSB and its membership in years to come.'
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