Member panels
Have your say and stay ahead of the game
 
Communications Director - Your VoiceOnly 5% of businesses feel that the current regulatory framework is beneficial to their businesses. This is your opportunity to have a voice in government, influence the people who can make a difference and shape future legislation.

"If you've ever felt that your voice was not heard, that your opinion was unimportant and nothing would change anyway - think again. We've found the member panels invaluable as a tool to not only get your point over but to the right people, too!"

- Forum member Sam McCallum, partner at Hartwood Oak Buildings

Do you often read about what the Government's up to and have a thing or two to say about it? Now you can have your say AND help to support our campaigns. All you need is a spare five minutes every few months to let us know what you think about a business issue.
 
We have recently reorganised the panels to make them more relevant to the changing business landscape, looking at the increased cost of business, finance and local issues as well as government legislation. The panels help us to lobby for our members needs. By joining a member panel, you can get involved in influencing this process.
 
Benefits to members
  • Available to all levels of members, from Introductory to Expert
  • The ability to make an impact on future policy-making in government
  • An opportunity to have your say on the issues you feel strongly about
  • The satisfaction of knowing your views and opinions will be heard where it matters, whether it's at local, national or European government level
  • A chance to unite with other small businesses in the UK on issues important to SMEs
 

What's involved?

When you sign up to a panel you will receive a short email questionnaire once or twice a year, which will take around five minutes to complete. We may also occasionally send you an email about proposed changes to legislation.
 

Which panels can I join?

You can join as many of the following panels as you want. Each panel will be contacted once or twice a year, so the more you join, the more involved you'll be!
 
Employment Our Employment Panel recently reported directly to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills about their feelings on pensions, mediation and resolving workplace disputes.
Environment Our latest research showed that smaller firms often had effective environmental strategies that often went unnoticed as they had not been formalised.
Export services We are establishing an export panel to ensure that smaller businesses can get access to the support they need to start or increase sales overseas.
Finance and cashflow This panel has been extended to include banks and the rising cost of doing business, as well as late payment.
Health and safety We are currently consulting with the Health and Safety Panel about the impact of the Young Review and what the next step towards improving workplace safety should be.
Local issues This panel will look at Local Enterprise Partnerships, crime, business rates and council services to businesses in your area.
Marketing Research into the cost effectiveness of marketing and examples of best practice to help panel members stay ahead of the game.
Product development To make the Forum's products and services more relevant and competitive, we are asking business owners give us their feedback on a number of potential products, to ensure that they add real value to membership.
Tax and budget Our last two panels picked up the need for fairness and growth in the taxation system, concepts which were then picked up in the last two Budgets.
Training and skills Our last panel highlighted a skills gap in finance and management training as well as the difficulties small, niche firms have in accessing training from educational establishments.
Scotland (new) This panel will look at the issues affecting small businesses in Scotland, helping to inform our lobbying work in Holyrood and the Scottish Government.
 
To sign up to any of our member panels, you MUST be a member of the Forum. Join now or call us on 0845 612 6266 to find out more.
 
Members log in to sign up to a member panel today.
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Campaign issues of interest
  Employment
  Environment
  Export services
  Finance and cash flow
  Health and safety
  Local issues
  Marketing
  Product development
  Tax and budget
  Training and skills
  Scotland