Plenty Of Help For Small And Medium Sized Businesses (smes)

A pressure group that aims to promote the interests of small businesses in the UK has launched a campaign designed to celebrate the country's entrepreneurs.

The Federation of Small Business has said it wants to celebrate "real life entrepreneurs" who take the risk of following an idea, start up on their own and work to grow a business. Starting next Monday, a roadshow will visit various locations across England to provide advice and networking support to independent workers.

As part of the events, serial entrepreneur and regular Financial Times columnist Mike Southon will speak about the main themes of the FSB's manifesto. Key areas include reducing and simplifying tax issues faced by small businesses, taking a new approach to regulation, and opening up export markets.

FSB chairman John Walker wants to see an "atmosphere of entrepreneurship" created in the UK, allowing anyone with a good idea to potentially set up and run their own business.

He said: "In short, turning a good idea into a business is one of the most positive acts an individual can perform for themselves and the community in which they live."

Earlier this month David Cameron praised the courage of people who "turn their back on the security of a regular wage", and look to succeed on their own by starting a company. The Prime Minister said he believed the UK was "fizzing with business potential".

As a result of the efforts from SMEs to stay afloat during these tough economic times, social networking website Facebook is offering free advertising space to them, in an effort to lend a helping hand with growth.

In a speech to a conference in Munich this week, Facebooks Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg explained that 50,000 small firms across Europe will be given the option of claiming credits worth $100 (80) to use on the website, potentially allowing them to reach a wider audience.

Her remarks came after a report from Deloitte indicated that Facebook assisted with the creation of 32,500 new jobs in the UK last year, adding around 2.2bn to the British economy. Facebook will also run a series of events with the British Chambers of Commerce over the course of this year.

Facebook is about a lot more than sharing pictures or keeping up with friends, she said. As the Deloitte study highlights, social media is proving particularly valuable for small and medium-sized businesses, which form the backbone of the European economy.