In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer, Andrew Diplock, chair of Caerphilly Business Forum, discusses an upcoming event to help new businesses

There has been plenty of talk about the phenomenon of social media and how businesses can use it to their benefit.
Of course, a lot of new things are accompanied by a lot of hype but not always tangible evidence. The power of social media, however, was demonstrated on Caerphilly Business Forum’s Linked In platform last autumn.
It started quite simply with a posting suggesting there ought to be an event organised to help people wanting to start new businesses in the borough, somewhere they could get solid, practical advice from people in the business community who have already done it themselves.
Others agreed and the idea snowballed on Linked In with some excellent contributions on how to deliver it. Now the event is really happening and is well into the planning stages.
Called New Year, New Start, it will be held at Tredomen Business and Technology Centre in Ystrad Mynach on February 10 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Anyone can come along and get professional advice on everything from how and where to apply for business grants to finding premises, services such as lawyers and accountants, and all the aspects of marketing a business. And it will be an excellent networking opportunity for everyone involved.
Many people have already offered themselves as advisors but we still want more. We’re also busy getting the word out to those wanting to set up their own business but in both these things we need your help to tell as many people as possible about the event.
So please get onto your networks – Linked In, Facebook, Twitter and the business grape vine – and tell everyone that it is happening. And as more detail emerges, please pass this information on too.
Remember, this is an idea entirely arising from Caerphilly business community and it’s up to us to make it work, so any assistance will be most gratefully received.
Andrew Diplock
Chairman, Caerphilly Business Forum
For more information about Caerphilly Business Forum and its events call 029 2125 1395 or email leah@cbforum.co.uk