When it comes to getting support and advice for your business, size really doesn’t matter.

Business doesn’t stand still and there is always something new to learn or new ways of doing things that could improve the way a business operates.

Through the Centre for Business and the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, we have helped one-man bands and start-ups through to well-established businesses who employ hundreds of staff. The most important thing is that, whatever size the company is, the business is always looking at new ways to develop and expand, be it through entering new or international markets or exploring ways to diversify products or services to meet market needs.

Starting up in the world of business is a daunting task and there are a wealth of provisions in south Wales to offer support, encouragement, mentoring and useful advice to people new to running a business. I am proud to say that we have a thriving business community in Wales with real success stories.

Our recently held Welsh Business Awards are testament to this. The thirty-four businesses shortlisted are all boosting the Welsh economy, while also helping to develop workforce skills, contribute to youth and local community initiatives, minimise environmental impacts and represent Wales overseas through international trade. And these businesses are just a small reflection of other successful companies who make up this thriving community.

But if you’ve been running a business for 10, 20 or even 30 years, seeking advice and getting support is important too, and something you should definitely make time for. If you’ve grown from an acorn to an oak, you will know about evolving and adapting to a changing environment in order to survive.

But, experience doesn’t mean you should rest on your laurels and seeking support to enter an international market, for example, can be hugely beneficial, especially if the culture of the target market is different from here in Wales. Partnerships like the one the Chamber has with the China British Business Council is aimed at helping Welsh businesses market themselves in China, giving them a direct link with the lucrative Republic with the aim of boosting Welsh exports to the country.

As an established, or new, business, going along to a networking event may lead to new opportunities through making fresh contacts that can open the door to potential customers, and is again something you may find out about through business support. I know of many chance meetings at these kind of events that have led to the creation of long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships.

If you are looking to step up your business’ social media activity to engage with new and existing customers, but don’t have a dedicated person in post to do this then signing up to a training course or calling your local business support service is a good place to start as they will be able to provide you with advice on all things Twitter, YouTube and Facebook!

In Wales, we are small enough to offer a powerful sense of community for everyone running a business here, but we also have the ambition to think big and use our size as an advantage.

One example of this is the growing network of businesses affiliated with the South Wales Chamber of Commerce, where members are part of a family of businesses who can call on each other for support, advice and recommendations, regardless of their size. Businesses of all sizes and from all sectors can find common ground and share information on the challenges they face and lessons they have learnt from running a business.

As I said, nothing stands still in the world of business, and whether big or small, business support and advice is a vital component if a business is to continue on the road to success.