Business Link driven by 3,000 years' experience (From Watford Observer)

Business Link driven by 3,000 years' experience

8:30am Friday 26th June 2009 in

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With 3,000 years of experience inside Business Link in the East of England, there has never been a better time for the region’s SMEs and entrepreneurs to tap into the skills and expertise of its Advisers and Enterprise Champions to help them thrive, prosper and grow their way out of the unstable economy.

Business Link Chairman, Chris Parkhouse, said: “With over 120 Advisers and Enterprise Champions, we have notched up over 3,000 years of invaluable business experience in a vast range of sectors and in diverse and interesting roles.

” Most have run their own businesses and others have spent much of their career in senior positions with global blue chip companies. There’s a huge amount of knowledge on offer to help local businesses compete and survive in today’s tough times.

“Last year alone, 108,082 businesses and entrepreneurs in the region dipped into the Business Link service and 88 per cent (which is above the national average) told us that it made a significant and positive impact on their business. Indeed independent market research has told us that 73 per cent of customers state that they would actively recommend Business Link to others; this result is on a par with some of the very best brands in the UK”.

At the disposal of the region’s businesses and entrepreneurs are:

• Trained advisers and sector specific knowledge: Last year advisers provided in-depth, one-to-one advice to 5,607 customers. Many businesses don’t realise that the objective and impartial advice of 90 Advisers is completely free of charge. The skilled and qualified team have experience and knowledge in a range of sectors and areas of business, such as high-tech engineering, ICT, health care and the creative industries.
• An information and intelligence centre: Over 75,000 enquiries were dealt with by phone based and online advisers last year. No matter where businesses are based, or what sector or type of company they are, all can call the regional centre for local, national and global business-related information. The centre makes the process of finding information straight-forward and gaining in-depth intelligence on key things such as competitor analysis, credit searches and trade mark checks effortless.
• Free workshops and seminars: Businesses may be less inclined to invest in developing skills during the current economic climate, which is why all workshops and seminars are free - the only investment needed is time. Just over 19,000 delegates attended workshops last year on a range of topics including finance, marketing, HR and starting a business.
• Help to start a new business: Last year Business Link helped over 7,000 new businesses to flourish. Over 50 per cent of the calls into the information centre are from people thinking of starting a business. Many have been made redundant or simply want to find out more about working for themselves as a potential career option. Entrepreneurs can get start-up advice and help over the phone, online or by attending one of the free ‘Starting your own business’ workshops. Over 4,000 bookings have already been received for the start-up workshops in the April-September 09 schedule.

Parkhouse added: “In my experience, when a business wants advice it wants one of three things: to be able to call and speak directly to someone who can help; to be able to access information and resources; or to sit down with an Adviser to discuss their options in person. Business Link is the gateway to all of this and by calling 08457 17 16 15 accessing it is simple.

“We have had an amazing two years with overwhelming performance results and positive feedback from customers and partners across the East of England. Our third year has commenced in the same vain and it is therefore with confidence that the Board will bid for a new contract when the current one falls due for renewal in April 2010.“