Helping businesses start, grow and prosper
October 2011
Seventh Edition
Welcome to the Business Improvement Programme Newsletter
Over the last month we have been working on changes to Business Link involving various business stakeholders and diversity groups in our work
Further information is provided below.
Business Link is changing – not closing!
Whilst the regional Business Link advisory service will close on the 25 November 2011, the Business Link website is being significantly enhanced and will provide improved, comprehensive support to businesses. New online services will be launched in November.
If you are an established business we will be offering you a growth and improvement service which includes tools to help you diagnose and solve business problems, a business support finder, tutorials and video case studies, information on events in your area and links to business discussions and other services.
In last month’s newsletter we provided details of new services for those looking to start a business. A whole new area of the Business Link website will provide a comprehensive start up service including online training and a starting up task list to guide people through the process. We have been showcasing this to Local Enterprise Partnerships and to colleagues in the National Enterprise Network. The feedback has been very positive so far and we hope to be able to give you a sneak preview next month!
Mentoring is helping businesses to grow
Running a business can be lonely at times. When making important decisions, it’s useful to have someone to talk to – someone who could take an objective and independent view – someone with real business experience. This is where a mentor can help.
Mentorsme.co.uk, the new mentoring portal, is already proving successful in connecting companies with mentoring organisations that can support and guide their growth. Through this new portal, small businesses are now able to find the right mentor for their needs.
Here are some examples of how mentoring can really help businesses grow:
Conrad Thornton founded Green Street Media in 2010 - he found a mentor via Sheffield's Entrepreneur Exchange, one of the organisations on mentorsme. Conrad says his meetings with his mentor have been “inspirational”. He adds: “The support and encouragement that I have received have really helped me in expanding my business and improving our brand identity.”
Paul Richards found a mentor through PRIME Cymru, another organisation on the portal, when setting up his house removal/ clearance and office relocation business. Paul found that his mentor’s guidance made a real difference to his approach to business, helping him to “look at the bigger picture to maximise my service to its fullest potential. He suggested things I hadn’t considered”.
Business Coaching for Growth on course to deliver!
This is a new service which we are developing, which will target businesses with high growth potential and provide coaching to help identify the barriers they face and plan for growth.
During August and September we held a series of ‘competitive dialogue’ discussions with potential providers. These discussions are helping us to shape the nature of the service and ensure that it reflects customer needs. Invitations to Submit Final Tenders will be issued in early October with the five consortia now bidding for the service having until early November to respond. We are aiming to announce preferred bidder status by the end of November.
Start spreading the News
We need your help to make sure everyone is aware of the changes ahead. Our new tool-kit sets out our key messages. Do you have a newsletter or bulletin that you send to network members or colleagues? If so, you can access the link below and help us to make sure SMEs still know where to go for information and advice after November. We will be adding more materials shortly, such as a leaflet, PowerPoint slides and a voice file.
www.bis.gov.uk/policies/enterprise-and-business-support/business-improvement/toolkit
Recent Activity
New! The Accountants mean business
A new Business Advice Scheme from the Institute Chartered Accounts in England and Wales (ICAEW) has been launched. ICAEW has over 13,800 practicing firms advising businesses in every part of the UK and in every sector. Over 2,000 offices of ICAEW firms have been brought together from across the country to participate in this scheme.
What can they offer?
• An initial meeting to discuss a business issue at no cost.
• Help in finding a local participating firm. The process requires completing a form on businessadviceservice.com. They will then contact you to set up a meeting after which it is up to both parties to decide whether they wish to continue.
• A comprehensive list of web pages covering start-up and early stage business issues including commentary on the possible outcomes. For further information visit www.icaew.com/businessadvice
Get the proof that your business is best. Don't miss out - entry is now open for the 2012 awards and the closing date is 31st October 2011. Winners will be announced in April 2012.
Are you the best in your field? We are encouraging businesses to gain recognition by applying for The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. These are highly prestigious awards for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development. A separate award, the Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion is awarded to individuals.
For an application form or more information, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/queensawards and if you need any advice, call the helpline on 02072156880
Business Improvement Programme - Who we are & What we do
This monthly newsletter provides information about changes to the way the Government provides support to people who want to start and grow their business. The changes ensure all businesses have the information to succeed. For further information visit http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/enterprise-and-business-support/business-improvement
Tell us what you think about the Business Improvement Newsletter
Thank you for your feedback - we are continuing to change the newsletter to reflect your comments. Tell us what you think of this edition complete the short survey here or e-mail your comments on the news articles and the toolkit to businessimprovement@bis.gsi.gov.uk
Useful links
- Access to Finance – find out about funding opportunities for SMEs.
- Local Enterprise Partnerships - led by local authorities and businesses to provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership to drive sustainable private sector growth.
- Solutions for Business – find out more about the range of publicly funded products and services designed to help businesses to identify and overcome key challenges.
- Enterprise Directorate – find out more about our work across Government and the regions to develop and influence policies to boost enterprise, start ups and small business growth
Connect with BIS
We publish this newsletter to keep you up-to-date with progress on the delivery of the Business Improvement Programme. The BIS Bulletin sets out the wider work of BIS to help build a more dynamic and competitive economy
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