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If you are considering setting up a new
business or are an established business, there are a host of
business support and advice services available.
Business Link is a government-funded service
designed to promote enterprise. Whether you are already running or
growing a business or just starting out, Business Link is the place
to go.
Research shows that a business that uses professional external
advice is likely to increase its turnover and profitability more
than one that doesn't.
Harnessing the benefits of the range of business support services
available in the market is a huge task for any business owner; time
to understand, research and select what best suits their business
needs now and for the future.
Business Link's aim is to provide businesses with relevant services
from the broadest range of public and private sector business
support services at a national, regional and local level.
They understand your problems, challenges and goals and provide
information and advice to help you make the most of your business
opportunities.
Their support is independent and impartial, and most services
are provided free of charge.
The Government have launched an on-line procurement course
"Winning the Contract". This is a FREE resource to help businesses
(and in particular SMEs) learn about public procurement and how to
bid for public sector contracts. The course can be accessed via the
Business Link website here businesslink.gov.uk/procurement.
Business Link services for the
future
The regional Business Link service will close on
25th November 2011 and customers will be served by a web-based
national service.
From November 2011, the Business Link website -
www.businesslink.gov.uk
- will be updated to provide easy-to-use, tailored information to
help you start-up, improve or grow your business. New features will
include:
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A 'growth and improvement' service to make your
business work better including: 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
-
If you are planning to start a business, or know
someone who is, a whole new area of the Business Link website
called 'My New Business' will provide tailored information and
training to guide people through the process
-
If you are a business that needs support or a
business professional who can offer support,
www.mentorsme.co.uk can
help you connect with each other. Mentorsme connects companies with
mentoring organisations that can support and guide their
growth
From 25th November, if you are unable to access the
internet or have difficulty in doing so, you can ring the Business
Link helpline on 0845 600 9 006. Although it will not offer you the
kind of personalised support previously available via your regional
Business Link service you will be able to get answers to your
business questions.
12 Easy steps to get the information you
need
-
Find out what Finance is available. Try out the
new interactive ' Finance Tool' which collates the most common
questions from business owners and offers a definitive answer such
as how to manage your cash flow, information on attracting
investors, and a range of advice and finance options now available
at
www.businesslink.gov.uk/finance
-
Do you want help starting your business? There's
a good template for writing a business plan at
My New Business, our comprehensive start-up
service, providing all the information you need to start your
business including a personalised start-up checklist, online
guides, interactive tools, video case studies and online
tutorials
-
Do you want to grow your business?- Go to
Growth & Improvement Service to find all
the information and support you need with access to new diagnostic
tools, a business support finder, online tutorials, and signposting
to discussion forums and events in your local area.
-
Want to find a business mentor? All you need to
do is log on to
www.mentorsme.co.uk. If
you are a business that needs support or a business professional
who can offer support, the site can help you find the right
organisation to work with.
-
Want to find a business support event near you?
Go to ' Events Finder' , providing free access to local
and national events, workshops and training opportunities. On this
site you may be able to advertise your event or business training.
Click here to complete the Event organiser
application form.
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Want to browse the most useful business tools
available on the web? A new interactive
' Business Tool Finder' - will:
-
help answer your business-specific
questions
-
review your business performance
-
fulfil your legal business
requirements
-
connect you to other online
resources
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Are you interested in Exporting? - A new
' Exporting Tool' is available to help you
understand how to take the first steps. If you are already
exporting, check out the new practical 'Exporting Tool' which
will help you plan ahead.
-
Boost your business presence, try the
' Social Media Tool' for ideas on how to
enhance your presence and measure success.
-
'Customer Insight Tool' helps you to make
the best use of the information you hold on your customers. This
new tool will provide you with a number of ideas on how to
capture customer data and customer insights that will inform
your growth strategy.
-
' Business Health Check Tool', will provide
you with access to information and resources, targeted to your
specific business growth needs. Whether you've recently started
a business or are at a crossroads, this tool can point you in
the right direction to grow your business.
-
A ' Business Support Finder' can help you find
publicly-funded sources of financial assistance and free or
subsidised advice services.
If you need help finding the information you need
go to the Help pages on the Business Link
website
for information on what to do next.
Invest Essex leads on a variety of activity that
contributes to the right conditions to allow Essex businesses to
grow, prosper and sustain themselves.
From the management of four Enterprise Centres and
the Essex Technology and Innovation Centre to the facilitation of
the Greater Essex Prosperity Forum to enable Essex businesses to be
heard by county, regional and national government, Invest Essex is
playing its part in supporting the County's businesses now and into
the future.
For further information visit the Invest
Essex website.
The Business Information Service at Essex
Libraries offers a wide range of resources to help those
doing business in Essex. Whether you are starting up or run an
established business we can help with all the information you need.
We can provide you with a tailor-made business start-up pack;
provide information on companies and markets, customers and
competitors, products and suppliers. You can view a British
Standard, order a mailing list or a credit check, request tender
information or market research. We can even register your new
company. You can also access leading online business resources -
free of charge. We provide a fast, accurate and confidential
service, seven days a week. All services are either free or charged
at very competitive rates.
For more information contact:
Louisa Steel
Business Information: Audience Development Officer
Essex County Council Libraries Business Information Service
01245 492535
www.essex-business.info
business.information@essex.gov.uk
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