Toolkit: Looking for help

Phil H · Posted: 24th May, 2007 8:40 am UTC Post subject: Toolkit: Looking for help

Marketing & PR. Getting customers and keeping them without breaking the bank. (2007) Philip R Holden and Nick Wilde. London, A&C Black.

Toolkit: Looking for help

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of places to look for help for the small business – some of which are mentioned in the text of these chapters. A great starting point is the latest edition of the Good Small Business Guide (A & C Black, 2006) which has within its pages more resources than we can fit here.

There is a good deal of practical advice that small business owners across the UK can tap into. England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland each have government funded organisations, with an additional body serving the Highlands and Islands. All of these offer similar services for small businesses, including aspects of marketing. It’s also possible to find grants and low interest loans in many areas for certain kinds of business. Remember these organisations are there to give you help and, if they can, money – so ask!

England
The Business Link organisation (www.businesslink.gov.uk) gives advice on all aspects of business, from start up to selling. It includes information on rules and regulations for business in general and for specific sectors as well, although the website is not completely comprehensive.
Among the Business Link services is consultancy which may be wholly or partly funded by third parties such as the Prince’s Trust. These services are delivered by local Business Link organisations based around the country, and you can find your local branch by visiting the website or calling 0845 600 9 006.
The Business Link site also has details of the nine Regional Development Agencies that serve England – some of these have advice and information, especially if your business is relocating.
The Small Business Service (www.sbs.gov.uk) in England is the agency that runs Business Link and its website contains more on policy and statistics than practical advice.

Scotland
In Scotland, the main source of help and advice is Scottish Enterprise (www.scottish-enterprise.com). Its site covers business start up, financial issues, e-business, marketing and innovation, among other things. To contact an advisor, visit the website or call 0845 607 8787 from within Scotland or 0141 228 2000 from elsewhere.
Like Business Link and the SBS, the Scottish Enterprise site contains some information about grants available to small businesses. Its equivalent of Business Link is Business Gateway (www.bgateway.com) and this offers more practical advice and free consultancy. Details are on the website, or call 0845 609 6611.
Also in Scotland, the Highlands and Islands Network (www.hie.co.uk) offers a great deal of advice, often on a very localised basis, including sources of finance as well as help in starting and growing a business.

Wales
In Wales, Business Eye (Llygad Busnes) runs a wide range of events for business and has nearly 30 local centres for free advice. You can find out more at www.businesseye.org.uk or by calling 08457 96 97 98.

Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland (www.investni.com) offers similar information to the organisations above, as well as free events and service like Business Link called NIbusinessinfo (www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk). It can be contacted on 0800 027 0639.
Finally, the network of the Chambers of Commerce in the UK is very well developed and has over 60 local branches as well as good international links. On their website (www.chamberonline.co.uk) you can find out about membership, locate your local chamber and enquire about services they offer, which include insurance, e-business and skills development.

Now, please post your comments and experience. Do you have any useful sources of information for small businesses and organisations?
Share them here.

(c) 2007 Philip R Holden & Nick Wilde