Exclusive: Business Link to be axed
By Jason Hesse, published 65 days ago in Leadership.
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- Mark Prisk: How to close the gap between business and academia
- Business Link: never fit for purpose
- Business Link closure: a grave mistake
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Mark Prisk, the business and enterprise minister, has exclusively told Real Business that Business Link will be shut down.
“The regional Business Links have spent too much time signposting and not enough time actually advising,” Mark Prisk told Real Business this morning. “We’re going to wind down the Regional Development Agencies, and as part of those, we’ll be winding down the regional Business Link contracts.”
To replace the current Business Link service, Mark Prisk proposes a two-pronged approach, led by a state-funded online service and the private sector.
Mark Prisk explained: “We can deliver a lot more online and make better use of the private providers. The vast majority of private businesses don’t use public services [for advice]. We need a 21st century approach to business support.”
This “21st century” approach will be spearheaded by an improved and simpler-to-use online service, accessible both on desktops and on mobiles, he added. This will be supported by a call centre, which will give people “that little bit of extra advice from wherever you are”.
Private sector provision of business advice will also become more important, Mark Prisk said. “This fits into the new system of local enterprise partnerships that we’re developing, it’ll be complementary to that.”
More specifically, Mark Prisk sees existing private-sector business support agencies – such as those linked to their local Chamber of Commerce or local authority – taking on a bigger role in providing face-to-face advice and networking.
“The idea that the government has to try and do the same is nonsense. We can make better use of the private providers. There’s a danger of the government trying to do what the private sector already does.”
With research showing that 80 per cent of private businesses already use private providers – rather than government tools – Prisk may have a point.
The fear, of course, is that smaller private businesses could be priced-out of the business advice market, but Prisk says this won’t happen.
“Remember that the vast majority or private businesses just don’t use public services [for advice]. They use the free things that are available to them anyway. For example, if you talk to members of Ecademy [Editor: or indeed Real Business!], they already use their business social network to secure advice and ideas for future contracts anyway.
“We have to think intelligently about enabling effective business support rather than about effectively running it.”
What do you think? Is this a good thing? Or will the new scheme be more of the same? Leave your comments below. And don't forget to check our analysis of Business Link.
96 comments.
G.mann 65 days ago.
Excellent,waste of money got to make savings, hammer the public sector waste
Trevor Edwards 65 days ago.
I've used Business Link for a number of years now and they've given me fantastic advice and helped my business almost double it's turnover. I import plant potting goods and supply them all over the country. If only more people realised how effecient their staff can be, rather than "hammering them for public waste" then the country would perhaps be in a better state than it is now.
Denise McCallum 65 days ago.
Actually think this was inevitable, but fully expect exactly the same stuff to replace it , just with a different name.
Mark 65 days ago.
I've used Business Link too quite a few times over the 12 years my company has been trading. Their staff are knowledgeable and helpful. Business Link is ideally placed within local areas to bring businesses together for strategic gain. Scrapping it, in my opinion, and replacing it with private sector support is a backwards step.
Brad Burton 65 days ago.
Damn good. Mark Prisk, we really ought to be speaking I'm MD of www.4networking.biz 200+ linked networking groups across UK. I'll make a beeline and aim at sitting down iwth you.
Michael 65 days ago.
Oh goody, yet another call centre to waste all day on hold !!!
AngelaHart 65 days ago.
I hate to say it butthe writing was on the wall a long time for Business Link. I agree with the concept of putting things online - when I have used Business Link it is to access their website to download information. Excellent. There self styled consultants I found to be a bunch of paper pushing know nothings that in my opinion were frankly a waste of time. Not sad to see the back of them!
Amy 65 days ago.
after trying to get biz advice from Bisiness Link for 18 months and having them never return my calls and then be told I wasnt eligible for advice as I was over 12 months old and didnt employ anyone I am all for closing this waste of money down!!
Karen Hensman 65 days ago.
Well I guess it was coming but they have been good to me, they have even referred local Client's to me when they felt they needed my services.
Mark Cable 65 days ago.
What Mr. Prisk has failed to realise is that although the private sector do provide Business support, they supply it at a commercial rate.....that most small businesses cannot afford....Business Link provided a GREAT service in the North West with free impartial advice and support, I for one any many of my Business Colleagues will be very sorry to see their demise....
Harry Clarke 65 days ago.
Business Link - Nice enough in a slow old buffer sort of way but nothing that couldnt be done far more effectively without all the flummery. There are books and websites and networking organisations that do all of what they did and more but more cheaply. A good call - a useful saving.
Harry Clarke 65 days ago.
Business Link - Nice enough in a slow old buffer sort of way but nothing that couldnt be done far more effectively without all the flummery. There are books and websites and networking organisations that do all of what they did and more but more cheaply. A good call - a useful saving.
Diane Pinchbeck 65 days ago.
Although I've recently been using Business Link re: new start up, I've found that more and more I'm using business experts advice found via social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter. Since then, I've not used Business Link once. I guess then the inevitiable is happening.
Laurence 65 days ago.
Well having been a user of Business Link services on so many occasions, I am disappointed to see them go. Fantastic range of speakers from different backgrounds, who provide expert advice without an agenda of self. Private businesses will always have an agenda, when giving advice.
Lisa 65 days ago.
I worked for Business Link for 7 years and daily saw the real postive difference we made to small businesses. Loads of money will be wasted in 're-branding' and re-directing business support and thousands of people will loose their jobs.
Dick 65 days ago.
Their service value depends entirely on the Link and the adviser. Certainly, target driven regimes that require one adviser to 'deal with' 70 companies will never offer a good service but where they have time to work with a company they can be very useful and effective. However, Mr Prisk seems to miss the point that lots of Links have contractual relationships with other agencies including Chambers of Commerce. I would also reinforce tMark Cable's comment that many SMEs can't afford advice at the rates charged by private sector agencies.
Rob 65 days ago.
I have to say that reading the comments on here in favour of Business Link is the first time I've ever heard anything positive about them. Most business people I speak with are of the consistent view that BL totally qualifies for the saying "If you can't do it, preach it".
edward ryder 65 days ago.
Bad news overall I think. The potential of Business Link really does rest in the hands of the advisors...which can be variable....just like the private sector. Get a good advisor though, and you can be onto a winner.
Paul wood 64 days ago.
Its interesting to read comments from the governmant about developing business support that fits the 21st century,. Do they not realise these local enterprise partnerships are the equivilant of the situation that ran in the North West over three years ago, with chambers of commerce and the like creaming off the money and no connection between neighbouring cities. Looks like we are going back to the post code lottery. I have used BL North West and could not have had better help and support, with their help I have employed additional staff whe were unemployed.
James Pennington 64 days ago.
I provide specialist support into Business Link around ebusiness support - th eproblem is small businesses will nto pay commercail rates - I agree that some advisors are a waste of time, but Business Link in the West Midlands has created various support programmes that provide access to the specialist advice that's required. On-line is great but it doesn't beat a face-face engagement with a specialist - hopefully something that small business will still be able to access. as long as the new - LEP get it right....
Stuart Davies 64 days ago.
If we look back the NECC and other groups were a few years ago running the show stifling growth and ensuring that all help on offer went through certain providers Business link does have a few issues but they are fair offer pretty good advise but are also happy to learn from business owners who have more experience Business link do have a contract to fulfil which I believe runs until 2012 so we won't see them go overnight should they stay? Yes, what should be looked at is those who control funding allocation
steve Clarke 64 days ago.
Such a shame... there are some very good elements of BL... some overly poor too.
Mark Linton 64 days ago.
I can't say this will be a great loss as I am sure many will agree that no one knows what they do and businesses are not able to get hold of any real support when it is needed.
steve Clarke 64 days ago.
James Pennington... sorry you are wrong. SME's will pay commercial rates providing they can see the value and return on investment.
Colin Newlyn 64 days ago.
So, what support do small businesses need? How it's provided is a structural issue driven by efficiency. Private provision is not any better than public provision if it is the wrong support and advice. It's just a lot more expensive for the user and cheaper for the government. Business Link has many detractors but a lot of private provision is pretty woeful too. I don't think this decision is going to change us into a nation of successful business people. But it will cut government expenditure.
Rich Mather 64 days ago.
Pile of pants! one thing I have learnt in business is to return a call or complete on a promise, Not this mob they cant even get the basics right. I have over the past twelve months been told I can get some funding to be told days later I can't at least five times. Get rid of the lot of em! And as for the business advice center in morpeth who advised me to speak to them!!!! The mind boggles!!!!
Alan Rae 64 days ago.
He seems to have forgotten that the Tories created it and in it's original version they were able to give in-depth advice from experienced advisers. New Labour systematically hamstrung it over a 13 year period so now they are prevented from doing anything terribly useful. It may be that there's so much free advice available from peers via networking organisations these days that we need something new.
Ian Chisnall 64 days ago.
My experience of Business Link was very positive. It was of course partly a matter of who I spoke to. The expectation of LEPs within the SE are that they will be a dangerous mix of local councillors and some business agencies. No doubt some will be excellent, and some will be dire, and most somewhere in between. Give me a Government that improves rather than replaces.
Ged Parker 64 days ago.
On the downside they promote just their 'products' and nothing else and only support a narrow range of favoured business, but they are far more consistent than other bodies and huge resources have been spent on systems that are getting more efficient at routing cases. Remember that most contacts from businesses are imprecise and exploratory. These calls will still be made. Reform them rather than abolish them
Dave 64 days ago.
A poor state of affairs and just goes to show how the government help small businesses. I never really thought that Business Link was that great anyway. I had a number of meetings with them got given paperwork to look through and ushered out of the door. I then set up http://www.salesandmarketingforums.co.uk for exactly this reason. Small businesses need a voice and currently they are not getting an adequate one. Dave
simon 64 days ago.
What about the people at a disadvantage that desperately want to start businesses to get out of poverty/off benefits/improve their lot - especially now there are no jobs for them? Young people, disabled people and single parents rely on publicly funded coaching and mentoring to help them start businesses because they have no other option. They cannot afford business advice and the same quality lottery applies. At least you know with BL you won't get ripped off. Once again the small guy suffers and the gap between the haves & have nots gets bigger.
Tina Hudson 64 days ago.
I have used Business Link alongside private providers. Being new in business I found all the courses and advice spot on from Business Link the information and course binders and trainers are first class, Private providers are fine if you can buy the best but its a minefield choosing. Business Link = Know,Like Trust.
Jason Barnett 64 days ago.
I think its good and bad, I'm sure there are bad advisors but for us it has been brilliant. As for SME's paying commercial rates I know there are many that would'nt seek the advice. As previous have said - rebranding, restructuring, redundancy etc all comes at a price. We have gained valuable advice and given business to suppliers via contacts through business link. Social Media and Networking may well pick up the pieces but as far as cost cutting, I'm not sure if this is the right one to cull?
Chris 64 days ago.
This concept of pushing everything online is misguided. In the East of England, some areas cant even get broadband coverage. How will they access help? The private sector has some excellent offers but it costs and advice to companies is skewed by the need to generate income as opposed to providing impartial advice. Business Links would be sorely missed by small businesses.
Abenna 64 days ago.
Everyone here has made a good point. But what is missing is that, small businesses and anyone thinking of starting a business calls Business Link looking for grants. When they do get the grant they say Business Link is useless or what a bad servive it is. Everybody wants to be spoon fed these days. Government don't give grants to small businesses, they don't care about them it the big sharks that matters. I wish Mark Prisk would actually speak to those on the frontline of Business Link.
David Cradduck 64 days ago.
Mixed feelings really - BL has certainly been a total waste of time and money in some ways but they organised some useful events locally which will be missed eg BeInspired, which was affordable to exhibit at. Privately run B2B exhibitions are far too expensive.
Charles Smee 64 days ago.
Mark Prisk's decision is correct. There are several privately run networks of highly qualified professionals who offer small businesses all the advice they could possibly require....often at very affordable rate Chambers of Commerce need to modernise and should become more dynamic and involve younger progressive business people. www.transactionfocus.com
Ken Rowles 64 days ago.
SME's have to live their business not just run their business (I always tell my clients if they can't put their family second for a while don't bother). There are too many people assisting businesses who have no idea what it is like to be self sufficient. Whatever politicians do in this arena most of the money invested will be consumed by 'non-motivated day work' individuals who wouldn't know a business risk if it was pinned to them. We can never get enough of the funding to the coal face!
Bob Garbett 64 days ago.
This is good news! Why would we need expensive government quangos when we have organizations like O4RB?
Anon 64 days ago.
Marks comments are dangerous and misleading. Business link is a trading name for a private not for profit company and have bought overheads down from 40% when run by chambers of commerce to 18% last year. Mark should stop spouting this drivel until a firm decision is on the governments agenda.
Rich 64 days ago.
Business Link gets a bad press because it is not all things to all men. There has to be a return on the investment, hence every mom and pop store or one man band cannot expect a massive grant . Before jumping in to slate Business Link and throwing the baby out with the bath water, would this type of support being delivered by Chambers of Commerce , or SERCO or whoever be noticeably better? Is this change , in fact just a way to justify cutting the costs of supporting small businesses in England by putting up a smoke screen that the current set up is broken?
Antony Golding 64 days ago.
Tried to use them a number of times an even attended a couple of seminars. Politicaly slanted and generally a waste of time other than for witnessing self gratification. In fact a prime example of the old saying ' those that can do. those that can't teach' I have been in business since 1973.
laurence ainsworth 64 days ago.
As a provider of business advice to SME's I have mixed feelings about losing Business Links. The focus on signposting to SME's was as a result of advice businesses complaining about competing with a "free" government service. With its demise I consider that the SERCO's of this world will step into the breach and effectively lock out providers such as myself by delivering from their in-house resources to maximise revenue. (If you were them isn't that what you'd do?)
laurence ainsworth 64 days ago.
As a provider of business advice to SME's I have mixed feelings about losing Business Links. The focus on signposting to SME's was as a result of advice businesses complaining about competing with a "free" government service. With its demise I consider that the SERCO's of this world will step into the breach and effectively lock out providers such as myself by delivering from their in-house resources to maximise revenue. (If you were them isn't that what you'd do?)
laurence ainsworth 64 days ago.
As a provider of business advice to SME's I have mixed feelings about losing Business Links. The focus on signposting to SME's was as a result of advice businesses complaining about competing with a "free" government service.With its demise I consider that the SERCO's of this world will step into the breach and effectively lock out providers such as myself by delivering from their in-house resources to maximise revenue. (If you were them isn't that what you'd do?)
Accountants 64 days ago.
This is fantastic news. BL=Inefficient nonsense. Key to change = don't make the same mistake twice.
http://www.strategyconsultinglimited.co.uk/ 64 days ago.
Excellent! About time. We have been members of numerous Business Link online systems to the private sector, and haven't had a bean from it for our Strategy and Marketing Consultancy services.
Mike Morrison 64 days ago.
I was a BL advisor for 6 years & left the org when we were told to stop giving advice and point to 3rd party providers we could not quality chack. Unless BL went back to the way it operated in the early days of BL, it is right to close it. You can get better advice from the private sector, however you need top be prepared to pay for it. days of free advice have gone!
Simon 64 days ago.
Erm, Business Link is run by Serco on behalf of HMRC!
Simon 64 days ago.
Erm, Business Link is run by Serco on behalf of HMRC
John T 64 days ago.
I note that the majority of people cheering the "potential" demise of Business Link are largely promoting their own sites. The most amusing / distressing comment relates to the person that gets their business information from Twitter & Facebook. Of course Business Link would be of no use to you, it uses long words without smileys! The Business Link site has innumerable tools that provide tangible benefits for businesses large and small such as http://online.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/stmtEmpLanding where you can get a complete written statement of employment for free
Tony 64 days ago.
"Erm, Business Link is run by Serco on behalf of HMRC!" Only in some parts of the country and then to a contract held by the local RDA and NOT HMRC The state of the Business Links today is due entirely to government meddling and their need to establish value for money in terms of numbers of businesses contacted, not results. Also is this article not just recycled from the Sunday Times afew weeks ago?
Anon 64 days ago.
It seems that the majority of people moaning about Business Link are clients who have received no financial funding from them or companies promoting their own services. Yes, there are things that could be changed but I'm sure this is true of every organisation. If the government want to cut costs why don't they start with themselves, by cutting numbers and ridiculous expenses. Making people redundant, who are not going to pay tax and claim dole money, Yes Mark Prisk that sounds like a great money saving idea!
Andrew Wilcox 63 days ago.
Enjoyed their networking events, workshops and seminars in Hampshire. Unfortunately it distorts the market when someone provides free events with food. Never really got the advisors. Some of their advice was way off the mark. Wrong question: How could government help SMEs? Start the other way round what SMEs do we need and develop them for that locale e.g. we are short of plastic moulders, foreign trade specialists, sustainable energy suppliers etc.
Anon 63 days ago.
Business Links are restricted due to Government dictating ridiculous targets that don't reflect what businesses really need, Prisk should find out what business want before being so quick to judge a service that is delivering what the Government is asking it to! Advisers are frustrated and would rather spend time advising, not signposting but Government targets need to be met, that is what needs to change. Advisers I have worked with have been professional, offering sound advice with a genuine passion for what they do,
Anon 63 days ago.
How many BL offices, Advisers and customers has Mark Prisk visited/spoken to?Advisers look for available grants to support businesses but the fact is that there is not funding for all businesses unless they are in a 'Priority Sector' a decision made by Government on who THEY think needs it. Prisk is quick to make big statements on what needs to change without bothering to consult with the BLs, it must be nice for the staff at BL to read this and then try to remain professional and motivated after being completely slated, what a true professional Mark Prisk is!
Johnny Was 63 days ago.
I think it's wonderful for Mr Prisk to make his announcement in the media. This is the FIRST formal notification that hundreds of BL employees have received about their FUTURE. IMHO Mr P obviously likes to see HIS name in print, no matter what the message, after all - he's OK. Many people now face even more worry in these troubled times, this is effectively their redundancy notice - surely they should have been formally notified BEFORE Mr P opened his mouth to the media. I wonder how many constructive dismissal and unfair dismissal actions are now being prepared.
Ian 63 days ago.
Free business advice from real advisers on the ground has been extremely useful - at a time when the country is looking to small firms to lead the recovery and mop up 100,000s of public sector redundancies, it would be a mistake to scrap this service.
James Saunders 63 days ago.
The advice and service that BL have given to us has been invaluable. They have helped source the best training providers . Online services DO NOT provide a personnel service and the danger is that standards will drop and also when looking for funding oportunities they have been fantastic. All the advisers have helped take the worry and time factors out of my day to day running of the business. The focus on growth for SME's is key to manufacturing in this country. Without the help and advice that BL offer SME's, there will be a decline in growth. A sad day for SME's.
Pascale Wood-Atkins 63 days ago.
In Bucks BL has been a great service and free. Advice is good. Supplier matching database has helped to create work locally. It's easy to criticise but I see no viable alternative being proposed. A website is useful but cannot replace human interaction. Call centres are a joke, and the third suggestion, the private sector. In other words we will either have to pay for the advice or go without. In tough times they promise SME's help, but this is just a kick in the teeth. I urge businesses to lobby for this decision to be reversed. We will only realise what we had once it is gone.
Ian McKendrick 63 days ago.
We'll be talking about this on The Business Hub show this Sunday. If you would like to add your comment to be included in our show you can do so here: http://cot.ag/9rhGTm Thank you
Louis XIV 63 days ago.
Scrapping RDA's and replacing them with LEP's is a complete folly at a time when we need to be maximising tax revenues. For every £1 spent on EEDA they return between £4.75 & £7 to the taxpayer via business growth, investment and innovation. Introducing LEP's at this stage would create an anarchic society, motivated by micro economic self interest.
Godfrey Evans 63 days ago.
Used BL NW for years and found them extremely proactive. Sometimes involves meeting different advisors to get one issue moving - but that is free and, ultimately beneficial to us and the local (UK in our case) economy. 'Private' providers would be prohibitively expensive and therefore would not happen. This move will cut costs in the short term for UK.gov but longer term will have a negative effect on SME's, possibly to the point of closure or being uncompetitve. The net result: migration of business overseas and increased unemployment. Think again Mr. Prisk!
Rich 63 days ago.
really funny to see Mr Strategyconsulting link dropper moaning about never getting a bean off BL - glad to see this strategic planner seeing the big SME picture
R. Rose 63 days ago.
This country is dependant upon small business and without Business Link, many small business would not succeed. We have used Business Link advisors for quite a few years and I have always found their professionalism and expertise excellent. They have helped my company grow enormously . They have alerted me to available grants I would not have know about otherwise, which definitely helps growth in any industry. This is not a well thought out decision in my view.
Anon 62 days ago.
Thank you Mr Prisk for arranging for the many Business Link employees to be informed of they upcoming redundancy before you announced it to the world. So thoughtful of you.
bob chuck 62 days ago.
I think Business Link are immense. In every sense of the word. People at Business Link have feelings, i know becasue it too have felt them. The feelings . not the people. Do you really like it ? and is it is it wicked . im loving it quite frankly
Anon 62 days ago.
I think Mr Prisk has taken a bit of a risk dont fix what isnt broken the business's have spoken They help SME's Grow in their industries now more poor employee's will face redundancies So thank you Mr Minister my tone now a little sinister Business Link is to my taste Not public sector waste !!
Anon 62 days ago.
Prisk is following the Richards report that says more services should be on line - whose company do you think would supply that on line support, surely not mr Richards'! I personally am sick of comments from competing "consultants and business specialists" who stick the knife in. They are self motivated and care more about their bottom line than the success of SME's in England
Harry Fortune 62 days ago.
BL have often provided me with great advice and support, but they are hamstrung by paperwork and targets and the model if IDB that they have to work to. (Information, Diagnostic, Brokerage). If they can provide meaningful advice or effective coaching surely it would be worth the fairly small (on a grand scale) investment? Call centres and websites, of course it's 21st Century, it's also much cheaper. Perhaps Business Advisers permanently on line skyping, tweeting, facebooking, blogging, using forums and answering calls would be better than one coming out to visit you?
Anon. 62 days ago.
I've been to private hospitals and found them to be much better than government funded ones. Why isn't the government making the NHS private as well while they are at it?
Jim Liptrot 62 days ago.
I understand the feelings of people that feel this is a waste of money and there's no accountability, however like any organisation the effectiveness comes down to the people. My previous experience of Business Link was not good, however in my current role with my company in Bolton the support has been nothing short of superb and we really are making excellent progress. Everyone who has come directly from Business Link, or has been brought in via Business Link have been first class. We would certainly not be making the progress that we are doing without their support.
Paul 61 days ago.
I have used business link a few times over the last 15 years. Most of the people working there (except for one really excellent man called Karol in Gloucestershire)are not really entrepreneurial and don't understand the needs of entrepreneurs. Whilst the small business course they gave me in 1993 was good, I have found them actually competing with my company on the services provided, and guess who won? I gave up on providing the service and gave up using Business Link. It seems it's really a club that if you are not in, you only get basic service from.
Ian 61 days ago.
As a small company MD I've had many dealings with BL. They offer good advice BUT they are so slow, incredibly over staffed and don't understand the concept of efficiency. Every time I visited their offices I went away angry at the waste and laid back attitude…. They needed to be axed years ago…
Jon Luisada 61 days ago.
BL was a sort of business "speak your weight" machine. Generally correct but not specifically useful. Ten minutes in a non government organisation (I notice Brad Burton on the list, I can vouch for the usefulness and effectiveness of his organisation.) could get you access to just about any discipline you need. And then enough other people to verify if they are any good.
Gary Pierce 61 days ago.
B.Link has some advisors who are clueless about business. I asked them questions around market research and marketing strategy and they exposed themselves as highly unknowledgable. Good to shut them down.
Mickey Mouse 59 days ago.
The RDA's have the responsibility to deliver Business Link services to the region. This is contracted to private companies, and different parts of the service can be delivered by different organisations. The model IDB, or "signposting" is used because organisations in the private sector complained that B L was taking work away from them. I think most of the people Business Link see would not engage with a consultant normally and in fact are more likely to do so when the Adviser has visited. So some of you rubbing your hands in glee, think again.
Mickey Mouse 59 days ago.
It really hurts to be described as self styled, or a know nothing, or rubbish (because i am advising and not doing). And with all due respect to the gentleman who has been in business since 1973, remember, sir, Woolworths had been going for over a hundred years. I am not a civil servant. I had my own businesses for 8 years, and then took my position at BL. I understand and empathise with the clients. I work hard to understand the clients needs. There are bad and good in any profession and you will never get rid of that, no matter who delivers your support.
Mickey Mouse 59 days ago.
If you destroy and replace it will be much more expensive than changing the present structure. Improve the bits that are ropey, e.g. the paper work, the consistency, the silly targets to see nearly 200 businesses in a year. And decide what it is we, as a nation, want to do to help our small businesses. That way what emerges will be stronger, and better streamlined I suspect many who are detracting from Business Link probably were not eligible for a grant. That's government led, not BL! You don't blame the postman for posting the bill through your door! Lobby your MP
Anon 59 days ago.
I can only speak for BL in the SE where customer satisfaction targets speak for themselves at over 90%. The fantastic emails from our delighted customers highlight how many people we have actually helped. The wonderful people I work with who share a passion for customer satisfaction stymied only at times by government beaurocracy. I can only assume Mark Prisk is bignoting himself in his new role. Bu the way, thanks for the redundancy notice - is this my 90 day consultation beginning?
Neil 59 days ago.
I am part of a Global Coaching organisation that gets results for our clients - that is how we keep them. We just surveyed over 100 of our customers in the UK, last year we averaged an increase in revenues of 34% for our clients in 2009 - during the heat of the recession. These companies average income started at £931k. So why can we as a private sector industry achieve averages only BusinessLink and the Government can dream of? Because if we dont provide the results we dont get paid...If you are interested to find out more e-mail me at neilsinclair@actioncoach.com
Gill Hunt 59 days ago.
I think there's a place for much more creative use of the web and using the community of independent advisors across the country to create content and give advice - without tying everyone up in bureaucracy. Above all - why not ask small business owners what they want and give them control of the process instead of deciding what they need from the centre. For those who've muttered about a postcode lottery - there already is one - try getting grant if you live in the South East - or a few miles outside a 'deprived area' as one Skillfair member reported to me.
Bruce Renny 57 days ago.
Good news! Business Link have been less than useless for my businesses. An utter waste of space, time and money as far as I'm concerned.
Olga Astaniotis 57 days ago.
Like much of public sector funded activity, the old ways and cost structures are neither viable nor relevant in the current climate. Business Link can add value and make a difference, but must do so for less money and use new means. Public investment should follow the client; let each business decide which experts they want to use and let the private sector compete on price, quality, relevance instead of supporting an old network of "providers" who spend too many resources administering public programmes. We need progressive, enlightened delivery as well as a new Government approach.
Robert Ashton 57 days ago.
See why BL should become a social enterprise http://www.newstartmag.co.uk/blog/article/business-links-big-social-enterprise-opportunity/
Nick Whitehead 54 days ago.
Having been a SME owner I think this is great news. Business Link made promises and made me jump through hoops and in the end delivered nothing. Great decision to scrap them and save the public purse
R.SHEEN 54 days ago.
I totally agree with everything Angela Hart has written , totally wasted our time & energy and fuel was kept hanging on when needing answers .i only have a bitter taste left in my mouth with them..good riddence .. you wont be missed by me thats for sure ..USELESS...
Berry Winter 48 days ago.
Like most governement initiatives BL was like the curate's egg "good in parts". As to squeezing out small private business advisers, they have been doing that for years by undercutting the prices to such an extent that they have devalued the advice out there. Definately time for a change!
Sian Goodbourn 42 days ago.
I have been a regular user of Business Link for several years. I find them to be enthusiastic, knowledgable, helpful, proactive and all about developing small business through support and solid advice. The people I have met through BL are also positive and helpful. Developing good business is about face-to-face opportunities to develop good communication, the more we push everything on line the more that skill fades. You will always get good and bad in every sector, but online does not promote good business.
Mike Strawson 41 days ago.
Any organisation is only as good as the people who staff it, so BL will of course be like the Curate's Egg - good in parts. However, Chambers do not necessarily charge for help to their members. I provide (at my own expense) a help line for several Chambers in international Trade issues. The Chamber movement has to provide value for money as it gets no funding from Governement. They have been going for much longer than any other business support organisation. That must say something!
Helen Osman 38 days ago.
Having recently set up a community website. www.n21online.com with a focus on encouraging people to support local businesses and get involved in the local community (Big Society stuff) I have had contact with dozens of businesses in my local area of North London. The level of marketing & sales literacy amongst many is very low, they need help, they don't need courses, but one to one encouragement to try new ways to move their businesses along. Business Link isn't the answer for these guys, but we need our sole traders and shops to be more entrepreneurial, but it will be a hard slog
Denys Shortt 37 days ago.
Yes ....finally ! I have been in business for 15 years and never once had a good experience with Business Link. It is better to get advice from successful business people and they don't work at business link ...
Anon 29 days ago.
Actually - the majority of BL employees are former or current business owners!!!
ANON 29 days ago.
Maybe he would like to give me a job, since scrapping everything has made a lot of people unemployed.
Fergus Beesley 23 days ago.
My concern is more about the ability of fairly remote communities (rural and urban )with poor connectivity ,being able to access this 'new dawn' business support - what price enterprising communities and the Big society ?
John Smith 19 days ago.
Interesting to note that in the last 2 weeks Serco, who run the contract in the South East have put all Business Link South East Employees under 90 days redundancy consultation. They are reducing the head count from 400 (it was nearer 700 when they took the contract) to between 29 and 80. This is due to the in year reduction of finding to SEEDA and the then passed on to the Business Link contract.