What needs to change at Business Link?

[Alex Bellinger]

I'm writing a piece on Business Link. Lots of people sadly say they have had a bad experience and that Business Link's array of retired bankers and accountants (is that true?) offer pretty run-of-the-mill advice.

Have any of your guys used them and what are your experiences of them? How do they need to change?

Cheers

Alex

[atlascs]

Hi Alex,

We have worked closely with a number of Business Link advisors and although they have our best interests at heart they are not able to offer much in the way of practical advice as they don't have any experience running a "modern" company. For example if I were to ask somebody at BL how to promote my software development services I would probably be told to take out an advertisement somewhere which to my mind is not the best use of my limited marketing budget. This is not to say that they don't have anything relevant to say but they're hardly going to start providing me with best policy guidance on Google PPC!

I think another valid point is that Business Link is an amazing general resource for small business but could do with having access to "recommended experts" in specific fields, such as marketing, design, print, I.T. etc. They would then refer small businesses on to those experts and due to the high volume of work that I should imagine they would pass through, they should be able to negotiate a discount for us.

The people behind business link ARE retired bank managers and accountants. Many of whom haven't even started their own business, and have merely peered in from the outside. I can't wait for these people to start going in to retirement so we can get some fresh blood in there to provide modern advice from the perspective of somebody who has been there, seen it, and got t-shirts .

Finally, and this is not something that is likely to change - grants and loans. There was a time not so long ago (I was 18 so let's say about six years ago) when Business Link people could help me obtain a small grant or loan of some sort. Now the money just isn't there, unless of course you happen to tick one of the government's boxes and you happen to be an ethnic minority, disabled or female (ideally all three I suppose!). Only then do you have access to apply for money, which seems crazy to me, almost a reverse discrimination.

Finally, the Business Link corporate identity could do with a revamp.

Hope that helps.

Simon

[Gillie]

Careful Simon, not even just being a female gets you a grant with business link!

Main gripe I constantly hear about them is the corporate versus small business angle, ie many of those advising have not experienced the startup feeling.

[Calypso]

I've never met anyone from business link for one to one advise, however I have used the site for info when setting up Calypso, and I have to be positive about the amount of info regarding Importing - it was useful.

[Hayles]

They need to modernise.... they need young, experienced go getters (but then why would they work there....?).

My limited experience many years ago when I came up with the idea of delivering balloons and teddys - before I knew of anyone else doing it - was basically 'that's a daft idea, think of something else'.

I wouldn't approach them for general business advice as there are many other places (even banks) who offer advice, although I would suggest start-ups who have absolutely no idea what to do to contact them for all the basic advice.

H

[Mrs Malapup]

I attened everything that was on offer from Business Link and had a personal advisor assigned to me. I found the courses mildy useful but then I had done most of the research myself anyway. On one of the seminars the tutor divided the room into two groups and jokingly said "Right you lot ...your business will fail in the first 18 months ......" He was demonstrating the percentage of failed businesses but by using actual people to make his point was VERY annoying......he did other negative things too which I found very counter productive. I met with my personal advisor once when I was looking for premises and he was very little help in fact he confused me........my solicitor was advising one thing.....the landlord was demanding another and the Business Link guy didnt aggree with either of them! He never answered my calls or messages and I have not yet set eyes on him despite having been in business nearly 8 months now !! In my view they need to offer more specific support and stay with you until you getting going and beyond if needed.

[Philip Hoyle]

Business Link will never attract the "right" type of advisers. People with real business knowledge & enthusiasm will be running their own businesses. That is the exact same issue for all business advisers, whether Business Link or otherwise. If they are good and know alot about business, they'll be doing their own thing, making a lot more money than an advisers salary.

The point about ex-bank managers is spot on - they are a breed-apart and generally have no clue whatsoever about starting a business. There are also too many ex-govt-quango types as business link advisers - those who have retired or been made redundant from govt agencies, who again, have no idea of life in private business.

As for them getting discounted deals from other professionals etc., then the exact opposite is true - a consultant recommended via a Business Link scheme is actually likely to be far more expensive than finding one yourself locally, and there is no guarantee of better quality either.

I can't give an answer as to how to improve their services though. Perhaps making it a condition of recruitment that applicants must have run their own business at some stage, however small, and however short timescale would bring a bit of real life experience into them. And also remove/reduce the control exercised over them by DTI and other Govt quangos so they are responding to business need rather than Govt targets.

[just.b]

When I met an advisor at BL 2 years ago at the start of my business, he put me right off! I needed advice and guidance but he basically told me to forget it! He was very dismissive.
I have an online business but saw the opportunity to open a retail shop, he offered no help whatsoever, except maybe how to do a business plan.
He didn't see the shop as viable. He said I hadn't researched, etc. I wanted to know what financial help (grant, etc) I could get to open my retail shop and he said none.
I still want to open a retail shop as my online business is growing and I need premises.

[Mrs Malapup]

I couldnt find any financial help either....youre right...they dont offer any!

[cjd]

Close every business link center, fire everyone working there. With the money saved:

1. create a small business investment fund run on a commercial but not for profit basis to help micro and small business. Use real but local investment companies to manage the fund and allocate awards. Reward the investment committee for success.

2. Provide an on-line library of resource and information giving access to small business to extensive market reports and analysis by sector.