IT’S a turbulent time for business owners, with each week bringing another survey proclaiming either darker times ahead or a light at the end of the tunnel.

With conflicting reports and statistics, it’s hard to know what is the best thing to do for your business.

The first thing to say is don’t be a victim of the hype. Don’t assume that just because others are struggling or succeeding, you will too. A sensible head is required. Look at your own business situation rather than the global economic one.

The first thing you should do is to take advantage of the free expert advice and support from Business Link. The service is still here, offering face-to-face business support from specialist advisers.

But if you want to take advantage of this free face-to-face business advice, there has never been a more important time to contact us.

At the end of November, the way Business Link operates is changing. The service will be delivered almost entirely through a comprehensive website. The free face-to-face contact with specialist advisers, which so many of our clients find invaluable, will no longer be available.

Our team of experienced advisers understand the importance of local knowledge, which has helped more than 30,000 North East businesses in the past year alone. If you want to take advantage of their free, independent and impartial advice, don’t delay.

One business owner that did just that was Mark Whitaker of Premier Meats, who contacted Business Link and started working with specialist adviser Ian Newman when he was looking to develop his business to target domestic customers.

Mark said: “Working with Business Link has provided me with the opportunity to draw upon the adviser’s experience and expertise, which in turn has given me some strong grounding from which to make business-changing choices.

“Ian had a genuine interest in the success of developments in the business and a strong and lasting friendship has evolved from this working relationship.”

Call 0845 600 9006, visit www.bl-ne.co.uk , or follow us on Twitter @businesslinkne

The Business Link service is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is delivered in the North East by the Business & Enterprise Group.