Business Link gives support to meet the challenges
The latest Top 250 list reminds us that despite its challenges the North East has many outstanding firms contributing vastly to the regional economy, says Alastair MacColl.
ALL businesses are operating in a very uncertain climate, given the last 12 months of unprecedented developments in economies – not only in the North East but in the UK and the world.
While this region is better prepared than ever to deal with the downturn, times remain tough, and work Business Link does is now more important than ever. As the region's primary access point for business support, it has put in place the people, infrastructure, systems and processes to transform the support available to companies from all sectors.
Business Link has made great strides in adapting and improving its service to be fit for purpose and relevant for the challenges facing existing and start-up businesses across the region today. In fact, over the last financial year, Business Link has helped more businesses in the North East than ever before to get off the ground, develop and build for the future.
It has worked with 34,344 customers and has helped create 4,384 new businesses, a 15% increase on the previous financial year. This shows that despite recessionary pressures, the North East is one of the best places in the UK in which to start and grow a business.
More than 13,000 firms have received in-depth business services, which fully assess strengths and weaknesses and offer recommendations for future development. In addition, more than 4,000 businesses have received skills support advice, with guidance and direction on training and staff development.
Business Link has also provided a substantial programme of practical workshops and events. These included over 700 pre-start workshops, also major exhibitions such as the North East Regional Business Fair recently.
This matched buyers with suppliers from across the region's major business sectors, and gave firms opportunities to make contacts and generate new business.
Delivery of the Business Link service has fundamentally improved in the North East. It has made it easier and quicker for firms that qualify to gain access to financial support through the North East England Investment Centre.
And the North East England Service Provider Register has a growing list of suppliers of a wide range of products and services.
Rapid response to fast moving events has been crucial to Business Link's ability to support North East business effectively over the last year. It plays a leading role in the Real Help For Business Now campaign, which offers significant, practical support for firms in the region.
Also Business Link has launched a 15-month programme of interactive workshops across the region. These Keep Your Business Fighting Fit events cover a range of crucial themes, providing bespoke advice and actions to help firms get through the downturn and emerge in good shape to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.
Business Link is committed to doing everything possible to ensure that every North East business, regardless of size or sector, receives the support it needs. The ongoing priority is to offer practical and relevant help that will shape and grow the region's economy, and show the world the North East means business.
The Journal's top 250 list is a great showcase of what businesses can achieve in this region, and everyone at Business Link is committed to helping even more companies to reach their potential in the North East.
Alastair MacColl is chief executive of Business and Enterprise North East, deliverer of Business Link services in the North East, which has itself entered the Top 250 for the first time.
