Business Link

[g00gl3r]

Business link and we have another one (don't know if it's national) called business initiative which both provide free services to new businesses etc.

Thought it was worth a mention in the old 'schooly' bit of the forum.

[guerrilla]

ive been to business link, couldnt get anything decent out of them though. Just sat their and listened to the blindingly obvious and then signed their bit of paper so they get their nice government backed payout.

Anyone actually worked out what they do?

[bizNorthEast.co.uk]

they gave me some free business cards, which was good.

[SmallBusinessHelpCentre]

ive been to business link, couldnt get anything decent out of them though

i had the same problem with business link for another project a few years ago. a lot of meetings, a lot of promises to help

all the success we had was down to old fashioned marketing and networking. when you take into account how much potential business was lost by sitting in meetings with them ????

[skillipedia]

Even their web site is full of nothing: waste of resources and space

[JamesS]

I used businesslink back in 2005, they provided me with a £2500 grant, it paid for a new monitor, printer, that months print advertising bill and a years worth of accountancy fees.

Luton University run something called "the knowledge network", various networking meetings throughout the year, I believe the local businesslink have a finger in that also.

There’s a lot out there for small businesses and especially young people starting businesses.

[profitxchange]

Business Link can deliver! It depends on what you wnat and how you approach them! if you want money don't bother there are virtually no grants now. look on www.j4b.co.uk.

The help from BL can be very very variable, you need to complain or ask to see someone different.

I was a BL business mentor for ten years and I had no complaints. Many companies were more than happy to pay for the help I gave them thru BL.

But I know from the inside - you don't always get the best of service. they have been around for nearly 15years now and are past their sell by date. I do not think it will be long before they are gone or re-invented.

[adeinov]

I think there's a big shake-out about to happen this new financial year with Business Link. It used to be about 'grants' amongst other things, though most people I know spoke with them about this. I think as Eastern Europe starts to get more capital grant aid that Business Link will evolve into more of a matchmaking or signposting service. I've had good and bad experiences of using them over the 11 years I've been in business. It's still worth speaking to them, but these days with the internet and books you might as well drive forward yourself

[mark611]

i haven't seen one in my area but i'd like to pop round and listen!!

[profitxchange]

go to the national website and type in your post code or phone the national help line they will give you details of the local BL.

They will have a local website as well .

worth a look