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?

[Genesis77]

Having some dealings at the moment with BL which are actually going quite well and seen 2 people thus far - one definitely fitting the banker profile but that was quite useful as always useful to get a banker's opinion (consisted of - for a small loan the bank will just plug your details into a machine and get a response that way) - the person he passed me onto seems alright though with some varied business experience (young for a business link guy) and i think if i can get on the scheme i am trying to get onto recommended by him i will have some praise for BL.

Had a couple of experiences over the last few years which put me off BL as a waste of time but thought id try them again as for something thats free i cant complain and initially just wanted the practise of pitching my idea to a stranger (the bankier the better).

I think if youve read a few business books and seen a couple of advisors most advise is kind of the same anyway - advantage of BL is it can find schemes that are applicable to your location which you might not have been aware of and can aid you in filling out forms etc. Plus as mentioned i do find it useful to bounce ideas off a stranger. Haven't been on any of the seminars etc. but i guess they will be useful for information and potential networking.

[mrleesimpson]

I've always had awesome relations with the guys at my local BL, always seem to get amazing help from them.

I think they can tend to be a littl old skool at times and not understand young business, but other than that thumbs up!

[wilkinsonh]

I think Business Link has it's role within the business support realm, and this is offer an information and brokerage role to other support providers. I think expectations have to be managed in someway as BL can't and shouldn't do everything, as they have deal with a vast audience.
I think when someones starting a business, BL is one strand of support, and alongside this an entrepreneur needs the support of a like-minded community of entrepreneurs, networking opportunities, coaching, mentoring and training, which can be accessed from a different sources.
Best Wishes

Heather Wilkinson
MD and Founder of Striding Out
www.stridingout.co.uk
'supporting young people with enterprising ambitions'

[eimanshalash]

I would say Business link is a starting point. You can only get out of it what you put in.

BTW Can I just recommend Heather's Striding Out community organisation. I have met Heather through her organisation which is ace! They provide mentoring support and a great network structure. The next step after business link for me anyway. And no I've not been paid to say this lol!!

[Heather - I was pleasantly surprised to see you post on here ]

[Alex Bellinger]

Thanks guys for your feedback on Business Link ... All good grist to the mill and a deal more positive than the feedback I've had from others, so thank you.

[James Smith]

Ive had a few dealings and its been pot luck.

Spoke to an excellent chap when I first started up who was top draw and really knew his stuff. Was getting on a bit but I took this as a good thing as he had an awful lot of experience and really helped with suggestions etc. I don't think running a business actually changes much in terms of the basics so the fact he probably didn't know his google adwords from his banner advertising I don't think mattered.

Also spoke to a someone else (much younger) who was ex a large bank and hadn't got a clue about small business and I was left feeling it was mostly a waste of time really although she did still make a couple of small useful points.

They did offer some really good priced training courses on useful topics such as bookkeeping, recruitment and marketing all at very low prices. Not been on one myself but I imagine they would be great for many people starting up.

For free and for a government organisation I would say they where pretty decent all in all - I think it would be unreasonable to expect them to be top draw if paid by the taxpayer...

Regards,

[moneyman]

It has gone seriously wrong recently. They seem to have moved on from a general mentoring role with a couple of semi-retired business men to a business services seller. Ie "we can put you in touch with a sales firm and possibly pay a bit towards" rather than "forget wasting your time on that...concentrate on this or give XYZ a call he might help". It now seems to be a civil service operation. By the numbers help desk.

BUT it depends almost entirely on who you get and where you live.


James I am shocked you never did bookkeeping ;D

[Stationery-Direct.co.uk]

I have been self employed for 6 years and I have contacted Busines Link for advice and information on many occasions, I have to say the whole service in my opinion is useless.
I met a Business Advisor at my home address for some advice and to be honest he was so in awe of my internet businesses and how they worked it was more like I was giving him a lesson, he offered nothing that I didn't already know and had NO experience in Internet Businesses or anything like that.

They are good at sending out fact sheets and paper based information on standard subjects but that is all!

I never contact them anymore as it is just a waste of my phone bill and would rather find answers to any questions that I may have on here.

[TheProblemConsultants]

Used them 6 years ago for advice starting a software/internet consultancy. They quite simply hadn't a clue.

I think the best change would be to get rid of them, their goals seem to be on reaching a set number of businesses per year (i.e. getting their contact details) rather than on helping a business succeed.

The money spent on them could be put to better use...

[Alex Bellinger]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I did end up writing a piece on Business Link.

Let me know what you think.

Cheers

Alex

[Genesis77]

Interesting article but i guess the problems with business link are semi inherent within the whole premise as I guess a lot of people with the greatest knowledge to aid start ups do not actually have the time to do so as they are out there making money so to speak. I would agree with the luck of the draw factor.

However they are usually a decent starting point and definitely can help in finding out what schemes exist for certain post codes etc. Plus someone who has submitted grant forms etc. before is always useful when one is applying for a grant.

Ive had some dealings with BL in the past and have not been so impressed but the current person I am in contact with i have a good rapport with and so will reserve judgement for later of how useful they have been to me.

Out of interest I thought Labour were really trying to encourage entrepreneurship in this country but what have they done to aid in this? Or what can/should they do?

[eco2you]

I initally started on New deal 25+ self employmnet option with a Job center apointed "business advisor"- good scheme to help, I ended up doing a NCFE in small business start up or something...... He was pretty much useless to be honest, its no fun having to phone someone who never calls you back, days in a row.for a cheque, one cheque that he has to sign so you can sign and use it.

Furthermore his business plan was torn to pieces by Princes Trust.

They refereed me to someome from BL, who I can only say has been fantastic, supporting me all the way, working on my BP with me, sending back drafts and revsions same day, meeting up, discussing stragies.

He may well of been close to 60 odd, he may well of been a retired banker, but given the sort of rural area I live in (Cornwall), I was very suprised by one of his opening questions to me.

What are you going to do about SEO?

His exact words.... pretyy much followed by him wanting to know what sort of internet marketing strategy I was intending to use.

He has chased people up for me, helped me go back to Princes Trust, secured a grant from gthem for me, got a small loan, and further investment from 2 other Objective 1 funders.

He's literally been brilliant.

I'd say to anyone to give it a shot, I know it depnds on who you end up with, but its definatley worth a try.

[Alex Bellinger]

This is a great story eco, and I'm sure there are many more as I hope i indicated in my article.

BL has a tough job and like so much in business how you get on with the person you're dealing with makes a big difference.

[eco2you]

Hi Alex,

Guess maybe I was lucky, I read your report, it was quite balanced and informative, got some great ideas too.

Cheers

Drew