Helping Small and Medium Sized Businesses Through the Economic Slow Down

22 October 2008

The government has announced extra support for SME's which includes:

A promise to pay its own bills to firms within 10 days
Free Health check through the Business Link service
The Government announced today to build on its commitment to pay firms within 10 days by working with NHS trusts in England, local authorities and other public sector employers in England to seek opportunities to extend the payment target. Regional Development Agencies in England, which spend around £750m per year with suppliers, have today signed up to this target.

Business Link is offering small and medium sized enterprises a free “Health Check” to help them to respond to current global economic challenges.

Small and medium sized businesses employ over 520,00 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and are essential for the livelihoods of hard working families. Today’s cross-Government package focuses on the things small and medium sized enterprises have identified as top priorities – cash flow, access to finance and training for staff.

Business Link “Health Checks” are comprehensive business reviews which identify strengths, areas for improvement and issues for trading companies. Problems and opportunities may be obvious or hidden by a number of factors. Business Link Advisers can guide companies through the review, offer solutions to issues, and help the company to write a realistic action plan.

Business Link’s Deborah Wyatt said, ‘I urge business owners to find out how they can strengthen their companies today through a free “Health Check”. An objective business review, carried out online, over the phone, face to face with a Business Link Adviser or in a workshop with peers will fully assess your company’s strengths, gaps and opportunities.

‘It is particularly important, in the current financial climate, to identify and deal with business issues early.’

Business Link “Health Checks” provide personalised support and confidential advice for all businesses, regardless of their size or sector, on:

Maximising cash flow
Marketing
Business Planning

In addition to the “Health Check”, a free Guide to Finance is available from Business Link. It gives businesses expert financial information and covers:

Effective invoice chasing
Debt management
Credit Insurance

To book a “Health Check” or request a free Guide to finance:

Contact: Business Link
Tel: 0845 600 9 006
Email: info@businesslinksoutheast.co.uk
Web: www.businesslink.gov.uk/businesshelp

For more media information:

Contact: Lorraine Lewis
Tel: 01329 223267
Email: lorraine.lewis@businesslinkhamsphireiow.co.uk