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Over the last year, the regional
Business Link service has continued to engage with small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the East of England to support
and guide them through the challenges of business.
Notwithstanding the recession,
Business Link has highlighted opportunities, provided information
and addressed concerns of the region’s SMEs throughout 2009. In
February, Business Link reported that, unsurprisingly, money saving
was high on the agenda of the region’s businesses. In April however,
it was recognised that many businesses were paying out for advice
that Business Link could, and continues to, provide for free. As the
class of 2009 graduated over the summer, jobs for 16-25 year olds
were (and still are) few and far between; Business Link encouraged
graduates to start their own businesses. An October survey from
Business Link revealed strong survival characteristics from the
region’s businesses, painting a bright post-recession picture. And,
in November, with less than 1,000 days to go until the 2012 Olympic
Games, the regional business support service prompted SMEs in
Cambridgeshire to register on CompeteFor for tender opportunities
around the Games.
Following a diverse year in
business, and increasingly competitive market places across all
industries, Business Link asked owners and managers of the region’s
SMEs to reflect…
When asked to summarise 2009 in less
than 150 words, businesses in Cambridgeshire provided mixed
reflections:
“Steady and safe.”
“Our best year on record.
We’ve doubled profit and turnover and are still recruiting
staff.”
“The business has grown at
the same rate as previous years.”
“Started slowly and picked
up. Companies started hiring again. 2009 will not be as good as
2008, but we have not had to lose any staff. We feel we have
done well compared to our competitors. We reacted to possible
‘problems’ in 2009 by re-positioning our company at the end of
2008.”
Pat Smith, Chief Executive of
Business Link in the East of England, said: “2009 has been a year of
mixed challenges and achievements for many of the region’s
businesses. For some, economic realities left them fighting for
survival, whereas others experienced growth that exceeded forecasts
and expectations. Whatever the New Year has in store for the
business community, we at Business Link look forward to working with
them to plan for a successful and prosperous 2010.”
Any small business looking for help
and advice can contact Business Link on 08457 17 16 15 or visit
www.businesslink.gov.uk/east.
About Business Link in the East of England:
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Business Link provides information, practical advice and
support to help people to start, run or grow their businesses
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Our clients fall in to two main categories:
- Those running or working in
established small and medium sized businesses
- Those who want to start their own
business
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Both client groups can access independent, impartial and, in
most instances, free help and support from Business Link in the
form of:
- Free one-to-one help from an
experienced Business Adviser (established businesses) or
Enterprise Awareness Manager (start-ups)
- Workshops and briefings on a range
of business subjects such as business planning, sales and
marketing, legislation, developing people
- Telephone and online support through
our Regional Information and Intelligence centre
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Business Link in the East of England works with businesses
and entrepreneurs in the 6 counties in the East of England:
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex Hertfordshire, Norfolk and
Suffolk
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Business Link is a government initiative to promote
enterprise, funded in the East of England by the East of England
Development Agency
December 2009 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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