I have been invited to attend a workshop on 30 April at BIS Conference Centre in London to discuss the design and delivery of a new strategy for business support in England.
It would be great for as many businesses as possible to feed back to me what is currently working for them as far as accessing business advise and what they would like changed, for me to take to this meeting. Norfolk Chamber is currently working on enhancing its knowledge section within our website and will be starting a series of topical workshops for our members very shortly, so this feedback would also help us meet your requirements.
The background for the meeting as given by BIS is a follows.
The business support landscape has undergone a radical transformation over the last two years, following the implementation of the strategy set out in January 2011 in Mark Prisk’s policy statement “Bigger Better Business”.
More recently, at and around the recent Budget the Government made a number of announcements on support for small businesses that centre on enabling firms to navigate the vibrant, dynamic market of support to business help available.
- At a local level, through a single efficient signposting service developed through LEPs, run by local organisations bringing together national, local private and public support.
- On the internet through a new private sector led online market place that will deliver a new Growth Voucher programme
- Via the Business Bank, which will include a programme of work to bring together high growth and specialist government advice schemes and create a single customer interface.
BIS plan to publish a refreshed strategy later in the year and have asked for Norfolk Chamber members’ support in doing so.
The aims of the BIS workshop is to:
- Co-design and create a strong system for business advice, that is easy for businesses to navigate and ensures co-ordination between programmes of national importance and local schemes
- Explore how together we can join up, including with the private sector, to stimulate demand for business advice, promoting the benefits and encourage small businesses to act in their own interest and make better use of the help available
If you were sitting at the meeting what would you say? Please let me know through our LinkedIn discussion or via email to me [email protected]
