The organisations for business support
There is a wide-reaching choice of agencies working in business support. Some of them business-led and privately organised, others offered by regional and local organisations.
Business Link
Business Link is helping to deliver the Government’s new multimillion pound package to provide financial support to small and medium sized businesses. The popular, authoritative, Government funded, free service will be helping to simplify access to the measures by providing information, advice and support via its website, over the phone or face-to-face.
If you have short-term working capital constraints or are looking to invest to grow your business these schemes could help you. To find out which of the new financial measures could help your business visit the website.
Businesses across England are also urged to review the fitness of their company by taking advantage of the Business Link Health Check. The Health Check offers an impartial, objective assessment of business performance, identifying key strengths, prioritising areas for improvement and highlighting business opportunities.
Available for any company, regardless of size or sector, the Health Checks are tailored to focus on the specific needs and circumstance of each business. The initial Health Checks can be performed online, before speaking to a Business adviser over the phone, in workshops, or one-to-one with an experienced Business Link adviser.
Businesses seeking help on finance, the Health Check or other issues can arrange an appointment with their local Business Link adviser by calling 0845 600 9006 or they can visit the Business Link website (use the Quick Link)
Business Link provides support to businesses from the very smallest up to 250 employees, whatever their situation or industry, in good times and bad.
There is a range of free support to find finance, raise productivity, or save money by reducing waste and saving energy. Whether you need to increase cashflow, keep your staff on, improve their skills and flexibility, or simply reduce costs, you can get real help to keep your business fighting fit.
Federation of Small Businesses
The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has 215,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches.
More locally the Reading & West Berks branch policy activities continue with Reading transport centre stage alongside economic development and neighbourhood policing. The committee approaches 2009 with optimism and enthusiasm and recognise that the coming year is going to be a difficult one for our members.
Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce and Industry
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group is a membership organisation which promotes and lobbies for business development in the Thames Valley.
With over 2500 members, we are one of the largest accredited Chambers in the UK.
Institute of Directors
The Berkshire branch is one of the liveliest in the region with a programme of events throughout the year designed to educate and entertain.One of the main objectives for the Branch is to offer local activities that members' support.
Confederation of British Industry
The CBI's mission is to help create and sustain the conditions in which businesses in the United Kingdom can compete and prosper for the benefit of all.
Thames Valley Enterprise Hub
Thames Valley Enterprise Hub is part of the South East England Development Agency’s (SEEDA) regional network of Enterprise Hubs. The Enterprise Hubs have been established with the specific goal of helping technology and knowledge-based companies with pioneering ideas become thriving commercial concerns.
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), as the Regional Development Agency for the South East, is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the South East of England - the driving force of the UK's economy.
Contact -www.seeda.co.uk/
