Chamber Launches New Business Support Service

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Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce today (20 October 2011) launches a new range of business support services aimed at filling the gaps in provision left by the closure of local Business Link and the demise of the East Midlands Development Agency.

 

The new initiative – called Business Helping Business – will utilise the expertise of local businesses and is aimed at helping firms to expand, create jobs, exploit new markets and win more customers.

 

After last year’s General Election, the Coalition Government took the decision to close down the UK’s Regional Development Agencies and drastically cut its business support budget.

 

Locally, it means that emda will be shut down completely, whilst Business Link will be scaled back dramatically from a local offering delivered by an extensive team of business mentors in each region to a national website and call centre.

 

However, recent Chamber research* found that 54% of its members have previously used Business Link services, while 78% believe they should be able to access similar services from Chambers of Commerce in the future.

 

The initial “Business Helping Business” offering will provide a three-level solution for businesses:

Level One - “Meet The Expert” Seminars – A regular series of events aimed at supporting new and established businesses to develop and grow by providing vital information, advice and guidance in areas such as business growth, finance, HR, sales and marketing. Businesses will also be able to seek advice from expert practitioners, pose questions on a range of issues, network and share best practice with other businesses.

 

Level Two - Follow-On Workshops – A series of follow-up events led by independent business experts including bankers, solicitors, business coaches, accountants, marketeers and eBusiness specialists, which will provide firms with a more in-depth understanding of the issues raised at the Meet The Expert seminars.

 

Level Three - Business Training – The workshops will link into the Chamber’s existing Business Training offering, which includes development programmes, masterclasses or bespoke training which can be tailored to meet a particular business’ training needs, along with mentoring and coaching from independent consultants.

 

Although none of these events are free, the Chamber will run the service on a not-for-profit basis rather than a commercial one, with any surplus being invested back into future provision.

 

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The political and economic climate has changed beyond all recognition over the last 18 months and funding for general business support no longer exists.

 

“The focus on Localism makes it vital that the business community breaks the current culture of dependency on central Government and takes responsibility for resolving its own issues.

 

“The current climate means that businesses will no longer be able to access free business support services, which is why the Chamber is launching Business Helping Business, a cost-effective solution which goes back to the very core of what the Chamber movement was originally set up to do – to enable businesses to help one another to further their interests.

 

“The Chamber is the leading business support organisation in the region and will utilise this position to drive the future provision of business support services across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

“It will run Business Helping Business on a not-for-profit basis, but if any businesses out there can offer time or resource to support this offering by providing expert advice, mentoring or other services, it would be most welcome.”

 

For further information about Business Helping Business, call 01332 851280 , email events@dncc.co.uk or log onto www.dncc.co.uk.