Introduction -to receive small business advice, there are many well-established support organisations designed to assist entrepreneurs in the process of setting up a company. The following page describes the services of the main national organisations set up for SME's, sole traders, limited companies, would-be entrepreneurs as well as established small firms. They provide a broad range of business services to help small businesses start up, raise business finance, obtain business grants, develop skills and training and a whole host of other useful added value services.
Businesslink - the most well-known support organisation is Businesslink. This Government based organisation provides a fantastic array of online business guides and contact details to local support companies. It also assist would be entrepreneurs to match up the nature of their business with the latest related industry regulations and compliance rules. The topics and services provided cover managing finances, employing people, finding and keeping customers, pay the correct company tax, complying with legislation and regulations, trading internationally and finding local events and support. There are also a range of great interactive tools to help organise, manage and file admin aspects of running a business. Businesslink also offers local advice and support, by telephone or face-to-face. The service forms an important aspect of the government's campaign to promote enterprise. Local centres are funded by the Regional Development Agencies, while the online service is managed and funded by HM Revenue & Customs.
Welsh Assembly Business Support - the business support website from the Welsh Assembly Government contains a wealth of information for Welsh businesses. This includes details of the Single Investment Fund (the grant alternative), access to finance, access to premises, business training and development, public sector tendering and free business workshops. The purpose of the service is to helping establish new small business services via online business information, skills training through workshops, one-to-oneadvice and guidance, mentoring and coaching and encouraging business networking.
Invest Northern Ireland - the Invest Northern Ireland and NIBusinessInfo, services are part of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment. They provide support for start-up and existing business in Northern Ireland with regards to business relocation, small business advice, research and development, trading internationally, and by attracting new investment to Northern Ireland. The main focus is manufacturing and tradable services sectors.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise - the Highlands and Islands Enterprise provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses and organisations in the Highlands& Islands of Scotland including starting up, finance and grants, taxes, returns & payroll, employing people, health and safety, premises, environment and efficiency, exploiting ideas, IT and e-commerce, sales and marketing, international trade and grow your business.
National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) - the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies (NFEA) is the is the membership body for local not for profit agencies, and other like-minded organisations, in England. They have approximately 120 members, represented in 200 locations across England. In 2007, the network of enterprise agencies conducted an amazing 150,000 advice sessions and supported over 70,000 pre start ups.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) - the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) is the UK's leading business organisation with 215,000 members. Its is a campaigning pressure group, designed to represent the interests of small business. Formed in 1974, it has 230 branches and a dedicated press office to lobby MP's. It also provide a fantastic array of business services including; legal services (such as tax advice and health and safety), financial services (such as business banking and credit cards), business services (such as insurance and telecoms), and additional services (such as events and online resources).
The Forum of Private Business - the Forum of Private Business fights for fair treatment of private businesses by decision-makers and supports the profitable growth of members. Established in 1977, it is a funded by its members, and is a non-party political organisation, representing 25,000 UK-based private businesses, which in turn employ more than 600,000 people.
Shell Livewire - Shell Livewire provides information, advice and practical support for 16-30 year olds starting up their own business. They provide a FREE Essential Business Kit to every caller, tailored to their specific business idea and a one-to-one advice through a national network of local small business advice consultants and young business mentors. It also creates a social network which aims to provide young entrepreneurs with the means to network and discuss ideas globally.
Business Gateway - the Business Gateway provides practical help, advice and support for new and growing businesses in Scotland.