When people are planning to start a business, they are often looking for external support – for someone to guide them on their journey, to give them a few pointers and to reassure them as they take their brave first steps into self-employment. Others go ahead without consulting anyone or taking any external advice. Whilst both methods can work, we would actively encourage anyone thinking about setting up a business to get some support in advance – the benefits are clear, those who do seek external support when starting out are much more likely to survive and thrive than those who don’t – so if you want your business to have the best possible chance of success then what harm can it do?
Support when and where you need it
Enterprise support providers are operating across the country and are there to help people looking to start up or already running a business, they provide a wide range of help and support from answering simple questions to offering sessions with business advisers on matters such as business planning, marketing and finance; they will have a variety of workshops on topics relevant to new businesses; they may have access to loan funds which will help you when starting up – they will also have a good handle on all the other financial support which might be available to you locally; they offer a variety of networking opportunities which will put you in direct contact with other people setting out on their own, people who you can share experiences with and more importantly who could become important trading partners; last but not least many of them operate managed workspace or incubation facilities and so if you’re looking for good quality premises with support on tap – then look no further!
So before you go any further with your business idea, can you afford not to tap into the help that’s there on your doorstep?
Find the support that’s local to you
At National Enterprise Network, we know from our work in the enterprise support sector, and the feedback from our membership, that there continues to be an increase in the demand for enterprise support services. People looking to set up a business are calling upon our membership to provide them with the independent support, advice and training that they need – and our membership are ready and waiting to give it.
Our unique online business support directory was launched in May 2014 to help people looking for core support in starting up. The directory will signpost you to the organisations operating directly in your local area that can offer start-up advice and support. Since the launch in July last year, nearly 128,000 visitors have accessed the page to find details of help local to them. The directory outlines details of the National Enterprise Network Members and Associates that operate across England; it is organised by region and searchable by local authority area, making it an extremely easy search facility. See for yourself.
With our members being locally rooted in the communities they serve, they know first-hand the opportunities which exist locally and can arrange to sit down with anyone thinking of starting a business, as an independent expert on your doorstep, to understand more about your requirements, your ambitions and aspirations and look to support you with a package of support according, much of which is free or heavily subsidised.
Whilst figures tell us the majority of people are heading online, we offer an email or telephone signposting service too – just call us on 01908 605130 or email enquiries@nationalenterprisenetwork.org.
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