| Partner Profile - Business Link In London |
 What is the role of the Business Link in London? Business Link in London (BLIL) is a free, impartial business advisory service available to anyone starting or running a small or medium sized business (SME). It is also the gateway to all business support available across the capital, both public and private. BLIL works with hundreds of partners to deliver this service and to provide tailored solutions to SMEs, particularly when they are experiencing difficult economic conditions. BLIL is wholly funded by the London Development Agency (LDA) and in the current financial year, over 155,000 businesses have benefited from our help. We have also provided intensive one-to-one consultation to over 7,000 businesses. How can Business Link in London support businesses registered on CompeteFor? BLIL can support businesses registered on CompeteFor by providing: • assistance with registration including the mandatory requirements (developing a Health & Safety Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy and Quality Management Statement); • free advice on where and how SMEs can compete for tenders; and • access to events and workshops so they are in the best possible position to win contracts. Many businesses are confused about what a Quality Management Statement is? How is it different to a Quality Management System? A Quality Management Statement is a written document that sets out a business’ approach to dealing with quality. It covers how they address internal quality standards and their philosophy towards consistent improvements to service or products. This might include a commitment to implement a Quality Management System, but for many businesses, is not a requirement. A Quality Management System is a fully documented and implemented quality process – for example ISO9001. Many businesses choose to implement a Quality Management System to demonstrate their ongoing compliance with an internationally recognised standard. BLIL can provide an example of what a Quality Management Statement and a Quality Management System may look like. During times of economic uncertainty, what is the biggest challenge faced by SMEs today? The biggest challenge being faced by SMEs in London today is managing cash flow – i.e. making sure that wages, rent and suppliers can all be paid. Business Link In London can provide bespoke support and guidance in these areas. Below are some of the services which Business Link In London offer their clients. What is Business Link in London’s advice to SMES on how to negate the economic downturn? SMEs need to review their performance regularly to look for early signs of any issues that will affect their profitability. Careful planning is key - if you fail to plan then you are planning to fail. Businesses need to find the solutions that fit their business model, their sector and their niche markets. Focusing on their core expertise, having a clear sales strategy and becoming obsessive about their customers are all important considerations. But the first thing any business owner should be doing now is looking at managing their cash flow and forecasting their business. What activities are Business Link in London offering to support businesses through these tough times? BLIL provides the following services to support businesses through the recession: • round the clock, 24 hour telephone and online advice service; • help to business owners to identify potential shortcomings or growth opportunities through business health checks; • one-to-one support and consultation to business owners to develop clear plans of action; and • free master-classes, networking events and local business surgeries at your own premise. In addition, the Business Link Health Checks, like an MOT, are there to provide a check-up on the state of your business. They offer an impartial, objective assessment of your business performance, identifying key strengths, prioritising areas for improvement and highlighting business opportunities. These can be performed over the phone, in workshops or one-to-one with an experienced Business Link adviser. If Business Link in London excelled at an Olympic Sport, what would it be and why? Archery – we are targeted, focused with a clear aim of helping London’s SMEs through this recession. |
