Double boost for West Midlands’ entrepreneurs

West Midlands’ entrepreneurs received a double boost in realising their dreams today, with Business Link West Midlands launching the first ever monthly ‘E-zine’ and the continued roll-out of its events programme, featuring over 50 specialist workshops between now and the end of July. The announcement, which follows an earlier rallying cry by the organisation, is the latest in a long line of innovative techniques introduced by the new service, as it looks to propel the region up the enterprise league tables and provide in-depth assistance to 16,000 companies. It has already successfully

launched its online knowledge bank (featuring 2000 factsheets, industry reports and grant schemes) that is accessible by support staff, created the UK’s first Supplier Register and successfully appointed providers to deliver the ‘enterprise offer’ locally. “The creation of new businesses is absolutely essential to the vitality of the West Midlands and we are already seeing the evidence of this with traditional industries evolving and new sectors emerging,” explained Jill Parker, Enterprise Director at Business Link West Midlands.

“There are no longer jobs for life and, the advent of broadband, IT systems and home working, has persuaded many people to become their own boss.” She continued: “This is something we have to encourage and this encouragement needs to be delivered throughout the region, from the moment someone thinks about starting a new company to when they celebrate their first birthday and beyond.” Launched earlier this week, the ‘pre-start’ E-zine is the first of a number of communication tools designed to provide simple, easy access to advice and information. The electronic newsletter features a mix of latest news and business trends, essential pointers on government legislation and access to a number of potential opportunities. It also provides a guide to important websites that could be of use when setting-up and hyperlinks to business tools that can be downloaded from the main website (www.businesslinkwm.co.uk).

“We’ve already had 1000 individuals sign-up to receive the E-zine,” explained Jill. “This is not about giving them all the info they need to be successful, but more a means of keeping in touch with potential entrepreneurs and providing little ‘nuggets’ of assistance that could kick-start their thinking and perhaps lead to more intensive assistance.” Business Link West Midlands, which is aiming to provide pre-start support to 43,259 individuals between now and 2010, is providing an enterprise offer that puts tailored support and access to finance at the heart of its approach. The emphasis will no longer be on standard seminars or 3-day courses, with relationship managers now in place to ensure each individual or company is matched with the right adviser, at the right time and with the right external support.