Has anyone gone to BiG for help with setting up anew business>

I'm looking for some help with my business plan and also some funding. Does anyone know what they are like? Good/bad? Is it hard to get funding? How long does it take?

Basically any info at all is great help

Ta!

I have nothing but praise for the organisation, not through personal experiance, but that of my clients. I have four clients that are either currently get support or have had support and I am convinced that they would not be doing what they are if it had not been for their help.

Don't think of it as 'just for funding', their advise is just as valuable.

Good luck!

Has anyone gone to BiG for help with setting up anew business>

I'm looking for some help with my business plan and also some funding. Does anyone know what they are like? Good/bad? Is it hard to get funding? How long does it take?

Basically any info at all is great help

Ta!
I set up my training Company last year through their help and advice. I can recommend them

Lizzie - give us a try, and do let people know what your experience was like.

Start with: thebigwebsite.org.uk

Has anyone gone to BiG for help with setting up anew business>

I'm looking for some help with my business plan and also some funding. Does anyone know what they are like? Good/bad? Is it hard to get funding? How long does it take?

Basically any info at all is great help

Ta!

I've not had any direct experience of BIG but I know a lot of people who rave about them. Also try Business Link as they are very good at sign posting where to look for help (and they have funds available to help get a business started).

There are numerous funding sources but it is, somewhat, dependant upon what your business is/will be? Can you say what your business is about?

I've written a generic blog about starting a business at www.starting-a-new-business.co.uk where there are a number of references for support/funding sources.

Good luck with whatever it is you have in mind!

Thanks Steve, that's a great help. The blog looks really helpful.

I dont want to say too much cos its so early on but its in retail and I believe there's gap in market but then i'm biased!

Lizzie - give us a try, and do let people know what your experience was like.

Start with: thebigwebsite.org.uk

Is BIG associated with SYIF? I've already made an enquiry with them and were not interested as we haven't begun trading yet (which we cant until the software is developed that we need a loan for).

No BiG is a LEGi funded project specific to Sheffield which is all about business start up so it doesnt particularly matter if you have not started tradeing yet

Hi, I found them terrible to deal with! I found them very pushy, they no longer offer funding only loans. I felt almost as if I couldnt get the help unless I opted for their money, which really I didnt need.

I also have encountered other business who have had far worse problems then I had.
One of them was threatend that if they didnt use the web designer offered to them by BIG then they wouldn't sell the domain url she had paid them to buy!
Lets put it this way its run by business men and women (all who at one point have been high flying makes you wonder if they were so good why give it up to earn minimal amounts in comparisen. when they could still help small businesses without giving up thier own.
Feel free to try them out, but go with an open mind and dont be dissapointed if their not all you hoped.

Just wondered if anyone working at BIG had a track record of running a succesful business?

the person I spoke to had never sustained one!

Why do you offer up that information?!? When trying to install confidence in your services. MAD!

Hi, I found them terrible to deal with! I found them very pushy, they no longer offer funding only loans. I felt almost as if I couldnt get the help unless I opted for their money, which really I didnt need.

I also have encountered other business who have had far worse problems then I had.
One of them was threatend that if they didnt use the web designer offered to them by BIG then they wouldn't sell the domain url she had paid them to buy!



I've not worked with BIG, but have been messed about by other organisations.

It appears a lot have a bank of web designers, graphic designers - all the people a start up needs. Some organisations apply for grants to pay for these services for a start up, but they negotiate a discount with the supplier, giving them a payment for 'brokering' the deal.

As a start up myself Business Link have no interest in me as I am not creating jobs. I have not contacted BIG but my opinion is just to lead your business by yourself. There are too many people employed as 'eneterprise advisors' etc, offering the same basic advice anyone can find on the internet and all this Government money is doing is keeping them in jobs.

As a start up myself Business Link have no interest in me as I am not creating jobs. I have not contacted BIG but my opinion is just to lead your business by yourself. There are too many people employed as 'eneterprise advisors' etc, offering the same basic advice anyone can find on the internet and all this Government money is doing is keeping them in jobs.

Unfortunately, I feel the same.

BL came to see me a while back and gave me a generic introduction to web marketing "fact sheet" and offered a "critique" of my website.

I declined - I don't think it matters one jot what an "advisor" thinks.

The test is much simpler - does it get me the business ? Yeah or neah?

Also, looking at my alexa ranking and other metrics , I reckon I get (a lot) more traffic than some of the marketing companies he was mentioning.

I agree with go4it - I will paddle my own canoe...

Unfortunately, I feel the same.

BL came to see me a while back and gave me a generic introduction to web marketing "fact sheet" and offered a "critique" of my website.

I declined - I don't think it matters one jot what an "advisor" thinks.

The test is much simpler - does it get me the business ? Yeah or neah?

Also, looking at my alexa ranking and other metrics , I reckon I get (a lot) more traffic than some of the marketing companies he was mentioning.

I agree with go4it - I will paddle my own canoe...

Agree to a point these types of organisations Big, Business Link give very general generic advice and are of little use to me although they may point people in the right direction.

Lot's of points here: firstly, several people involved with BiG and giving advice on various aspects of starting and running a business do have good track records. Quite a few are still involved with their own businesses (my wife and I have a company which works well enough to require VAT registration before the end of year one).
As important is knowing what is likely to make a business fail and experience of that is best gained by working with a variety of companies - no one can learn enough simply by doing.
Finally, a recent FSB survey found a substantial proportion of small business owners relied most heavily on family and friends for advice on issues like Sales & Marketing and Finance. The sectors this was most prevelant in - Catering and Motor Transport. Coincidentally (?), the two sectors where failure rates are highest - even in "good" times.
Not everyone needs business support but for those able to take advantage of it, especially via programmes like BiG, there are benefits that cannot be obtained via the web, etc.
Where on the internet are you going to find an experienced salesperson to work directly with (and for) your company to help bring in business - and develop methods of customer retention to improve sustainability?
It's free, there's nothing to lose - so do give it a try.

I don't know if Sheffield's LEGI programme includes a mentoring scheme but we have one in Doncaster. Perhaps they should consider something similar.

The Doncaster LEGI funds a mentoring scheme run by Deloitte, and the mentors are actually people like myself who currently run their own business or are recently or early retired successful business owners (some having run big companies). They have a range of skills and experience and anyone running or starting a business in Doncaster can tap into these mentors free of charge as and when they need it.

No forms to fill in other than maybe to register into the programme. We meet up with our clients at a day and time to suit them, I see mine on a day time, evenings or weekends and the amount of sessions is not limited. I provide free advice on a range of business subjects though I focus mainly around websites and marketing. I have also delivered an internet marketing course for a group of clients.

Having run SENTA for nearly 4 years and worked with a team of business advisors, I understand that advice might appear quite generic and yes it can all be found on the internet if someone would rather find it that way rather than talk it over. The difference is that an adviser can explain the bits you don't understand or help you make a choice. Or if it's beyond what they provide, they can point you in the right direction.

If you are beyond that level and require more advanced help or specific to your sector, then BL might have something more appropriate but what is a fact is that there is not something for everybody. Everything is led by criteria with this sort of thing and the government is only supporting people, industries and geographical areas that are lacking and if improved, could generate more taxes, more jobs and a more stable economy.

Liz can comment more appropriately on the mentoring side of BiG, but it is working really well and, as with Doncaster, has a range of business people from a variety of backgrounds.
You can see the reports on how the programme is performing on the website.
However, BiG supports businesses in Sheffield, irrespective of geography, sector, or other criteria.
The whole point is that it reaches the parts and works in ways that mainstream business support can't - and it works. So much so that we get enquiries from other regions who want to use what we have here as a model for best practice.
With a very few exceptions, there is something for everyone; from pre-starts to established businesses, sole traders to limited companies. It costs nothing to try and the paperwork is minimal because, like Doncaster LEGI, the focus is where it shoudl be - on the client.

Not dealt with BiG, was involved in the launch at St Pauls and just thought... "hum" - the programme seems to be aimed at kids from bad areas and without qualifications.

Dealt with Business Link, had to wait 3 months to see the marketing man to be told not an awful lot. I'm sure for people who haven't been self employed for 3 years like myself prior to setting up a business its useful information. I felt like I was taking up an appointment that someone with no business knowledge should have had.

I don't know if Sheffield's LEGI programme includes a mentoring scheme but we have one in Doncaster. Perhaps they should consider something similar.


Yes that the part of BiG that I run, The Entrepreneurs Exchange. A bank of individuals who are willing to give their time up for free to act as mentors, buddies and speakers to schools and colleges or to new and existing businesses. We are trying to ensure the exchange reflects the business community in Sheffield and includes people from all stages, backgrounds and fields of entrepreneurship to offer support. Our role is to broker these relationships to make it as simple as possible for every one involved. One form to register from both the 'mentor' and 'mentee' and anything from a one off meeting to a long term support relationship offered. People wanting to take this up either are referred to us from other partners of the BiG project or come to us direct and we have never turned any one down for this support, in fact several members of the Sheffield forum have been on both sides of this type of support

I act as one of the mentors on the BIG programme and I think it is a worthwhile and brilliant scheme. I give up my time for free because i want more people in Sheffield to succeed in working for themselves and to show kids coming out of school that it is a viable alternative to going to university, or getting a "real" job. They have some extremely qualified and successful business people involved in the mentoring scheme, far more so than I am, and I think anyone setting up a new business in Sheffield should look to take advantage of their bank of Entrepreneurs.

From it I have got 2 new suppliers, and I have met lots of people who challenge what I am doing and who have made me think how can I make We Love Sleep better. The people involved are trying to make a difference to the people in sheffield who want to set up their own business.

I, like a couple of people on here got little help from the likes of Business Link in setting up my new business two years a go. I wish BIG had been as established then as it is now, and that I had known about it, because if I could have had a mentor who had experience of retaling on line it would have stopped me making lots and lots of mistakes and would have helped me grow quicker......


BIG is not giving you just an enterprise advisor who gives you information you could get of the internet, it is giving you someone who has been there and done it, and done it quite successfully........

I used to think that I was happy paddling my own canoe, and that my experience of the market I work in would see me thriough, but I don;'t think like that at all now. I think that getting as many people to give their opinions of what you are doing will lead to unearthing those little nuggests that are often the difference between success and failure.....

However, BiG supports businesses in Sheffield, irrespective of geography, sector, or other criteria.
I think that it should be made clearer, that BiG appears to support initiatives/businesses in 'central' Sheffield, rather than 'with a Sheffield postcode'.

I have referred several clients to BiG, since becoming aware of the initiative. At least two of them have since let me know that BiG would not support them, as they are out of the 'catchment area' (yet still with a S postcode).

That said, BiG is certainly making a louder splash than Business Link at the moment... and good on them for it :thumbsup:

Sheffield postocodes spread into Rotherham, Barnsley, etc.
The geographic criteria is that the individual lives within the Sheffield City Council Local Authority boundary, or the business is located here.
If you have details of anyone meeting either of those conditions who has een refused on the grounds of geography, then please forward them to me (via pm).
Tizhimi - Enterprise Match is the project within BiG that helps businesses with Sales and Marketing. I can guarantee that no one will wait 3 months to see one of our Sales Managers - we get back to clients almost immediately after referral and make an appointment with the date/time/location to suit the client and the business.
BiG is NOT mainstream business support - that's precisely why LEGI funding was introduced, and why it's working so well in Sheffield that other parts of the country want to replicate what's done here.

I have had a variety of help through different strands of the BiG project and overall I do think the project started off with good aims and has done a lot of good for many people who otherwise wouldn't have accessed this kind of help or been encouraged to set up. Unfortunately whether it's of much help to you or not will depend on whom you get as your Neighbourhood Enterprise Champion (NEC) - be aware there is little consistency on what they offer and how proactive they are.

I was 'lucky' enough to get my website funded. However it's been a farce from start to ...oh yes, it's not yet finished. First SENTA were going to fund it, but the advisor didn't spend any of his funding on any of his clients in time so the money got taken back. BiG agreed to take it over (this was when they still had funds to spend on clients). There was a HUGE time lag where they didn't pay the developers though they have now been paid months ago but I am still waiting for them to finish my site.

The whole scenario has taken more than a year and it doesn't matter what I do, the developers seem to have given up. On 11th March 2009 my images were to have been uploaded to the site; that didn't happen so I have been chasing them - latest that the site would be finished by 'close of play Wednesday 13th May' - yesterday. Today? Still not done. Over the past months, I've complained in writing, over the phone, face-to-face, tried to be nice, tried getting angry, gone back to BiG to complain but all to no avail.

Given that I can't withhold payment as they've had the money and that BiG doesn't refer clients to them anymore (mostly because BiG doesn't have funds to pay for this now), I don't have the leverage of getting BiG on their back either. So what do I do?

Also a word of warning - unless things have changed, BiG only help people who are pre-start and then once you have started trading they pass you over to a 'Post-start adviser' at SENTA. They aren't entirely clear on all the help they could give you as a pre-start so you may miss out on something that could have helped you with if they'd made it known to you so keep asking what they can do for you before you start trading.

In response to my enquiries about why various help had never been made available in the pre-start stage, I was told by someone (senior enough in BiG to know better) that while they couldn't offer me that help now I'd started trading, if I wanted to dissolve my business and start it again under a different name then there would be nothing to stop me doing that and then claiming the help I should have been given first time round' I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It clearly showed a complete lack of understanding of business and of how inefficient and poorly managed the NECs were at that time that the scheme was so process driven.

Anyway, I have to say that through the scheme I have been introduced to certain individuals who have really helped me, but I am relieved now that I am past the stage of needing to jump through the BiG/SENTA hoops and can get on with running my business. I still refer people I know to investigate the BiG scheme but to bear in mind that it's a system that has to be played and unless you get one of the good NECs, don't expect them to champion your business as I feel the scheme has become more about ticking boxes than real interest in each client.

In response to my enquiries about why various help had never been made available in the pre-start stage, I was told by someone (senior enough in BiG to know better) that while they couldn't offer me that help now I'd started trading, if I wanted to dissolve my business and start it again under a different name then there would be nothing to stop me doing that and then claiming the help I should have been given first time round' I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It clearly showed a complete lack of understanding of business and of how inefficient and poorly managed the NECs were at that time that the scheme was so process driven.To me, this would rather show a complete lack of professionalism and amount to downright unethical conduct, never mind a lack of understanding about business basics.
Nice to see how public funds can get mismanaged all the way down to the macro-economical scale :rolleyes:

Hi there,

Im reading this post at just the right time. This last week Ive realised I need to seriously get some pointers on finding new business, funding and accountancy. Ive joined up with the scci (unfortunately I now have to find the 119 GBP they ask for annual membership), Contacted SENTA today to see if they can possibly help with pointers too.

Are BIG seperate from SENTA?. Or are they different and can they help as well?.

Kind Regards
Neil

BiG is centrally managed from Sheffiedl City Council but it is a collaboration of delivery partners and SENTA are one of many that work on the project, other partners include B&ESY (Who I work for) Creative Sheffield, PRIME, SOAR, ZEST ( http://www.thebigwebsite.org.uk/index.asp?pgid=123172 for a full list) . SENTA should be able to help you access BiG support and may refer you to another delivery partner but they should also be able to plug you in to different types of support also if they are more relevant to you and your business.

one of many that work on the project, other partners include B&ESY (Who I work for) Creative Sheffield, PRIME, SOAR, ZEST

Thats usually the roots of the problem (not just for "BiG" - but for any public sector/funded/non profit/quango)

Whenever two or more bureaucracies talk to each other or work in "partnership", a whole industry grows up to support this.

"Business advisors" makes sure they partner correctly, setting the "vision" for these partnerships and attending all the meetings

Glossy brochures printed to tell all the world about these alliances (because spending other people money is never a problem - see the MP's scandal at the moment:rolleyes:)

Presumably, numerous accountants will also be on hand to make sure all is well and above board too.

All of these organisations you have named will have their own internal hierarchies (formals and informal) inadequacies and private agenda's (as all organisations do)

Unfortunately, all this actually gets in the way of actually providing a service because it becomes more important to prove all the above than actually servicing the customer or end user (as peapod points out)

Hello,

I would like to apologise to those individuals who feel they have not been provided with satisfactory support from the BiG programme. It is unfortunate that you have not had the service you anticipated and if anyone wishes to contact me to discuss the programme I would welcome hearing from you and looking at how we can improve the service. So far in Sheffield we have helped over 270 businesses set up and we have over 1000 clients who we are working with across Sheffield, the majority have positive feedback and we would like to work to improve this.

Jo
0114 2735981

[QUOTE=LizG2008;5013166] B&ESY (Who I work for) Creative Sheffield, PRIME, SOAR, ZEST [QUOTE]

What do Creative Sheffield actually do? Why do we need all these organisations? Can't we have one organisation to rule them all? Or better still have none and use the money for something else in enterprise?

Well I can only speak for my own organisation B&ESY, we are not an agency in the same sense that some of these groups are. We are a not for profit whose core business comes from providing services that link Business and Education e.g. work experience placements (hence our full title Business & Education South Yorkshire) We went through a bidding process for this particular part of the project (the Entrepreneur Exchange) as it links in well with our expertise in the area of Education and Business partnerships. The reason BiG has so many partners is so that each individual section can be organised by the groups with the correct expertise to make it effective and stop the blanket business advice approach.

Creative Sheffield, like us is delivering the parts of the project that fit best with their focus http://www.creativesheffield.co.uk/ as do other projects

Jo, perhaps you could explain what you do for BIG?

I think the more detail we all have the better

Has anyone been sent to Peter Morgan via BiG via SENTA.

If so what did you amke of him?

ooops.......That was supposed to read 'what did you make of him'?

Yes, I remember BIG. Strange one at that, when I went. I only popped in, to see if they can help a business..

Anyway, here I was, I shared what I want and I got..

"Can't help you mate, but look, I know you, you can, you know do something else.."

I was like, "what the heck is going on here."

Anyway, there was a lot of push, "how about this, hey, why not that, and maybe start something new..going on, you'd do good and help around, with all your skills...and.."

Anyway, I didn't go back and kept following what I wanted to do and brill, I'm sorted.

It was one of those wierd days where I wondered if I was talking in another language...

"No mate, I want to do this."
"Listen how about you do something new and.."
"Look, I'm serious, I already run a biz, if you can't help then..."
"Well, look how about you know this.."

I walked out thinking, here we go again. No thanks. Cheers.

So, Hook - how did it all pan out?

Hello,

I work as part of the central team that manage the overall delivery of the entire BiG: Make it Your Business programme. If anyone would like any information about the programme, to talk through an enquiry or provide feedback you can ring our freephone number - 0800 043 55 22.

Kindest regards,

Jo

We found BiG helpful, didnt get any funding, but overal thought they were useful. :thumbsup:

I guess it depends on the type of business as well.

the person I spoke to had never sustained one!

Why do you offer up that information?!? When trying to install confidence in your services. MAD!

How does the saying go? if you want advice from an expert on ladders talk to someone that's fallen off one!.

I have also spoke to someone at BIG who has had both a failed business and mid successful one, at least it is first hand experiance. But as you said in your previous statement, if they had currently got a wildly successful company, they would not have the time to do this full time, never mind as you said, for low council wages.

So if they can help some people good luck to them, I wish the same help was about when i started out.

TheBiz:;);

In English Friend?

Yes, I remember BIG. Strange one at that, when I went. I only popped in, to see if they can help a business..

Anyway, here I was, I shared what I want and I got..

"Can't help you mate, but look, I know you, you can, you know do something else.."

I was like, "what the heck is going on here."

Anyway, there was a lot of push, "how about this, hey, why not that, and maybe start something new..going on, you'd do good and help around, with all your skills...and.."

Anyway, I didn't go back and kept following what I wanted to do and brill, I'm sorted.

It was one of those wierd days where I wondered if I was talking in another language...

"No mate, I want to do this."
"Listen how about you do something new and.."
"Look, I'm serious, I already run a biz, if you can't help then..."
"Well, look how about you know this.."

I walked out thinking, here we go again. No thanks. Cheers.

In English Friend!:confused:

I have had a variety of help through different strands of the BiG project and overall I do think the project started off with good aims and has done a lot of good for many people who otherwise wouldn't have accessed this kind of help or been encouraged to set up. Unfortunately whether it's of much help to you or not will depend on whom you get as your Neighbourhood Enterprise Champion (NEC) - be aware there is little consistency on what they offer and how proactive they are.

I was 'lucky' enough to get my website funded. However it's been a farce from start to ...oh yes, it's not yet finished. First SENTA were going to fund it, but the advisor didn't spend any of his funding on any of his clients in time so the money got taken back. BiG agreed to take it over (this was when they still had funds to spend on clients). There was a HUGE time lag where they didn't pay the developers though they have now been paid months ago but I am still waiting for them to finish my site.

The whole scenario has taken more than a year and it doesn't matter what I do, the developers seem to have given up. On 11th March 2009 my images were to have been uploaded to the site; that didn't happen so I have been chasing them - latest that the site would be finished by 'close of play Wednesday 13th May' - yesterday. Today? Still not done. Over the past months, I've complained in writing, over the phone, face-to-face, tried to be nice, tried getting angry, gone back to BiG to complain but all to no avail.

Given that I can't withhold payment as they've had the money and that BiG doesn't refer clients to them anymore (mostly because BiG doesn't have funds to pay for this now), I don't have the leverage of getting BiG on their back either. So what do I do?

Also a word of warning - unless things have changed, BiG only help people who are pre-start and then once you have started trading they pass you over to a 'Post-start adviser' at SENTA. They aren't entirely clear on all the help they could give you as a pre-start so you may miss out on something that could have helped you with if they'd made it known to you so keep asking what they can do for you before you start trading.

In response to my enquiries about why various help had never been made available in the pre-start stage, I was told by someone (senior enough in BiG to know better) that while they couldn't offer me that help now I'd started trading, if I wanted to dissolve my business and start it again under a different name then there would be nothing to stop me doing that and then claiming the help I should have been given first time round' I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It clearly showed a complete lack of understanding of business and of how inefficient and poorly managed the NECs were at that time that the scheme was so process driven.

Anyway, I have to say that through the scheme I have been introduced to certain individuals who have really helped me, but I am relieved now that I am past the stage of needing to jump through the BiG/SENTA hoops and can get on with running my business. I still refer people I know to investigate the BiG scheme but to bear in mind that it's a system that has to be played and unless you get one of the good NECs, don't expect them to champion your business as I feel the scheme has become more about ticking boxes than real interest in each client.

You are very well informed! past employee with axe to grind perhaps.
thebiz:rolleyes:

an axe to grind with whom?

Thats usually the roots of the problem (not just for "BiG" - but for any public sector/funded/non profit/quango)

Whenever two or more bureaucracies talk to each other or work in "partnership", a whole industry grows up to support this.

"Business advisors" makes sure they partner correctly, setting the "vision" for these partnerships and attending all the meetings

Glossy brochures printed to tell all the world about these alliances (because spending other people money is never a problem - see the MP's scandal at the moment:rolleyes:)

Presumably, numerous accountants will also be on hand to make sure all is well and above board too.

All of these organisations you have named will have their own internal hierarchies (formals and informal) inadequacies and private agenda's (as all organisations do)

Unfortunately, all this actually gets in the way of actually providing a service because it becomes more important to prove all the above than actually servicing the customer or end user (as peapod points out)

This is an interesting thread as it articulates the challenges of Government (irrespective of their colour) genuinely wanting to help stimulate the economy. We, the public (quite rightly) want to know that our money is being spent wisely and legally. This means every penny spent has to be audited and justified to political masters who are answerable to us, the public. Over time, this culture of needing to report good governance in spending public funds is being turned into 'ticking the boxes' i.e. those controlling the funding are looking to the service provider to demonstrate that they are meeting the objectives set by Government. BIG are not alone in this; many of the agencies we engage with are doing similar things. One of the differences with BIG is that they are using their own staff to do delivery, where many of the other agencies contract with external commercial organisations to do delivery i.e. the role of the agency is to sign post people to organisations who have past experience of doing what the scheme is set up to do; I have sympathy with the statement "If the agency staff are so good at business; why aren't they doing it themselves?" which is one of the reasons why other agencies outsource delivery (there are lots of 'political' reasons too; I'll save that for another thread some day!!!). I know BIG are looking to outsource some of their service delivery as I did see a tender posted on the Sheffield City Council web site; so I think they are realising that they need to supplement their in house delivery with experience from external sources.
In their defence; my view is their role is to stimulate entrepreneurship in the region; to provide mentorship to get people started. However ultimately, running a business is about self sustainability...you have to be able to prove to yourself that you can run a viable business; otherwise Government might as well do it for us (NO THANK YOU :))

This is an interesting thread as it articulates the challenges of Government (irrespective of their colour) genuinely wanting to help stimulate the economy. We, the public (quite rightly) want to know that our money is being spent wisely and legally. This means every penny spent has to be audited and justified to political masters who are answerable to us, the public. Over time, this culture of needing to report good governance in spending public funds is being turned into 'ticking the boxes' i.e. those controlling the funding are looking to the service provider to demonstrate that they are meeting the objectives set by Government. BIG are not alone in this; many of the agencies we engage with are doing similar things. One of the differences with BIG is that they are using their own staff to do delivery, where many of the other agencies contract with external commercial organisations to do delivery i.e. the role of the agency is to sign post people to organisations who have past experience of doing what the scheme is set up to do; I have sympathy with the statement "If the agency staff are so good at business; why aren't they doing it themselves?" which is one of the reasons why other agencies outsource delivery (there are lots of 'political' reasons too; I'll save that for another thread some day!!!). I know BIG are looking to outsource some of their service delivery as I did see a tender posted on the Sheffield City Council web site; so I think they are realising that they need to supplement their in house delivery with experience from external sources.
In their defence; my view is their role is to stimulate entrepreneurship in the region; to provide mentorship to get people started. However ultimately, running a business is about self sustainability...you have to be able to prove to yourself that you can run a viable business; otherwise Government might as well do it for us (NO THANK YOU :))
A very good and unbiased post.

an axe to grind with whom?


I'm just saying that this person either has worked for BIG? or been turned down for funding. just sounds to be very well informed?

the biz:rolleyes:

They just gave their experience, and yes they didn't get anywhere and judging by their comments not surprised if they are peeved off, You don't need to be an ex employee or not qualify for funding to still be peeved by the level of service you got. I understand completely what they are saying and it can and does happen, no point pretending everything is always perfect. What they have said isnt a pack of lies its factual and the other is their own experience.

In their defence; my view is their role is to stimulate entrepreneurship in the region; to provide mentorship to get people started. However ultimately, running a business is about self sustainability...you have to be able to prove to yourself that you can run a viable business; otherwise Government might as well do it for us (NO THANK YOU :))

Thats very true and I suppose they are flooded with people who are looking for their phone bill paying by someone else and generally everything handed on a plate.

Personally though, I prefer to learn from people who have been their and done it..

Thats very true and I suppose they are flooded with people who are looking for their phone bill paying by someone else and generally everything handed on a plate.

Personally though, I prefer to learn from people who have been their and done it..

That is why they have the mentoring scheme, so people setting up their businesses can learn from people who have been there and done it....

Can I add to what James@WLS has said, the buddying or mentoring opportunities that the Entrepreneurs Exchange provide(one of the Big projects) are most definitely open to a wider range of individuals than just pre starts. I wont lie, we do of course have targets to meet but these include, pre start, start up and existing business plus the Entrepreneurs Networking club is all about collaboration and interaction between more established business people in Sheffield mentoring each other and helping business development overall in Sheffield

They just gave their experience, and yes they didn't get anywhere and judging by their comments not surprised if they are peeved off, You don't need to be an ex employee or not qualify for funding to still be peeved by the level of service you got. I understand completely what they are saying and it can and does happen, no point pretending everything is always perfect. What they have said isnt a pack of lies its factual and the other is their own experience.

:rolleyes:the biz

as all 6 of your posts are directed at this one person I find it a tad fishy too ;)

To Peapodd, sorry for my original comments, I have now started looking into the BIG programme, it would appear you are quite right one or two good people, some dazzling ideas on how to run a business! the problem is a couple of comments on here does not give much of a shake. The main problem seems to be, it is alot easier to spend a pot of money than it is to make one. And it is public sector so a lot of hoops to jump through and these hoops change when funders change. Please keep informed of your progress.

The Biz

as all 6 of your posts are directed at this one person I find it a tad fishy too ;)



replied to 3 people inc yourself! :|

thebiz

yeah, that's what I said, all related to same thing ;)

yeah, that's what I said, all related to same thing ;)

It just so happened to be the first subject i saw after joining the forum, i should have looked into it more before passing a comment!
Sorry i made the comments, but why are you so upset by them, they not directed at you! The subject matter is of interest to me as i have been invited to work for them, and i am giving it consideration, but when i hear some neg thoughts i wanted to know more!;)

thebiz

oh well, all you needed to do instead was ask.

Job offered at BiG or SENTA?

pretty hopeless.

Went in to see an advisor 4 months ago. Have been in several times since, plus once to see a web developer. As well as 3 meetings with web designers to give 3 quotes fo the grant. I've no idea of the outcome of the meeting and my 'business plan' has been resubmitted several times. Still waiting for a decision about a microgrant. I've been told it will be another 4 weeks - that will mean I've been waiting for 5 months.

Had a call this morning from someone asking for information I've given them months ago. Doesn't seem to be a lot of communication happening. I've now emailed the line producer to complain about the amount of time and energy I've wasted.

I wish I'd just started up when I had the idea. I think the whole thing is a farce.

pretty hopeless.

Went in to see an advisor 4 months ago. Have been in several times since, plus once to see a web developer. As well as 3 meetings with web designers to give 3 quotes fo the grant. I've no idea of the outcome of the meeting and my 'business plan' has been resubmitted several times. Still waiting for a decision about a microgrant. I've been told it will be another 4 weeks - that will mean I've been waiting for 5 months.

Had a call this morning from someone asking for information I've given them months ago. Doesn't seem to be a lot of communication happening. I've now emailed the line producer to complain about the amount of time and energy I've wasted.

I wish I'd just started up when I had the idea. I think the whole thing is a farce.

I had already contacted Senta when I contacted BIG. Senta weren't must help so I had hopes for BIG.

2 weeks after initial enquiry I got a phone message on Friday afternoon around 3pm (I was not around):

'Can you call me back today, otherwise I'm off for 2 weeks'

Called back at the start of the next week, asked if there was anyone else I could speak to. Booked in to see someone.

End up back at Senta! Same place. The advisors seems to jump between the two.

I was told that my website needed a health check, and that someone could look at it but I had to book an appointment. No doubt that person would find some problems and give me a quote for a brand new website. Was also told to complete a business plan, to which I said I didn't actually think there was much point as I knew exactly what I needed to do with the business - hence coming to BIG.

Overall - a complete waste of time. Another one to add to my list - Inspiral, Senta, Big.

He he....What can I say!

at least I never gave them any money! Line producer is upset at my opinion of SENTA and is chasing up the delay.