It as been confirmed that Business Link is to close as it been useful for you?

Have to say I've found them fairly useless. Not sure if that was their fault or the govt's. They had nothing to offer but a few very basic courses.

It as been confirmed that Business Link is to close as it been useful for you?

Where and from whom did you hear this? I know that the RDAs are to be abolishied by April 2012 and BL's contract is with Yorkshire Forward.

There is talk about the formation of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) but I've had nothing confirmed officially yet.

YF is the RDA so if the RDA is out, so is BL, is what I presume the OP is referring to.

that is a bit of a shock...and a disappointment.

ive found their courses to be quite useful and a new business, although some sessions have been better than other.


x

I never managed go get anything useful from them.

They called me today asking if there was any courses or help I needed.

Very useful in theory...

I know that the RDAs are to be abolished by April 2012 and BL's contract is with Yorkshire Forward.I'd expect the usual re-branding exercise, in parallel with RIFs. Nothing to get too excited about.

"It will be BL, Jim. But not as we know it."

They called me today asking if there was any courses or help I needed.

Very useful in theory...

Were all the courses either depressingly basic, with poorly defined benefits, in another city and/or takling place during the working day by any chance?

I get sick of seeing the same old stuff being churned over with cheesy titles like 'how to make your website a customer magnet'. Sorry but that doesn't float my boat at all, don't know how anyone else feels.

I also lost a bit of respect for the system. I was told that tendering to deliver the courses meant going through a process and having certain things in place. Fine, that's normal and to be expected. Anyway some short time after that I went on a certain 'course' (I wont mention which one so it can't be traced - you never know who is reading!!) and firstly the presenter turned up quite late, then told me she hadn't been through any tender process. The session was a common business topic so not like it could have been hard to get anyone tendring for it. I just puts me off when there is that sort of thing going off.

Actually, quite useful, they sent me a load of stuff in importing and VAT returns, nothing I couldn't get from the web, though.

And the courses are Basic VAT, and things like: you guessed it, Marketing Magic, Promotion Power, and many others designed to supercharge your business!

Do they do a course on 'Cost Benefits Analysis'?

I wont be sorry to see Business links funding been cut, only a small amount of the courses are trully worth it and there are too many people on a payday that shouldnt be- hopefully funds will be far better directed and we can all see more benefit out of the system over the next few years.

i found their courses to be very hit and miss.. the website one was awful, the presenter just read from the booklet he handed out. i left half way through..

but then again who will fill that gap for new business when they've gone. the govt are talking about encouraging people to set up businesses but without the support then we'll be back where we started

i found their courses to be very hit and miss.. the website one was awful, the presenter just read from the booklet he handed out. i left half way through..

but then again who will fill that gap for new business when they've gone. the govt are talking about encouraging people to set up businesses but without the support then we'll be back where we started

I think the point is that the 'support' was so poor - and expensive - that we'd be no worse off without it.

I doubt there are many succesful businesses that would not exist without businesslink.

I agree with the courses being a bit hit and miss, you do get a free orange juice though!
Just thought i'd mention, when I set my business up we had a man called David Greyhurst help us out from business link. He was absoloutely brilliant, he helped us find funding, without which we would have most certainly gone under.
He came around to the premisies on a regular basis and helped highlight any problems which may arise.
Cheers Dave!

I agree with the courses being a bit hit and miss, you do get a free orange juice though!

It's not free. See that tax bill you received ....

It's not free. See that tax bill you received ....

Tax well spent!:hihi:

Tax well spent!:hihi:

That's as may be, but it wasn't 'free' :(

In my case they were rather surprised I had a coherent, costed and realistic business plan, knowledge of the industry I wished to enter and contacts in it and a source of funding.

I only went to see them for advice on any grants or anything I might be able to get, but nothing came of it.

We managed to get funding via Business Link. I suspect it may be down to the individual business link advisor you have? Dave called the right person on his mobile phone and we took it from there. Suppose it depends on who and what the advisor knows.

I agree with the courses being a bit hit and miss, you do get a free orange juice though!
Just thought i'd mention, when I set my business up we had a man called David Greyhurst help us out from business link. He was absoloutely brilliant, he helped us find funding, without which we would have most certainly gone under.
He came around to the premisies on a regular basis and helped highlight any problems which may arise.
Cheers Dave!

David is a great guy - that's why I am employed him at SENTA....though he then moved to BL after I left to be one of their advisors.

Doug Richard former Dragons Den panelist states in businesszone.
"Mark Prisk pulled the plug on the regional Business Link this week and I shall not mourn their passing.....
full article http://www.businesszone.co.uk/topic/regulation/doug-richard-exclusive-business-link-i-shall-not-mourn-your-passing

Just some of the latest courses offered by Business Link Yorkshire are listed below. How many are of them are what BL was intended for?

There seem to be a huge amount of Emperors new clothes courses dressed up as new media (ie internet) marketing that is of next to bugger all real use to most business and if you really need a "Business ideas" course then having a business probably isn't for you.

You asked us to send you alerts about new events that were of interest to you. Please find these listed below.

How to turn your Website into a Customer Magnet - The Lighthouse Group, Bradford
28 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to improve their existing website and increase customer base.

Confident, Stress free, Cold Calling to Win New Customers - Cedar Court, Bradford
02 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on a range of cold calling techniques. It will include how to get immediate attention and how to overcome initial rejections.

Bookkeeping and Accounts - Regent Hotel, Doncaster
14 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to financial record keeping.

Establish your Internet Presence - Quickly and Easily! - The Rainbow Centre, Hull
26 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will learn how to set up their own website in order to establish the internet presence of their business.

How to turn your Website into a Customer Magnet - The White Swan Hotel, Halifax
14 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to improve their existing website and increase customer base.

Taxation and VAT - Beverley Conference Centre
22 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to direct and indirect taxation and will cover a wide range of key tax-related issues including VAT, National Insurance and key tax dates.

Establish your Internet Presence - Quickly and Easily! - Holiday Inn, Barnsley
08 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will learn how to set up their own website in order to establish the internet presence of their business.

How to turn your Website into a Customer Magnet - Selby District AVS, Selby
06 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to improve their existing website and increase customer base.

Starting a Business - Finding and Keeping Customers - Guide Post Hotel, Bradford
09 Sep 2010

This workshop supplies the tools and facts on getting started in business.

Online Social Networks - Reaching Out to New Customers - Carlton Park Hotel, Rotherham
08 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with information on how to market through social network sites.

Email Marketing - New Business for Low Cost - Bodington Hall, Leeds
07 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with advice on how to improve the use of email and the internet so that they work as marketing tools.

Developing a High Performance Organisation - Swinden House Conference Centre, Rotherham
31 Aug 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to develop a new business culture, how to align people and processes and how to turn the principles of a high-performance business into practice.

Business Ideas - Ripon Council for Voluntary Service, Ripon
15 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

Marketing your Business - Monkbar Hotel, York
16 Aug 2010

This workshop will help delegates understand the basics of market research and marketing.

Getting the Price Right - Bridlington Spa Theatre and Royal Hall
13 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on various pricing strategies and give them the ability to form their own pricing structure.

Developing and Bringing New Ideas to Market - Great Victoria Hotel, Bradford
23 Sep 2010

This workshop will provided delegates with tips on how to establish frameworks for the production of effective and relevant ideas and how to select and use suitable decision making tools to produce workable ideas.

Business Ideas - Digital Media Centre, Barnsley
01 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

Bookkeeping and Accounts - Shine, Leeds
21 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to financial record keeping.

Business Ideas - Jury's Inn, Sheffield
06 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

How to turn your Website into a Customer Magnet - The Source at Meadowhall, Sheffield
14 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to improve their existing website and increase customer base.

Getting Ready for Business - The Courtyard, Goole
14 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Getting Ready for Business - Aspire, Leeds
21 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Getting the Price Right - City Training Services, Bradford
06 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on various pricing strategies and give them the ability to form their own pricing structure.

Taxation and VAT - Gumption Centres, Bradford
30 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to direct and indirect taxation and will cover a wide range of key tax-related issues including VAT, National Insurance and key tax dates.

Business Ideas - Hotel 53, York
07 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

Getting Ready for Business - Gumption Centres, Bradford
29 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Business Ideas - Goodwin Centre, Hull
10 Aug 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

Email Marketing - New Business for Low Cost - Kingsway Centre, Scunthorpe
21 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with advice on how to improve the use of email and the internet so that they work as marketing tools.

Bookkeeping and Accounts - The Source at Meadowhall, Sheffield
20 Aug 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to financial record keeping.

Getting Ready for Business - York Eco Business Centre
15 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Getting Ready for Business - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
02 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Joining Forces to win Bigger and Better Contracts - Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
07 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will gain information on how to increase their competitive advantage when tendering for new business.

Double Sales from your Brochures, Flyers, Ads, E-shots and Website - Holiday Inn, Barnsley
06 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with information on increasing their sales.

Starting a Business - Finding and Keeping Customers - Monkbar Hotel, York
19 Aug 2010

This workshop supplies the tools and facts on getting started in business.

Starting a Business - Finding and Keeping Customers - The Cairn Hotel, Harrogate
15 Sep 2010

This workshop supplies the tools and facts on getting started in business.

Business Ideas - Sneaton Castle, Whitby
14 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

Taxation and VAT - Sneaton Castle, Whitby
23 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to direct and indirect taxation and will cover a wide range of key tax-related issues including VAT, National Insurance and key tax dates.

Making Sales and Keeping Customers - City Training Services, Bradford
28 Jul 2010

During this workshop delegates will gain a comprehensive understanding of effective sales and customer service strategies.

Making Sales and Keeping Customers - Mount Pleasant, Doncaster
17 Aug 2010

During this workshop delegates will gain a comprehensive understanding of effective sales and customer service strategies.

Getting Ready for Business - Westone Meeting Rooms, Leeds
19 Aug 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Marketing your Business - Priory Campus, Barnsley
03 Sep 2010

This workshop will help delegates understand the basics of market research and marketing.

How to turn your Website into a Customer Magnet - Cliffe House, Huddersfield
03 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to improve their existing website and increase customer base.

Bookkeeping and Accounts - Cliffe House, Huddersfield
10 Aug 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to financial record keeping.

Taxation and VAT - The Quadrant, Sheffield
29 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to direct and indirect taxation and will cover a wide range of key tax-related issues including VAT, National Insurance and key tax dates.

Marketing your Business - Holiday Inn, Leeds
12 Jul 2010

This workshop will help delegates understand the basics of market research and marketing.

How to Become a Subcontractor - Village, Hull
29 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will gain information on how to create and develop new business contacts at different supply chain levels.

Confident, Stress free, Cold Calling to Win New Customers - Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough
21 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on a range of cold calling techniques. It will include how to get immediate attention and how to overcome initial rejections.

Starting a Business - Finding and Keeping Customers - York Pavilion Hotel, York
21 Sep 2010

This workshop supplies the tools and facts on getting started in business.

Developing and Bringing New Ideas to Market - Malmaison, Leeds
28 Sep 2010

This workshop will provided delegates with tips on how to establish frameworks for the production of effective and relevant ideas and how to select and use suitable decision making tools to produce workable ideas.

Getting Ready for Business - Park Inn, Rotherham
08 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Business Ideas - Park Inn, Doncaster
29 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with a range of techniques and approaches to generate ideas for new business.

Making Sales and Keeping Customers - Community Enterprise Centre, Hull
20 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will gain a comprehensive understanding of effective sales and customer service strategies.

Marketing your Business - Welburn Village Hall, Welburn
16 Sep 2010

This workshop will help delegates understand the basics of market research and marketing.

Meet the Buyer - Thirsk Racecourse, Thirsk
02 Sep 2010

This event will provide delegates with a cost-effective method of presenting products and services directly to major local buyers.

Developing a High Performance Organisation - York Pavilion Hotel, York
08 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to develop a new business culture, how to align people and processes and how to turn the principles of a high-performance business into practice.

Starting a Business - Finding and Keeping Customers - Woodend Creative Workspace, Scarborough
23 Sep 2010

This workshop supplies the tools and facts on getting started in business.

Taxation and VAT - Middleham Key Centre
11 Aug 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to direct and indirect taxation and will cover a wide range of key tax-related issues including VAT, National Insurance and key tax dates.

Taxation and VAT - Fusion @ Magna, Rotherham
09 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to direct and indirect taxation and will cover a wide range of key tax-related issues including VAT, National Insurance and key tax dates.

Creating a First Class Retail Customer Service - Ripon Racecourse, Ripon
30 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with information on the retail sales process and understanding the customer's perspective.

Online Social Networks - Reaching Out to New Customers - Bodington Hall, Leeds
07 Sep 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with information on how to market through social network sites.

How to turn your Website into a Customer Magnet - Boothferry Golf Club, Goole
18 Aug 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with information on how to improve their existing website and increase customer base.

Starting a Business - Finding and Keeping Customers - Carrwood Park, Leeds
21 Sep 2010

This workshop supplies the tools and facts on getting started in business.

Bookkeeping and Accounts - Bradford Chamber
05 Jul 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to financial record keeping.

Getting Ready for Business - Goodwin Centre, Hull
10 Aug 2010

During this workshop delegates will be provided with some tips and guidance on starting a business.

Bookkeeping and Accounts - Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
17 Sep 2010

This workshop will provide delegates with an introduction to financial record keeping.

Establish your Internet Presence - Quickly and Easily! - Westone Meeting Rooms, Leeds
12 Jul 2010

Sadly, all this crap detracts from the really useful stuff that BL does.

I think that BL improved greatly about 12-15 months ago, compared to what it was (don't get me started on their start-up antics with us ;)).

As with lots of funded quangos, they have to be all things to all people, which makes their information general, and not specific.

I have been along to several events which were great, good, useless; In recent months, I have particularly enjoyed the guest speakers who have taken the audience through their experiences.

If you are someone who has absolutely no idea where to start with your business, or you have completely lost you way, they can be useful. Which means, on the whole, it's a shame they are going.