New look Business Link Yorkshire delivers results

MORE than 22,000 businesses and would-be entrepreneurs were helped by Business Link Yorkshire in the first three months following its re-organisation.

A team of 50 advisers have taken calls on topics ranging from exporting to marketing, product development to trading online since the restructured advisory service was launched on April 1.

Moreover, users are reporting an 89% satisfaction rate with the help and advice they have received.

Around 4,000 prospective entrepreneurs were also attracted to its four enterprise shows – an 25% increase on previous years.

Helen West, chief executive of Business Link Yorkshire, said that the results were a real credit to the organisation’s employees.

“This is a very significant achievement for a business that is only a few months old,” she said.

“Particularly when large numbers of new staff and teams were involved in training and induction. It demonstrates a customer focus in every part of the organisation.”

Accompanying the launch of Business Link Yorkshire was a new website, which has been used by both start-ups and established businesses, and a series of free workshops across the region on topics such as employment, managing finances and growing new markets.

The advisory service is also developing close working relationships with partners such as the Institute of Directors, the Federation of Small Businesses, manufacturers organisation EEF and local authorities to ensure better business support.