Member Article

Colston Business Support Network for small business

If you are a small business looking for support, then this services is for you.

If your business is able to offer support to small businesses, then you too could be part of our network.

This is what the Colston Business Support Network does: it brings together a range of small business support services, accessible from one place, that will help businesses grow.

The service is aimed at all local small businesses – that is, in the Bristol and greater Bristol area – whether you are a pre-start, start up or established business, whether you are a solo entrepreneur or command a large workforce.

And, while we already have a range of services and events in place, we are always looking for more - if you think you have sound advice and services to offer our audience, then we need to talk to you.

Our aim is to stimulate business, helping new and existing companies and ensuring the sustainability and success, not just of individual organisations, but of the Bristol business community as a whole.

Business Advice

The main form our advice service will take is a monthly business clinic centered around a specific topic of importance to small businesses. A local expert will give a short talk, followed by a detailed Q & A session or may offer timed slots for one-to-one analysis.

After this you are free to network and/or follow up with the speaker and, if appropriate, arrange a subsequent consultation - all absolutely free of charge.

Topics will include aspects of finance, accountancy and tax, marketing and PR, human resources, information and communication technology, business strategy and planning.

Business Seminars

A range of training events, primarily geared around all aspects of marketing and business strategy. These events are given by local experts and business leaders and are intended to be a detailed study on a specific area of benefit: in October we have workshops on NLP and social media.

Business Services

These services are from trusted local suppliers, usually at preferential rates. We can personally vouch for the quality of their service and believe they can make a difference to your business.

Apart from our own in-house admin support, we offer virtual PA and IT support, hosted desktop and email, business strategy mentoring, HR services, payroll, trade in China consultancy and much more.

Business Resources

We have a number of links to local and national resources providing a range of business support services, plus a variety of online resources offering help to business owners and managers.

Join the network

As s recent survey by Business West bears out, the biggest barriers to growth for small businesses include: lack of demand, lack of finance and lack of management time. The services available through the Network have been developed to combat some of these issues.

So, for small businesses in need of advice on employment law; the best places to go for funding; optimising their website and social media presence; accounting and taxation issues; or IT strategy, the Colston business Support Network is the place to go.

Talk to us now: Ring Barry Harvey on 0117 317 8090

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Barry Harvey .