Business Resource Service

We identified, through an extensive research programme, that traditional methods of government funded business assistance were not always effectively meeting the real needs of the business community. This was particularly noticeable in the case of  those  SMEs at the smaller end of the scale, who  had a real need for "hands-on" practical help with relatively small specific projects for which they didn't have the required skills or time resource internally.

This finding was tested and fully verified in  Devon & Cornwall  using a pilot project through Business Link Devon and Cornwall.  The results were very encouraging and a fourfold growth in the programme was achieved within 3 years. 

With this track record of success, South and Mid Glamorgan TECs introduced The Business Resource Service into Wales, followed by TEC South East Wales in 1999/2000,  and each organisation experienced similar success.
Care was taken to ensure that this service complemented, rather than competing with the other existing business support services already provide by existing fund holders.

BRS OPERATING PRINCIPLES

The entire programme has been run under the general principles of :-
Customer Focused, Tightly Managed, High Quality Advice at Low Cost with Quick and Flexible Response giving Measurable Results. The key areas for success are:

• Hands-on Assistance at Low Cost to Client - comparable to other professional advice inputs
• High perceived value for money on the part of the Client
• Flexible approach - in timing and frequency of visits, costing, and format of work
• Quick Response in processing applications, allocating funds and giving the go-ahead
• Good Quality Assistance to enhance the market perception of the funding body
• Tightly Managed and Controlled with reliable Quality Assurance Assignments
• Full Terms of Reference, Progress Reviews all centrally monitored and controlled
• Customer focused programme of help
• Available only for the "right" type of companies - able and willing to grow and currently viable
• Large comprehensive database of good quality advisors - a Managed Network of Practitioners
• Hassle Free and minimal demands upon the funding body
• Continuous Performance Measurement and Improvement