Solution?

Deploy the army of independent professional business advisers to engage with SMEs.

Manufacturing is better served in the UK region of Yorkshire via the MAS scheme (Manufacturing Advisory Service) – independent advisers with manufacturing expertise are paid to carry out initial diagnostic overview. The scheme works well, but could work better. Up till now the other sectors in the region have struggled in comparison, in the light of this unfair treatment. The service delivery offered by Business Link is improving, but until the funding and support matches or mirrors the MAS scheme then I do not foresee a great improvement in productivity and profitability – which is clearly what SMEs, the UK Government and the UK Economy needs. (Please don’t tell me it is happening already, unless it’s new this week).

In conclusion.

Support needs to be pro-active i.e. go to SMEs rather than wait for them to come to the support.

Business Link and the Regional Development Agencies do maintain a service register of consultants. This is a help, but SMEs need more. This is one reason why Business Service Finder is being launched – a free online resource to help SMEs quickly, cheaply and effectively find the support that will make a difference to their business performance.

All professionals using the service have professional indemnity cover in addition to their professional credentials.