Business Link Somerset aims to provide the support services needed by Somerset employers in order that they may compete profitably and win in their chosen markets.
Your first point of contact will probably be our Enquiry Team. They assess your needs and, as appropriate, either respond directly or signpost you to another part of our organisation or partnership.
You will be offered the opportunity to see one of our Business Advisers who will visit you to discuss your specific issues. He/she will help you to develop strategies that will overcome your problems and achieve your business objectives. Business Link Somerset itself may be able to help you, or we will guide you to the most appropriate source of assistance.

General Business Advisers
Our large team of Advisers have considerable practical experience of providing advice and support to local businesses.

Specialist Advisers:

Innovation and Technology
Providing advice on technical solutions, e-commerce and access to a network of specialist advice/expertise and the Information Society Initiative to promote the use of Information Technology.

Environmental
Providing a free environmental health check for organisations uncertain of their legal obligations and assisting in Health and Safety legislation.

Export Development
Assisting both newcomers and experienced exporters in identifying their export potential and markets for products and services.

Personnel
Providing an initial free assessment of your systems and legal obligations, and practical advice on issues regarding employment law and contracts of employment.

HR Advisory Service
Including a telephone helpline, redundancy counselling, retirement planning and career guidance. Visit www.hrhotdesk.co.uk for more information.

Community Enterprise
If you are involved in community enterprise, our Adviser is available to guide and support you through the development of your project.

Solutions to problems may not be available from just one service or organisation and are not confined to just one activity - we often put together a team of Advisers, or external sources of help, bringing together all the available expertise to arrive at a practical resolution. Our advice is confidential and impartial and we can assure all our clients that we do the utmost to seek cost effective, prompt and appropriate answers.

South West Register
Our Advisory Team may access this database of accredited consultants to help you with specific projects. In certain instances, we may be able to contribute to the cost of agreed projects. Contact a Business Adviser to find out more.

Somerset Start Up Programme
If you are starting out in business, we run a county wide programme of training courses and offer one-to-one counselling.

High Growth Start Up Programme
Personal mentoring is available to those start ups who meet the demanding criteria of this programme and aspire to rapid growth.

Information
The Information Team have access to a wide variety of on-line sources of business information and can help you with mailing lists, market research, credit checks and European grant searches.

Business Skills and In House Training
We run a varied programme of one or two day training sessions covering Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Technology and Web Site Design, Export, Quality, Employing People, and Regulatory Requirements.

Investors in People
A team of specialists on the Standard can provide you with the help and guidance you need to achieve the Investors in People Standard.

Access to other sources of help
Partners: Local Authorities (planning, economic development, waste management, education, regeneration, uniform business rates, local grants, business fares, directories, managed workspaces, etc)
Chambers of Commerce (export documentation, business networking)

Business Associations
Such as Federation of Small Business, Institute of Directors, CBI, etc (specialist information, networking and specific training). Further Education Colleges (training, centres of expertise) Prince's Trust (mentoring, grants and loans for young people), professional bodies such as Chartered Institute of Marketing, Institute of Chartered Accountants, The Law Society, MAFF, NFU, CLA and many others.

Other Programmes

Shell Technology Enterprise Programme (STEP) - undergraduate short-term placements in industry.
Teaching Company Scheme - graduate placements into industry over the long-term.
Executive Link - cost effective execution interim placements.