[Rob_Mac]

I have just had a meeting yesterday about Business mentoring

This is something done through Business Link (who fund it) It is only free to a point.

My mentor is a large accountancy firm and already they have given solid advice on my business structure, the perceived view of the business and how the business will be developed in the future.

There are criteria that have to be met. I didn't meet the gross earnings threshold but because of my nature and attitude they were prepared to take me on.

I am under no illusions that they are doing it for the love and am aware that they get paid well for assistance.

Their is a problem though - the funding is stopping. Business Link are going to be suffering through  cutbacks so if you want the advice and assistance get in their quick!!

Rob

[Alex Allen]

its all overrated with business link, only you can make the difference
you should know more about a window cleaning business, than any accountant
get yourself the right accountant and you get that advice all year round, every year
to help you make the decisions

[chopsie]

I agree with Alex. I went to business link soon after starting up, They never gave me any real help/advice, Just told me to carry on doing what i had been doing to gain customers  :  Oh and to try and see if i could sign back on the dole so I would be eligable for some sort of start up money off the dole!

[JoeMax]

Business Link - you'll learn a 100 times more about this business spending a few hours browsing through old posts on here.

While we're on this subject how does the Government help small businesses like ours?

If you sign onto the dole for 6 MONTHS they give you £50 a week whilst you're starting up your business, this continues for 16 weeks.

 :

[ant french]

i see inbiz through the job centre, its free.

[gr cleaning solutions]

i seen them all when i first started i got funding from working links about £750
i got carpet and upholstery cleaning and leather cleaning courses all paid for by morrisons trust got £50 a week for 16 wks and a set off ladders off the job centre and i went to business link and got nothing did not want to know

[ant french]

Business Link - you'll learn a 100 times more about this business spending a few hours browsing through old posts on here.

While we're on this subject how does the Government help small businesses like ours?

If you sign onto the dole for 6 MONTHS they give you £50 a week whilst you're starting up your business, this continues for 16 weeks.

 :

50 quid  i just come off income support and i will be getting 40 a week for a whole year while my business starts off and a one off sum of 250 quid which ill buy my backpack with.

[Rob_Mac]

The criteria for this level of assistance is a turnover around 200,000 Clearly the respondents are all wise and have no need of the mentoring because they know everything!!

Rob

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

rob did u spk to ste m 

[Rob_Mac]

Yes mate - thought i'd text you.

Spoke to him by text and he is getting rid of it when he gets his new set up and I have asked him to let me know and I will go over with a bit of cash and get it off him!!

Cheers

Ewan - if you read the initial post i never claimed to reach the earning cap. I have driven over to Boston this evening and have picked up some equipment (for my business), the guy I got it from was a business turnaround MD. Part of the converation we had (over a coffee) was to do with turning round multi million pound businesses that didn't realise there was anything wrong.

Whatever your earning capability is you can always learn and it is always useful to get fresh eyes to look at your business. I do not claim to have made a success of my business. There is much to do and I want help with that.

My aspirations may be higher than the respondents, maybe not but only a fool would turn down free advice!!!!

Rob

Rob

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

rob i love helping stokies out
i used to live in bucknall 

[Rob_Mac]

Gav

I have a couple of local window cleaning houses down on Newhouse Rd. Its the bottom of my Werrington, Ash Bank run!

I wont hold it against you!!

Rob

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

my parents live on corneville do their windys free
as iv secureded u l5 

[Rob_Mac]

Bloody hell - I can tell your a Stokey!!!!Give us the address i'll price it up and they'll be happy to hand over their money for a job well done

Rob

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

rob its a free mans m8 num 45 carol n len
say gav sent ya take no dollar m8
got u a cheap l5

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

n if u do ma mums free iv give u my sister
2 brothers 2 nieces

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

n a old lot more
my name is the key to
unlocking loadas coin them ways 

[Rob_Mac]

Gav

I will speak to you about this just inside the New Year. Many thanks

Rob

[ronnie paton]

i have also looked into this the criteria i was told was 5 employees then you get 1k funding and you need to invest £500 your self.

Im still quesioning if to do it or not but like rob said be under no impresion that just because you have a run a window cleaning business for a number of years you cant learn nothing........your always learning when running a business.

Ewan- im not a milion miles away fro the turnover suggested but i have lots to learn and i still make many mistakes.

i think its a great idea but just need to find the time.

[clearlyclean]

business link and job centre put me through to Blue Orchid a start up version of business link and give you ideas about running a business I found some their information useful but I think the Government has reduced their budget and I think their based mainly in the North west