With the new financial year under way and spring finally upon us, what better time to give everything a thorough clean and a polish – and not just at home. All businesses need to keep up to date with trends and technology, ensure they refresh old procedures accordingly and have a strong and relevant business plan in order to attract customers and increase sales; and sometimes that means stepping back and taking a fresh look at how the business operates.

Planning ahead is essential for surviving, competing and winning, and the latest survey from Business Link in the East of England reveals planning trends across Hertfordshire-based businesses.

According to the survey, annual business planning has not been a key focus for 70 per cent of Hertfordshire businesses and only half of respondents adapt their business plan each year. Despite this and more reassuringly, nearly 8 out of ten respondents agree that planning has become more critical this year in order to both survive and thrive in what have become increasingly difficult markets. A wise 65 per cent of those who completed the survey have identified the need to consider potential issues and crises in this year’s business plan – something they have not done previously.

It is encouraging to see that sixty per cent of Herts-based businesses are taking all areas of the business into consideration when planning and all are seeking advice, where necessary. In Hertfordshire, the primary sources of advice on business planning are colleagues, online and advisers from Business Link and other organisations.

However, it has been recognised that businesses are paying out for advice unnecessarily. According to a recent report in a national daily newspaper, small businesses are frequently paying for business advice when they could be getting it for free! Minister for Employment Relations Pat McFadden said, “In a downturn every penny counts and we don’t want small businesses spending on advice the Government provides free.” He urged small businesses to “familiarise themselves with the Business Link online resources”.

“It’s important for businesses to identify areas for improvement and development. Even when you are very busy running a business day-to-day, you do need to look ahead, and this is where an impartial assessment by someone outside the business can be very helpful,” said Pat Smith, Chief Executive of Business Link in the East of England.

He continues, “At a time when everybody is watching their outgoings, businesses across the region should be taking advantage of the free advice and comprehensive support services from Business Link. Money saved through not paying for help could then be put to use elsewhere.”

Top tips for ‘spring cleaning’ your business plan:

 Out with the old - Businesses need to revisit their business plans regularly to check whether their offering still meets the needs of the marketplace.

 Brush up - Most businesses will be required to comply with some form of legislation, so it’s worth keeping up-to-date with changes.

 De-clutter - Many businesses could save time and money by making processes leaner and more effective.

 Clean and polish - For any business to continue to offer a high quality service, it is essential to know how customers perceive it – and act on any feedback received.

For more information about Business Link services that could help to keep your business running smoothly, or to speak to an Adviser, call 08457 17 16 15 or log on to: www.businesslink.gov.uk/east.

About Business Link East: • Business Link East (BLE) provides information, practical advice and support to help people to start, run or grow their business • Our clients fall in to two main categories: - Those running or working in established small and medium sized businesses - Those who want to start their own business • Both client groups can access independent, impartial and, in most instances, free help and support from BLE in the form of: - Free one-to-one help from an experienced business adviser (established businesses) or enterprise champion (start-up) - Workshops and briefings on a range of business subjects such as business planning, sales and marketing, legislation, developing people - Telephone and online support through our Information and intelligence centre • Business Link East works with businesses and entrepreneurs in the 6 counties in the East of England: Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire • Business Link is a government initiative to promote enterprise, funded in the East of England by the East of England Development Agency