The aim of Small Business Week 2009 (19th-23rd October) is to better understand the small business community, provoke discussion around its changing needs, and develop ways to equip SMEs for long-term success. Business Link in the East of England is proud to be an official supporter of the campaign.

Small Business Week 2009, in association with BT Business will launch at a high profile event at the BT Tower in London on Monday 19th October. During the week, government, business and independent organisations will come together to drive commercial, industry and government support for the UK's 4.7 million-plus smaller enterprises.

The overarching theme of the week is “equipped to succeed” and SMEs in Hertfordshire can be just that by attending a whole host of FREE Business Link and partner events taking place during the week:

-Lloyds – how to pitch for finance – Welwyn Garden City – 20th October

-Planning and developing a website – Watford – 22nd October

-HSE – health and safety for small businesses – Hemel Hempstead – 23rd October

Results of the largest ever small business survey, Business Pulse, will also be revealed at Small Business Week 2009. The survey kicked off on 25th August and has measured the current health, drivers and inhibitors to successful business in the UK.

John Dunsmure, managing director of British Chambers of Commerce, commented: “Small Business Week continues to provide an essential platform to push the small business agenda in the UK and help British businesses compete, prosper and grow by covering the real issues facing small businesses in the current climate”.

Pat Smith, chief executive of Business Link in the East of England, said: “Business Link is an official supporter of Small Business Week 2009 because as an organisation dedicated to helping small businesses to start and grow, we understand the challenges that SMEs face and are committed to providing the support, resources and guidance needed to help those in the East of England be successful.

“By joining forces with BT Business and the other partner organisations, we are collectively demonstrating to the SME community that they have a committed support network and access to numerous resources – essential as we move onwards towards a more buoyant economy.”

Visit www.bookevents.org to register for a place on Business Link events taking place during Small Business Week 2009. Visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/east for guidance on an array of business issues and practices or call and speak to an adviser on 08457 17 16 15.

-Small Business Week website – www.sbw09.co.uk

-Small Business Week is supported by British Chambers of Commerce, Business Link, ACCA, NatWest, Growing Business, everywoman, The Design Council, LSC, Prince’s Trust, and Fresh Business Thinking).

About Business Link in the East of England:

Business Link provides information, practical advice and support to help people to start, run or grow their businesses

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 Business Link in the form of:

-Free one-to-one help from an experienced Business Advisor (established businesses) or Enterprise Awareness Manager (start-ups)

-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 Regional Information and Intelligence centre

Business Link in the East of England works with businesses and entrepreneurs in the 6 counties in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk

Business Link is a government initiative to promote enterprise, funded in the East of England by the East of England Development Agency