Thousands of expert professional and business services advisers have signed up to offer free online advice to help small businesses bounce back from coronavirus.
The Recovery Advice for Business scheme will give small and medium-sized businesses access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery.
The platform is now live and Enterprise Nation is providing free access until 31 December 2020.
Each adviser has offered at least one hour of free advice a month until the end of 2020, which could deliver a lifeline to thousands of SMEs.
Advice will focus on the following key areas:
- accounting and finance
- people and building a team
- planning, strategy and pivoting
- marketing, PR and social media
- Technology and digital tools
Business experts, supported by the UK’s major professional and trade bodies, have rallied behind the government-backed initiative, with thousands of expert advisers already on hand and ready to do their bit to help small businesses recover and rebuild.
Emma Jones, founder of small business support network Enterprise Nation, said:
‘We’ve been overwhelmed and astonished by the generosity of the adviser community, thousands of whom have stepped forward to give their time and knowledge to revive, guide and support the nation’s small businesses through the pandemic to regain the momentum and restore the economic confidence with which we started the year.’
Participating businesses will be directed to the scheme on the Enterprise Nation platform via the GOV.UK website and other business support channels.
Businesses will be asked questions on the ‘Make a Plan’ diagnostic tool. This will allow Enterprise Nation to assess and identify both the level and specific areas of support needed.
Each business will have a personalised dashboard where they will receive a detailed action plan. This includes links to suggested tailored advice and relevant professional advisers.
To register as an adviser or as a business seeking support, click here.
