1. Business Link Sarah Armstrong Business Advisor – Commercial Creative

3. About Business Link Customers develop business ideas, start businesses and grow their companies Specialist support and a knowledge of your sector Assist business start-ups Work with people looking to develop new business ideas Improve skills with customers Source suppliers to help long term business development

4. Customer contacts Business Link on: 0845 600 9 006 or www.businesslink.gov. uk/northeast Customer contacts Business Link on: 0845 600 9 006 or www.businesslink.gov. uk/northeast Business Adviser proactively monitors progress. Action plan developed based on initial analysis and introduction to appropriate solution Provision of information and material Business Link Workshop Appointment with Business Adviser which may result in an application to NEEIC Introduction to ‘specialist’ organisation Action plan developed based on initial analysis and introduction to appropriate solution Provision of information and material Business Link Workshop Appointment with Business Adviser which may result in an application to NEEIC Introduction to ‘specialist’ organisation Initial analysis carried out by Business Support Adviser Customer Services collect data and pass details onto Business Support Adviser Business Link Customer Journey

5. Business Link can help with: TrainingFinance SalesMarketing ITLaw &Legislation E-CommercePremises Innovation…and much more

6. Scope of potential support opportunities Business Link gateway into Business & Enterprise North East, North East England Investment Centre (NEEIC) Solutions for Business products Match product opportunity to maximise customer benefit Range through; Skills, Innovation Vouchers, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Collaborative Innovation Partnerships – and many more Delivery though, and via collaboration with, Knowledge Based Institutes

7. Engaging with the Creative Sector Business Adviser – Commercial Creative role overview Formal Working partnerships & MOU’s Involvement with sector related networks

8. Example of best Practice Arts Council & Business Links joint RFO digital research project Projects Planning Writing a brief & sourcing suppliers Securing funding Quarterly meetings to share best practice External evaluation

9. Series of Business & Enterprise workshops with North East Universities Promote awareness and gain understanding of BL services Explore the Solutions for Business range of products and how Universities can work play their part Promote future collaboration and enhanced relationships

10. Event Dates Teesside - 26th Feb Newcastle - 2nd March Durham - 11th March Northumbria 31st March Sunderland – tbc

11. Accessing the Business Link Service Tel: 0845 600 9 006 Web:www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast