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The latest enterprise newsNew help for firms to win public contractsA free online public procurement course designed to help smaller firms bid for the £220 billion of public sector contracts awarded each year has been launched.The course, Winning the Contract, shows participants how to identify business opportunities to supply goods and services to the public sector, explains the public procurement process, and demonstrates how to submit tenders. Businesses can register to access the Winning the Contract by visiting learndirect on the Business Link website at www.businesslink.gov.uk/procurement. Enterprise policy frameworkAny new government will face major economic challenges and difficult decisions over the coming years. The UK economy has suffered a savage recession and the situation remains uncertain although business sentiment, a key factor, appears to be improving. The most challenging task for the next government will be to lay out a sustainable, clear and robust path back to fiscal health. Attracting and cultivating enterprise is also vital. Read our Enterprise Policy Framework paper here. Contact: dan.morgan@cbi.org.ukEmissions toolkit for SMEs launchedWe will publish a web-based toolkit to help smaller companies without dedicated resource or expertise to measure and manage their carbon footprint.Taking users through a simple process of measuring, managing and reducing emissions, the toolkit will provide an easy to use and practical guide for any company looking to cut carbon. The toolkit will be available at www.cbi.org.uk/climatechange or for further information email william.brocklehurst@cbi.org.uk Free service gives access to details ofgovernment contractsFollowing the publication last November of a major government report into the particular barriers faced by small businesses looking to work with the public sector, there will be a new free search service on supply2.gov.uk from 7 August.
This will enable businesses to access details of contracts right across the UK without having to pay, bringing a greater level of transparency to the public procurement market which means you can now register on the supply2.gov.uk web portal and search for UK wide opportunities absolutely free of charge. Real help for businesses nowThe government has launched a public information campaign, Real Help for Businesses Now. Following the launch on 14 January of the government's SME finance package, Real Help for Businesses Now centrally gathers information about accessing government help available to businesses during the recession. The public information campaign directs businesses to contact a Business Link adviser on 0845 600 9006 or to visit the website.Manage your cashflowA series of guides designed to help businesses manage cashflow during these difficult economic times has just been published by the Institute of Credit Management in partnership with BERR and supported by the CBI.The guides are designed to help business in a number of areas essential for effective cashflow management. The guides cover areas such as: knowing your customer, payment terms, what to do when cash runs short, credit insurance, invoicing and factoring and financing options.They are designed to provide straightforward and speedy advice with simple checklists and top tips. The guides can be found here. Key issues in summaryFor the latest CBI thinking on enterprise issues, see our business summaries. |
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