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Both Pat Smith, Chief Executive and Steve Clarke, Partnership
Director of Business Link in the East of England, will also be
present for discussions with Stewart Jackson on the day.
Stewart Jackson has selected the
award winning running store for praise because of its track record
in using the services of the government funded Business Link, which
provides practical advice for growing businesses. Founder of Advance
Performance, Samantha Hale, originally started the independent
running store from a back bedroom in 1996. Samantha now has 10
employees and two purpose-designed running stores in Cambridgeshire.
Samantha Hale explains, “In 2005 we
saw the need to manage our reputation and image to increase our
visibility in the market. Business Link has helped us from the
beginning, over 12 years ago. In 2005 and 2006 we were able to take
advice on re-branding, marketing communications, media training and
public relations (PR). Business Link advised on reputable PR
consultants to support the company’s marketing aims, which resulted
in us successfully outsourcing our PR to Katrina Morphet of KAM
Marketing Associates. Through the team of Business Link Advisors, we
also gained access to a valued IT system which enables us to look at
cash flows, forecasts and projections.”
Business Link Adviser Brian Leeming,
comments, “Advance Performance is an excellent example of Business
Link contributing significantly to the successful growth of a
business. The profile of Advance Performance has been heightened
over a sustained period of time, giving rise to a number of benefits
such as improved customer communications, an increase in the
workforce employed and a host of business awards for the company. I
would recommend all local businesses to contact Business Link to use
the support available.”
Samantha Hale agrees with this
recommendation, adding, “We have a great resource available in
Business Link here so use it! It’s so useful to have an external
view on the challenges you face in business and to have pointers on
how to overcome them.”
May 2008 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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