Business Links improves service

Business Links’ design advisory service showed a marked improvement in 1997, according to managers of small- to medium-sized businesses, 17 per cent of whom claim they increased sales as a result of the Links’ advice.

In 1996 this figure was 8 per cent, according to a new report by the Design Council which is due to be released next week.

The Design in Business Links 1997-98 survey polled 100 SMEs and 35 chief executives on the quality of the advice given by Business Links design advisers. It revealed that 89 per cent of service users had or will implement the advice they were given, compared to 67 per cent in 1996.

It also showed that 79 per cent were “very or fairly” satisfied with their design advice in 1997, compared to 70 per cent in 1996.

The 89 Business Links around the UK have 67 design councillors.

See News Analysis, page 10