Support and guidance

When you're running your own businesses you can sometimes feel as though you're on your own. If you're a one man band you may look after sales, marketing, administration as well as providing the service or making the products. Who can you turn to for support and guidance?

Mentoring

Maybe your business could benefit from a mentor - someone who has experience and expertise and can share their wisdom with you on an ongoing basis.

Businesses can find help through a new online portal, www.mentorsme.co.uk set up by HSBC and the UK's other four largest high street banks, This brings together leading mentoring organisations and allows companies to search for and locate their local group. It also includes a section to recruit would be mentors and a range of helpful resources.

The scheme offers support on a range of issues faced by businesses, from finance to marketing to HR. Start ups, established companies or those looking for a sounding board will receive support from networks of mentors, including current and retired bank staff that have volunteered and been trained as mentors.

Better Business Finance

HSBC also supports Better Business Finance, an initiative developed by the Business Finance Taskforce. The Better Business Finance website www.betterbusinessfinance.co.uk offers impartial information and support for business customers looking to raise finance. Resources available from Better Business Finance include a range of fact sheets providing information on a range of topics such as the lending appeals process, various sources of finance and loan pricing.

Online guidance

For tools, checklists and practical information to help you and your business, visit our Knowledge Centre. The site includes information on planning start-up financing, setting up financial systems, managing your finances and financing growth.

Useful links

The table below provides links to a range of organisations that may be able to help you with business support, guidance and financial advice.

Funding and funding advice

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants	Includes search tool for advisers offering specialised finance advice for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)	www.accaglobal.com
Better Business Finance	Impartial information and support for business customers looking to raise finance	http://www.betterbusinessfinance.co.uk
Community Development Finance Association	Association of institutions that lend money to help develop local communities	www.findingfinance.org.uk
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales	Directory of chartered accountants includes firms offering advice on SME finance	www.icaew.com
Prime	Supports over 50s to start their own business, offers loan scheme	www.primebusinessclub.com
The Prince's Trust	Enterprise Programme for 18-30 year olds starting their own business, including grants and loans	www.princes-trust.org.uk
Mentorsme	This brings together leading mentoring organisations and allows companies to search for and locate their local group.	www.mentorsme.co.uk

Finance associations

Asset Based Finance Association	Factoring, invoice discounting and asset based finance	www.abfa.org.uk
British Bankers Association	Banks and financial services providers	www.bba.org.uk
British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association	Venture capital and private equity	www.fla.org.uk
The Finance and Leasing Association	Asset, consumer and motor finance	www.bba.org.uk
Institute of Credit Management	Best practice in credit management and managing cash flow	www.creditmanagement.org.uk
Lending Standards Board	Responsible for the Lending Code, good practice for lending to smaller businesses	www.lendingstandardsboard.org.uk

Business support organisations

Business Gateway	Government business support site for businesses in Scotland, including support directory	www.bgateway.com
Business Link	Government business support site, including business support directory	www.businesslink.gov.uk
Business.wales.gov.uk	Government business support site for businesses in Wales, including support directory	www.business.wales.gov.uk
Invest NI	Northern Ireland economic development agency offering business support and targeted financial assistance	www.investni.com
nibusinessinfo.co.uk	Government business support site for businesses in Northern Ireland, including support directory	www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk
National Federation of Enterprise Agencies	Enterprise support, training and mentoring for new and emerging businesses	www.nfea.com
Scottish Enterprise	Supporting economic growth in Scotland, including various grant and funding options	www.scottish-enterprise.com

Business associations

British Chambers of Commerce	Networking and support through local Chambers of Commerce and Chamber Finance Hotline	www.britishchambers.org.uk
Federation of Small Businesses	Campaigning group for self-employed and small business owners. Membership benefits include finance for business scheme	www.fsb.org.uk
Forum of Private Business	Small business support, advice and information including finance and funding advice	www.fpb.org
Institute of Directors	Membership organisation for business leaders. Support services include free advice on financing through the Directors’ Advisory Service	www.iod.com
TA Forum	Directory can identify trade associations offering support and guidance for your sector	www.taforum.org

Financial problems

Business Debtline	Independent charity supported by the banking industry offering free and confidential advice on dealing with business debt problems	www.bdl.org.uk
Insolvency Practitioners Association	Recognised professional body providing advice on how insolvency practitioners can help businesses in financial difficulties and directory of members	www.insolvency-practitioners.org.uk
The Insolvency Service	Information on personal bankruptcy and company insolvency from the government’s insolvency service	www.insolvency.gov.uk
R3 – Association of Business Recovery Professionals	Professional association providing guidance on dealing with financial crisis and directory of members	www.r3.org.uk

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i) Allow you to access other websites. Please read the linked websites' terms and conditions. HSBC Bank plc has no control over non-HSBC websites and is not liable for your use of them.
ii) Allow you to access another HSBC Group website. Please read the terms and conditions of the linked website, which may differ from the terms and conditions of HSBC Bank plc's website.