With headlines earlier in the year like this: "Business Links to close by November as government unveils new support measures" it's no surprise that there has been a great deal of confusion about the future of Business Link. If you had read on in this particular story published on Business Zone you would have discovered that in actual fact: "Whilst the regional Business Link advisory service will close on the 25 November 2011, the Business Link website is being significantly enhanced and will provide improved, comprehensive support to businesses. New online services will be launched in November designed to help you start, grow and improve your business."

When I've spoken to people about Business Link, some said it was going completely, others that it was being streamlined and some didn't know anything about the changes at all. Somewhere along the line, then, the message has been lost, which is not good news for this large organisation. If they can't get the right message across, what hope is there for the rest of us?

As part of the government's review into how it delivers business improvement and support services a number of changes were announced earlier in the year. Although the Business Link website, the government's online resource for business, will remain and continue to provide businesses with access to information, support and government services, included in the changes was the closure of the regional Business Link advisory service in November 2011.

Much of the information on regionally branded Business Link websites has been moved to the national Business Link website, and improvements to this site have been implemented or planned. These include the Contracts Finder, which is available now, and an improved experience for those starting up in business.