Big Help for Small Business, a handy guide to the services available for Victorians to run and grow their businesses, was launched today by Small Business Minister Joe Helper.
Mr Helper said the Brumby Labor Government’s new small business guide would assist the estimated 240 new businesses that were starting up in Victoria every week.
“Successful businesses are informed businesses, so we are making sure that owners and operators have accurate information to make the best decisions,” Mr Helper said.
“Big Help for Small Business brings together all the information and resources needed by businesses in one easy-to-use guide.
“In addition to offering information about Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars, the guide also helps Victorians get the most out of Business Victoria Online, which we already know saves businesses time and money.”
Mr Helper said small and medium businesses continued to play a crucial role in Victoria’s economy, accounting for more than 96 per cent of all Victorian businesses, nearly half of the private sector workforce, and employing nearly one million people.
“Given the big start small businesses have had to 2010, the launch of the guide is timely, as it offers information that better prepares them to take advantage of the upturn in economic conditions,” he said.
“Big Help for Small Business is also being distributed largely to regional and rural Victorians and is designed to direct them to the services available through Small Business Victoria.”
The Brumby Labor Government’s Big Help for Small Business guide covers starting or buying a business, finding the right licences, managing and growing a business, financial management, employing and managing people, managing risk, and networking and support.
“Whether looking to register a business name, employ people for the first time or learn how to take a business to the next level, the new Big Help for Small Business guide will show people where to go for assistance.”
The guide is available by calling the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 or by visiting any Victorian Business Centre in metropolitan and regional Victoria.