Take part in the business support professionals survey

The role of the business consultants and advisers has become increasingly important as Britain gears up to overcome the challenges posed by global competitiveness and technological change.

Despite its importance and its size – UKTI estimates that the total market for accountancy, legal and employment services in the UK is more than £23 billion – the business support professionals sector is very under-researched.

Last year, Barclays Bank sponsored the Small Enterprise Research Team (SERTeam), in conjunction with the Business Adviser Barometer team at Nottingham University, to conduct a national survey of the sector. 2,000 business advisers of various types responded – accountants (29%), business and management consultants (23%), members of the Institute of Business Consulting (21%), marketing and industrial consultants and (12%) and a number of other adviser bodies including enterprise agencies and business links.

The survey revealed that, generally, business advisers had performed well over the year (53% reported an increase in clients and 60% that their clients reported improved business performance). However, there was also evidence of communications problems with clients and with government.

The survey is being repeated this Spring, and again in Autumn, to examine the issues that concern business advisers and consultants. There will also be a focus on how the financial crisis and the impact of regulations have affected the performance of Britain’s business support professionals. The online survey questionnaire is open on the SERTeam website where CIMA members can register as business advisers and access the questionnaire.

May 2008

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