Businesses in Devon can benefit from government-funded courses being offered by Exeter College in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses to help them beat the credit crunch.

The Exeter Business School and the Exeter FSB have been working together over the past 18 months to set up bite-size training for small businesses at times convenient to them.

The short courses on strategic thinking, planning, marketing and sales will be run over three evenings next January and February at the Exeter Business School, which is part of Exeter College.

The groundbreaking scheme was launched at the Exeter FSB Small Business Awards earlier this year are and is aimed specifically at business managers and owners of small enterprises.

Very small businesses and those with under 250 employees may be eligible for funding to pay for the courses from the government support and advice service, Business Link.

Michelle Snowball, Head of Employer Engagement at Exeter College, said: “For small businesses to give up time for training it needs to be dynamic, inspirational and offer practical ideas which can be implemented straight away and have an immediate impact. These seminars are designed to help small businesses in Exeter and Devon think more strategically during the economic downturn.”

Nigel Hillier, Chair of the Exeter FSB said: “It is always difficult for owners of small businesses to find the time or money to attend training. I am delighted that working with the Exeter Business School we are able to offer what is clearly designed to be a short, relevant and focussed training opportunity which will be of value to all of us who are running a small business in the current difficult financial climate. Thinking strategically and looking at business planning and fresh marketing is often difficult when coping with the day to day work of just running the business. I hope that small business owners, like me, taking a few hours out to look at what we are doing in a more strategic way will provide a very valuable us of our time.”

To book a place or to find out more, ring the Exeter Business School on 01392 205958 or contact Nigel Hillier on 01392 669497.