Good practice
Narva Business Advisory Services Foundation (NBAS), Estonia Narva employs all communication channels to give advice to micro and small enterprises. Next to consultations it also offers seminars and training that deal with central aspects of management know-how and development of new business fields/financial sources. The organisation is funded by European sources. After an initial consultation, which is for free, NBAS generates income through consultations. Numerous tools are being employed, most of which were outcomes of research conducted by NBAS. Numbers of information leaflets are also coming from EU Commission, local municipalities, trade unions, and Estonian government. Updated information, recent research and findings are being highly valued in this information flow. New trends in legislation, either local or European, are being highlighted in numerous leaflets and bulletins generated by NBAS. “What do You need to know about EU”, .eu domains, CE Marking, a monthly issue of “Business News” and many other publications made by NBAS are being distributed among SMEs. Approximately 11000 different issues of NBAS publications are being disseminated annually. A self-evaluation sheet is also an essential tool in the analysis of SMEs. Two types of forms are being used (so-called Form A and Form B). This is a very useful instrument directed towards exposure of strengths and weaknesses company might have. Form A is general, as form B (BADS) is far more complex. Health check of the company partially developed as a result of information provided in these forms. Clients are encouraged to address their problems online via websites (www.nbas.ee, www.eic.nbas.ee, www.rus.aktiva.ee, www.estrucom.ee). The platforms are solely run by NBAS.