Knowing me, knowing you

One of my most read books on the shelf is ‘More Human’ by Steve Hilton. Written a decade ago and after Steve had served as Prime Minister David Cameron’s policy adviser, the book sets out the thesis that the more you know the constituents you serve, the better you serve them. It called for policies and programmes to be centred around the people for whom they were intended. It’s a philosophy I’ve long believed in ie that policy should be designed with small businesses, for small business.

This is why it’s good to see several layers of engagement running across government right now, including:

Single log-in – The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is working to improve government’s online offering and experience for businesses with the aim to provide more personalised and proactive support. The mission is ‘to save businesses time and money by delivering more tailored information, access to services and support to grow.’ The team leading this wants to hear direct from businesses and is holding virtual focus groups to which you are invited. The design team wants to hear:

• Your experience of using government online services where log in is required such as those hosted by HMRC, Companies House, and any other government department
• How some of their early stage concepts might work for you in practice.

The  focus groups will last approximately 90 minutes and are taking place on:

·        September 23rd, at either 13:00 – 14:30 or 17:30 – 19:00.

·        September 24th, at either 13:00 – 14:30 or 17:30 – 19:00.

If you are interested in attending, complete this form before Wednesday 10th September. If too many businesses volunteer for these initial sessions (which would be great!) the team would look to host others soon and will keep you updated.

• Business Board – the business view and voice is represented at board level within the Department for Business and Trade with representatives including Paul Drechsler CBE https://www.gov.uk/government/people/paul-drechsler and Dr Roni Savage who have deep experience in running small and family owned businesses
• Entrepreneurs across government – as recently posted by Jimmy McLoughlin, there are a growing number of entrepreneurs in role including James Timpson as Minister for Pensions, Tom Adelooya leading Innovate UK, Alex Depledge at HM Treasury and, more recently Greg Jackson. It would be good to see many more! You can find public appointments here.
• DBT Festival – yesterday an internal and online event was hosted which included a panel of businesses talking about their world before thousands of civil servants who are working each day to deliver on trade strategies and the recently released Small Business Plan
• Number 10 small business sessions – we are working with the Prime Minister’s business advisory and partnerships team on sessions where small businesses have been invited to walk through the famous black door and asked their view on different policy areas. The first session is set and focused on digital adoption.

There is more to be done. One idea that has been mooted and I, for sure, would love to see it realised is for civil servants to do work experience in small firms. This would offer a coal-face look at the lived experience of running a business; the sacrifices made, hours committed, daily decisions being taken. What do you think? Would your business take part?

And if you are in a central government department and keen to engage with small firms to ensure your policy and programmes are fit for purpose, please make contact as at the Office of the Small Business Commissioner, we are happy to help.