From today, the Ministry for the Economy is offering an on-line self-assessment tool for use by small- and medium-sized entreprised (SMEs) in the craft or commercial sector.
The electronic platform, which can be accessed at www.business-check.lu, identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the business concerned on the basis of data provided by the user, who is asked to fill out a qualitative questionnaire (self-assessment of certain topics on a scale of 1 to 5) and to respond to a quantitative request based on various accounting data.
By analysing these data as a whole, the tool evaluates the level of maturity of the business in terms of its strategy, organisation, customer management and financial performance. The platform then generates a report on the business as thus evaluated and proposes, where necessary and/or appropriate, ways of improving its performance.
As the manager of the tool, the Ministry for the Economy ensures the protection of the data, which can only be recorded on the personal computer of the user, whose identity remains anonymous. No checks are carried out to determine whether the data, and the answers given, are correct. The use of the instrument is free of charge. The platform is available in German, French and English.
Presenting business-check.lu on 14 July 2015, the Minister of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, stated: "For years now, we have been investing considerable means and resources in the promotion of entrepreneurship and support for people starting up businesses. With business-check.lu, we are broadening the range of measures available, so as to help and support entrepreneurs who are already established. By means of this platform, we are now able to offer existing SMEs free access to a self-assessment tool designed to measure their commercial maturity, with a view to adapting, where necessary, the way in which they are organised or their business plan. Depending on the circumstances, the instrument can also help to identify the first signs of possible insolvency or bankruptcy."
When an SME, after using the business-check.lu instrument, decides to seek advice from specialist external consultants with a view to improving the way it functions, it may apply for State aid aimed at encouraging investment designed to enhance quality. The aid is granted in the form of capital grants or interest rate subsidies, and amounts to up to 50% of the eligible investment made by an SME in seeking advice from external consultants, but can’t exceed €100,000 .
Photo by Ministry of the Economy (L-R: Constantin Jacques, Jong Handwierk ; Francine Closener, Secretary of State for the Economy)
