Supporters or Competitors?

Most small organisations involved in providing business development services, including training, will have expressed frustration over the fact that many of the business support organisations are their strongest competitors - this certainly applies to the Chambers of Commerce and Enterprise Trusts, who step out of their principal role to simply to generate revenue beyond membership fees or central funds.

Now I see that the organisation Learn Direct Scotland has stepped out of its role providing support to individuals and a centralised register of training providers, to establish Learn Direct for Business. The sales force use the phrase "I have been appointed your training adviser" making it sound very official.

Guess what, they are providing the same training services as hundreds of small training providers, but the strength of their purchasing power means that they can undercut the market.

Aren't the support organisations which receive tax payers money or membership fees supposed to stimulate the economy by helping small businesses to grow?