Big business steps up to help those in need

Last week was an exercise in spotting the big businesses that are true champions of enterprise and small business.

Working with the Department for Business, we made rapid calls to the companies who could assist small businesses affected by floods get back to business.

They moved like start-ups and responded within hours to confirm pledges, including:

• Vodafone donating 1,000 dongles to businesses that have lost broadband and thanks to Royal Mail for agreeing to deliver.

• Toshiba is donating a number of laptops and light bulbs to UK storm victims

• Regus opening its 220 centres across the UK to offer free workspace until 21st February to business owners that need a space in which to meet clients and keep operating.

• Citrix is offering free 3 months access to its GoTo Meeting product so if you can't physically reach customers (or they reach you), you can at least communicate via the web.

• Call-answering service, Moneypenny, is offering a free call pick-up service so you can focus on getting back into business, safe in the knowledge your calls are being answered.

• Constant Contact is offering one free month access to its email service to enable you to keep in contact with customers throughout.

• EDF Energy asks affected customers to make contact so they can make adjustments to usual payment terms and offer flexibility to those who need time to pay.

A massive thank you to the brands who responded so fast and have pledged the practical tools that flood affected businesses so desperately need.

This coincides with an announcement from the Prime Minister on a new £10 million business support package which includes helpline numbers, extra time to file accounts, and a new business support scheme to provide hardship funding.

If you're a big business executive, please consider how you can help. Your pledge will be uploaded to the dedicated floods section on The Business Exchange. You can submit your pledge via the site too.

If you're a small business wondering how to play a part, please donate to the Small Business Storm Relief Fund . Your small business peers will be grateful.

Emma Jones (@emmaljones) is founder of Enterprise Nation

Photo Credit: dachalan via Compfight cc