Small firms, such as those using serviced offices in Edinburgh, could benefit from a national mentoring scheme that is business-led, according to one expert.
John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said management of a small company can be difficult, which means bosses require advisers who have had their own experience of successfully running a similar-sized firm.
Mr Walker's comments follow a report by the FSB, which makes a number of recommendations aimed at giving small businesses the opportunity to grow and flourish.
One of these suggestions is to allow a mentor to step away from their role with the company if they wish to enter discussions involving potential investment into the firm.
According to the organisation, only five per cent of micro-firms are given access to the £10-12 billion approximately spent on support for government-funded business each year.
Last month, business minister Mark Prisk announced the coalition wants to work with small companies in order to increase monetary support to help them prosper and boost the economic recovery.
