BUSINESSES across the county are missing out on profits by ignoring strategic advice, a new study has revealed. The Advice Dividend, a report commissioned nationally by Business Link, shows companies employing up to 250 staff which seek and use business advice typically make double the profits of those that don't.

But a total of 60 per cent of companies in the South East decide to shun experts. Businesses which acted on strategic advice typically made gross profits of £216,000 over the last 12 months. But similar firms which didn't take advice reported profits of only £109,000 over the same period.

Claire Smith, chief executive of Business Link Kent, said: "In our experience, the picture in Kent very much mirrors that at a national level -- companies using advice report a clear and substantial profit payback from doing so.

"Unfortunately, in Kent and throughout the South East, the majority of companies are not consulting the experts. That means they are missing out on potential benefits. This has obvious implications for their individual prospects and the wider county, regional and UK economies."