SMALL professional firms are being offered a £10,000 boost to get "emotionally intelligent" about their people assets.

The Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University is offering free support to small companies within the financial and professional sector to help up-and-coming businesses recruit and retain the best staff.

The Centre is using £1.3 million in European funding to help employers improve their people skills. Businesses should call the Project Team at the university on 0161 247 6069 or visit www.business.mmu.ac.uk/centreforenterprise