BERKSHIRE BUSINESS GUIDE
Start up and run a successful small business in Berkshire.

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BUSINESS TIP OF THE DAY

Website names

Your website domain name (web address) does not have to be the same as your business name, but it should contain one of your major keywords, e.g. networking.
Authentic Networking.
(03-09-10)

Understand your costs

There's no point being in business unless you can make money from what you do, so understand all your costs and don't shy away from being honest about the value of your time. When you nail the costs of operating your business, you will gain a greater knowledge of the margins possible.

You don't have to re-invent the wheel, you just need to find the best way of buying and selling one to make a profit!
Ashbourne Colour Print.
(02-09-10)

How to find what IP your business owns

Every business will own some form of intellectual property. It could be the artistic design, shape, technology or brand of your product or process, but do you know how to protect and exploit these intellectual assets?

To find out more why not take a free IP HealthCheck at the following web page.

http://www.ipo.gov.uk/whyuse/business/iphealthcheck.htm

The Intellectual Property Office.
(02-09-10)

Don't rush in to committing to office space.

Office space is expensive and usually requires a long term commitment. If you have the resource, working from home keeps your overheads down and if you need a business address it's worth consideing a Virtual office which will project the right company image without the huge overheads.
voxclever.
(01-09-10)

Banks and Plan

Get a good financial plan / cashflow together and negotiate with your bank to get cheaper bank charges and an overdraft just in case you need it during the first difficult few months
Vince Lavin.
(01-09-10)

Would you like to supply a tip of the day? If so, we would be extremely grateful for your help and will be happy to include a live link to your website with every tip used.
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SYOB Home › Berkshire › Berkshire Business

BERKSHIRE BUSINESS

If you run a small business in Berkshire or if you are thinking of starting up a new business in Berkshire we hope that you will find this site both interesting and useful.

It has been designed to help you find local firms and business support organisations who will be happy to give you friendly advice as well as provide the services that you may need.

You can search countywide in this section or select your local area...

Local Firms

Although there are plenty of online business directories, it can sometimes be quite difficult to find LOCAL companies who are genuinely keen to support you. For example if you are based in Berkshire, it makes sense to use an accountant, web designer or printer based in Berkshire who is prepared to help small businesses or new business start ups.

Small Business Information

You will find LOCAL information and useful contacts in these Berkshire pages, but we have also created an extensive library of general business information to help give you the best chance of success. The answers to 100's of the most frequently asked start up questions can also be found, including..

Q. Starting A New Business - What are the key considerations before I start?

Q. Starting A New Business - Should I buy an existing business?

Q. Running A Small Business - Why is it important to have a business plan?

Q. Running A Small Business - What is marketing?

Q. Small Business Funding - How can I raise start up capital?

See the Start Your Own Business home page for a full list of subjects covered.

USEFUL BERKSHIRE BUSINESS WEBSITES

Berkshire Business Forum. Business forum but also contains a links directory. You can add your link to their directory free of charge if your business is based in Berkshire.
http://www.berkshirebusinessforum.co.uk | Visit website for more information.

Berkshire Business Net. Aims to provide an information resource specifically for local businesses. Information is provided about diverse local businesses. A visitor to one business information page will also presented with summary information introducing other local businesses.
http://www.berkshire-business.net | 0118 9 62 98 15

Business in Berkshire. Website aimed at Berkshire businesses. E-mail newsletter, business directory, local networking events and much more.
http://www.businessinberkshire.co.uk | 01753 852904

Business Link Business Link is a free business advice and support service, available online and through local advisers. Businesslink.gov.uk helps your business save time and money by giving you instant access to clear, simple, and trustworthy information. It is developed in partnership with subject experts within government and relevant business-support organisations to help you comply with regulations and improve your performance. Whether you're starting up, already running a business, or looking to grow and develop, Business Link can help you.
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk | 0845 600 9 006

Business Mag. The Business Magazine, an independent magazine for directors and senior business executives throughout the South. There are two editions: Thames Valley, and Solent/South Central. The magazine is a business-to-business publication used in a pro-active way by companies eager to find out what is happening in their locality and to follow up important sales, marketing and promotional leads that lie within its pages.
http://www.businessmag.co.uk | 0118 974 5330

Central Berkshire Education Business Partnership. Working with education and business, to help all young people acquire the skills and experience they will need for their own development and to enable them to play a full part in the life of the community.
http://www.cbebp.org.uk | 0118 933 8668

Federation of Small Business Thames Valley. The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 200,000 members across 33 regions. In addition, Member Services is committed to delivering a wide range of high quality, good value business services to members of the FSB.
http://www.fsb.org.uk | 0118 945 6848

iBerkshire. The Berkshire Business Directory. iBerkshire is a part of The iGroup, a leading local business directory dedicated to all things local. With over 1.2 million users each month we are able to connect local customers with local businesses.
http://www.iberkshire.co.uk | Add your business free.

Learning and Skills Council - Berkshire. The Learning and Skills Council exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to ensure we have a workforce of world-class standard.
http://www.lsc.gov.uk | 0845 019 4154

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
http://www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk | 01753 870 500

Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group works with businesses across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire to help them achieve their full business potential. We do this by offering members a range of services including business advice, networking events, training and international trade support.
http://www.thamesvalleychamber.co.uk | 01753 870 500

The Best of Berkshire. At thebestofBerkshire, every business that is featured on their Site has been visited and checked out and recommended by other local people, so you can use them with confidence knowing that they truly are one of the best at what they do.
http://www.thebestof.co.uk/regional/berkshire | See site for more details.

West Berkshire Education Business Partnership. The Education Business Partnership West Berkshire (EBP West Berks) is a local charity based at New Greenham Park, Newbury which promotes and organises a wide range of innovative work related learning activities for young people in education within West Berkshire.
http://www.ebpwb.co.uk | 01635 279 900

If you offer a product or service that can help new business start ups or existing small businesses in Berkshire, we would love to hear from you. (Free listing)

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