Starting a business is not to be considered lightly.
There is risk of course.
Managing the risk is a key element in success and
comes in some part from being able to more clearly
define the likelihood of success and identifying
and putting in place the vital resources that are
needed to move the business forward.
For many, they feel quite competent to do this
on their own. Others benefit from the support of
a network of people and organisations around them
to some degree or other.
However, there is substantive evidence to suggest
that those people who start a business with the
support of external advisors and skills training
have a more than 20% better chance of being able
to grow the business and most importantly get the
business to survive for longer
A brief overview of the type of support that you
may be able to find on the end of a phone line in
your area. Written by Clare Seek of Portsmouth City
Council.
An interesting personal view of how to go about
starting your own business. Kindly supplied by Alan
Atterbury, Managing Director of Cross Media Publishing.
Does being an entrepreneur mean not being able
to have a work life balance?
TIPS - BUSINESS ADVICE
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.
Work out how much money you need to live on before you start! Essential Business. (31-08-10)
Get yourself a Mentor
The reason being is that a Mentor has 'muddy boots' meaning that they've probably already made half the mistakes - so you don't have to! Resolution Coaching. (24-08-10)
Know your competition.
Check out your local, national and even global competitors online. You will pick up a huge amount of ideas of and tips on how to promote your service better. Business Uplift. (12-08-10)
Small Business Websites
Developing a good website takes a little time and does not come cheap. Make sure you hire a good company to build it and do the creative work, plan it carefully and don't forget that after it's live you'll have monthly web-hosting costs to pay. Bishopsgate Business Advisory. (25-07-10)
Profit
Think carefully about Profit margins, not price and not costs but work out the profit margin on every product and service you offer - make sure you are happy with that margin and everything else will be a lot easier. Lancaster Business Consultant. (13-07-10)
Talk in terms of what your client wants...
So many start-ups talk about themselves and how great they are, especially in their marketing. The key... Is to see the business from your client's point of view: don't talk about you what can do, but what you can do for them! Your message should talk about results and outcomes -- essentially how you can solve their problems. Andrew Ludlam. (11-07-10)
Business planning
Don't get hung up on your business plan when starting up. Key factors are: - product - quality and price - market - size and accessibility - promotion - the marketing message and how and where you get it across Simon Paul. (03-07-10)
Lonely at the Top!
Stradling Training & Consultancy understand the loneliness that can be felt by business owner managers which is why we recommend mentoring support to help reduce loneliness and to significantly sustain improvement in all areas of a business along with an ability to view problems as a challenge, not a threat Stradling Training & Consultancy. (22-06-10)
Dont be tempted to try to market to all
Attacking focused market segments with strong associated propositions is likely to be more effective and give you a greater return on investment. Make sure you know your most effective markets. Mr D Souster. (17-06-10)
Marketing
You must concentrate on marketing as without marketing your product or service your business will have difficulty in succeeding MentorsDen CIC. (10-06-10)
You only have one life, so make the most of it!
Do your home work with regards to your business idea, once you have all the info and your business idea is still looking good. Then commit to it and make your sole focus. Trust me it is worth the effort. Coaching Four Success. (08-06-10)
FREE Internet Marketing Training Course
Web Worx Training are running a series of free events throughout the summer for start-ups and small business owners. Our training course; How To Promote Your Business On The Internet will run on Wednesday 9th June, Friday 9th July and Monday 9th August 2010 to help small businesses get started in internet marketing. The three hour presentation at our offices in Albrighton, offers an introduction to various aspects of internet marketing such as Search Engine Optimisation and Social Media Marketing. Web Worx Training. (27-05-10)
Promoting your business.
Consider where to invest in promotion of your business. Will it be the right audience? Are you a business to consumer or business to business operation, or both. The answer will affect how you need to reach you customers. Abide Consulting Ltd - Business Continuity. (17-05-10)
Network is Net worth! Don't try to do it alone
Grow your Business Today. Free Mini-Review. Simply go to http://whatissolamen.blogspot.com Have a look around and remember to enter your Name & Email in the box provided Solamen. (06-05-10)
Focus on revenue producing activity!
Don't spend time on non-essential, busy activities just to feel that you're doing something. Focus on getting in front of potential customers with your best products/services and be willing to ask for business! Life Coach 1. (16-04-10)
Write 'it' down!
'It' means everything about your business. It is amazing how powerful it is to 'see' what you are thinking. It forces you to question your logic and often it simply highlights any flaws in your ideas. CMC Partnership. (31-03-10)
You can make your own power decisions today
With the introduction of power generation to the businesses and house owners we can now secure greater independence from the large energy utilities. We are also making a better environment and money in the process Stephen Lauri (20-03-10)
Have a message on your business card
This is an affordable little marketing idea which has worked extremely well for many clients and businesses that want to squeeze every ounce of marketing opportunity out of whatever they do.
The idea is simple and straight forward and may work really well for you.
Here's what you do:
Firstly, brainstorm some ideas to find something your clients might want, this could be an industry report, offers, special coupons, electronic product etc.
Secondly, make it available for download from your website and if you want to capture the details of anyone downloading the product make sure they have to complete a form first.
Then finally add a message to all your stationery. Let's use an example of an estate agent who has compiled a report 'the 10 things you must do before buying a house'.
They could create a message like:
Get your unmissable copy of the 10 things you must do before buying a house
by Logging on to www./10things.html
The estate agent would then add this message to letterheads, with compliment slips, invoices and even email signatures.
NB: if your letterheads etc are pre-printed just add the message as a footer in your document via your word processor or whatever software you use. Then every time you correspond with people, you are also sending out a little sales message that could capture you more clients. Eventus Coaching. (16-03-10)
"The Health and Safety At Work Act applies to everybody....even those who work from home. Once you have five employees your policies and risk assessments HAVE to be written down and communicated to your employees" Most people put into place their marketing, vehicles or uniforms for example into place when they start a business and don't even think about health & safety until something goes wrong! Award Health & Safety. (04-03-10)
Back yourself and give it a go.
Enjoy the experiences - good and bad - as best you can. Talk to as many people as possible from all backgrounds, you never know where a good lead or some helpful advice may come from. Be realistic, patient, and flexible in your approach especially at the start when you can not always be sure where and how work will come from. Joshua Bingley. (19-02-10)
BE STUBBORN!
Stubbornness and determination are characteristics of all successful business people I know. They don't take no for an answer. They are highly focused on their goals. They stick to their plan and wear their uncooperative adversaries down. They have a 'I can do it' attitude even when everyone around them says it can't be done. They find a way when no one else can see it. They don't give up. They are so confident in their beliefs that they don't even entertain the thought of allowing someone or something to stop them from achieving their goals. David Mattocks. (17-02-10)
Start Up Tips
1) Talk to more than one bank and see what terms they all offer. We ended up talking to two banks and managed to shave 70 pounds per month off our loan repayments. 2) Advertise carefully. 3) However much you think it will cost to set up your business - add 50%! David Back. (17-02-10)
How To Make It Happen!
Invest time in compiling a good business plan.Use one of the many great templates available as a starting point.Plan your work and then work your plan. Ken Marshall. (17-02-10)
