COUNTY DURHAM BUSINESS GUIDE
Start up and run a successful small business in County Durham.

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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)

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SYOB Home › County Durham › County Durham Business

COUNTY DURHAM BUSINESS

If you run a small business in County Durham or if you are thinking of starting up a new business in County Durham 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...

Darlington | Durham | Hartlepool | Stockton-on-Tees

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 County Durham, it makes sense to use an accountant, web designer or printer based in County Durham 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 County Durham pages, but we have also created an extensive library of small 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 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 COUNTY DURHAM BUSINESS WEBSITES

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

County Durham Education Business Partnership. Durham Education Business Partnership works with schools on a wide range of Work Related Learning activities which make a connection between what students are taught in school and the world of work. Our aim is to equip students with the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for adult and working life. All activities are essentially about linking schools and business.
http://www.durhamebp.org.uk | 01325 375 959

Derwentside Enterprise Agency. Derwentside Enterprise Agency is an independent, not for profit, organisation whose aim is to increase the economic prosperity of the Derwentside area by the encouragement of enterprise. Our aim is to support anyone starting a business, already in business or considering moving a business into Derwentside. Either directly, with services we can deliver in-house, or by sign-posting you to the most appropriate source of support for your particular needs.

http://www.dida.co.uk | 01207 580 011

Development Agency of Sedgefield Borough. Established in 1984 to help find employment for the people made redundant through the closure of Shildon Wagon Works, SASDA have a long and successful history in providing expert advice and support for those thinking of setting up in business and for established businesses seeking to expand or improve their performance. We provide a vital link to other business support networks and specialist consultant services, as well as taking an active role in promoting enterprise and training within the Community of Sedgefield Borough.
http://www.sasda.info | 01325 310 730

East Durham Business Service. We offer business support and advice to those wanting to start a business, seek marketing advice or develop their existing business in the East Durham area, we will work closely with you to achieve your business aims. For our step by step guide to setting up a business in East Durham.
http://www.edbs.co.uk | 0191 586 3366

Enterprise Agency for Wear Valley and Teesdale. Our business start-up process is a mix of training, practical assistance and where eligible, financial support aimed at helping you to plan, set up and run your own business. An initial appointment with an Business Advisor to discuss: Your business idea; The practical assistance available; Grants & financial incentives; Preparing a Business Plan; Cash Flow Forecast; A Pre-Start Training Course; Enterprise Essentials Workshops - business skills training.
http://www.theenterpriseagency.co.uk | 01833 696 600

Ignite. If you are passionate about creating sustainable communities in North East England then IGNITE will support you to achieve the best. IGNITE is the Regional Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Communities and works with key partners in the region to expand skills and knowledge and raise standards of practice in core sustainable communities occupations.
http://www.ignite-ne.com | See website for full details.

Learning and Skills Council - North East 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 4181

North East Chamber of Commerce. Aykley Heads, Durham, DH1 5TS

http://www.necc.co.uk | 0300 303 6322

Northern Pinetree Trust. What Northern Pinetree Trust can do for you
A free provision to people with a long term illness or disability or from a disadvantage community
http://www.northernpinetreetrust.co.uk | 0191 492 8215

Tees Valley Regeneration. Attracted by locations which cannot be beaten for value and choice in the UK, a growing number of businesses are improving their competitive edge by moving to the Tees Valley. Market analysis on prime office space shows savings afforded by the Tees Valley vary from 10% (compared with Liverpool) to 104% (compared with Edinburgh) to 404% (compared with Greater London).
http://teesvalleyregeneration.co.uk | 01642 632 000

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

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