CANTERBURY BUSINESS GUIDE
Your local guide to setting up and running a successful business.

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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 › Canterbury › Canterbury Business

CANTERBURY BUSINESS

If you run a business in Canterbury or if you are thinking of setting up a new business in Canterbury 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.

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 Canterbury, it makes sense to use an accountant, web designer or printer based in Canterbury who is prepared to help small businesses or new business start ups.

Business Information

You will find LOCAL business information and useful contacts in these Canterbury business pages, but we have also created an extensive library of general business information to help give your business the best chance of success. The answers to 100's of the most frequently asked business 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 BUSINESS WEBSITES

Action with Communities in Rural Kent. Provide direct advice and support to community organisations. Stimulate community action, particularly voluntary action, and encourage good practice. Develop and manage demonstration projects. Provide professional support and advice to key service providers. Raise awareness of rural issues and influence decision makers.
http://www.ruralkent.org.uk | 01303 813 790

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

Federation of Small Business Kent and Medway 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. Regional office: Allington Library, Castle Road, Allington, Kent, ME16 0PU
http://www.fsb.org.uk | 01622 688134

In Kent Info In Kent Info - the website directory for the county of Kent. FREE listings for UK Community Websites or NON-profit websites.
http://www.inkent.info |

Kent Business Directory. A new online local business directory specifacally for Kent businesses.
http://www.kentbusinessdirectory.co.uk/ | 0800 9177 892

Kent Channel Chamber of Commerce. Shepway Business Centre, Shearway Business Park, Folkestone CT19 4RH. E-mail: info@channelchamber.org.uk
http://www.channelchamber.co.uk | 01303 270022

Kent EBP. EBP Kent provides individually designed services for schools, colleges and employers. The aims are to enrich the curriculum, actively engage employers in the development of their future workforce and equip young people with a better understanding of personal skills and their future choices.
http://www.ebpkent.co.uk | 01843 609 310

Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce- Ashford. Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce is the ultimate business network in Kent. Covering an area of Kent including Ashford, Canterbury, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells, the Chamber is perfectly positioned to promote enterprise in Kent.
http://www.kentinvictachamber.co.uk | 01233 503 838

Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership. The Kent Thameside Regeneration Partnership brings together public sector agencies and private sector bodies to provide a strategic framework for regeneration.
http://www.kent-thameside.co.uk | 01474 338 800

Learning and Skills Council - Kent and Medway. 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 4152

Locate in Kent. Find out how Kent can help your business expand in or relocate to Kent and Medway. Its free corporate relocation service includes providing business grants assistance and commercial property searches. Locate in Kent has helped more than 560 companies move to or expand in the county and create over 23,800 new jobs. Why not join them? Business grants are available across Kent and Medway under the Grant for Business Investment (GBI) and Grant for Research and Development schemes.
http://www.locateinkent.com | 01732 520 700

Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce. Thames Gateway (Kent) Chamber of Commerce operates from within Europe’s largest regeneration projects, Kent Thameside, Medway and Swale. For business this means that there are numerous opportunities which include economic, environmental and social – the keys to a quality sustainable business community. As a member of the Chamber, you will be able to access these opportunities through our website and business newsletter – keeping you one step ahead of your competitors.
http://www.tgcoc.co.uk | 01634 311 411

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

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