Business guides
Practical advice for helping your business grow
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Here are just a few of our new and current features to help you move your business forward. Articles include:.
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General Advice(3)
In this section you'll find great advice from the professionals including 'What I wish I'd known before I started' and how to close those all-important deals.
Starting in a downturn
The economic downturn presents opportunities as well as difficulties for new businesses
Closing sales
Closing a sale is a skill. This is a short guide to the techniques you should have in your armoury when having a sales meeting
Raising Money(4)
Getting the money you need for your business is crucial to its success, so find out what helps make your bank manager say 'Yes' to a new business loan.
Funding your start-up
You've got the big idea, but where do you find the cash to turn it into a business?
What helps make your bank manager say 'Yes' to a new business loan
You've got your business plan in place, so what now? To secure the funding you want, you need to know how to sell yourself
Debt vs. Equity
If your business requires finance, there are two options: you can either borrow money, or you can seek support from investors
Structured and mezzanine finance
Finding that your business needs are getting increasingly complex? The solution could be tailored bank lending packages
Planning and Management(5)
'A successful business is underpinned by firm basic principles. A business plan in 60 seconds should help you get your foot through the door.'
A business plan in 60 seconds
Admittedly, it will take more than 60 seconds to write your business plan, but read here what you need to include
Understanding the numbers
Understanding the basic numbers relating to your business is absolutely vital
Forecasting
It's vital to consider whether your company's earnings in the months ahead will be sufficient to cover its outgoings and generate a profit
Cashflow toolkit
Cashflow is the lifeblood of every business. The following is a guide to effectively managing the balance between expenditure and income
Dealing with financial problems
Most businesses have to cope with financial difficulties at one time or another. Often these can be easily dealt with
Types of business(2)
From buying a franchise to discovering your skill-set, find the business to suit you.
Should you buy a franchise?
You want to start your own business but aren't ready to set out on your own. Buying an off-the-shelf company might be the solution
What's your skill-set?
Identify the skills you have, the skills you don't have, and how to plug those gaps with our quick checklist
Regulation (Red Tape)(2)
There are certain things you just have to do when starting and running a business. We've outlined some legal and administration requirements.
Legal requirements
Before launching a business, you should decide on the appropriate legal structure. For conventional businesses there are four main options
Business admin
Many people who start a business for the first time are surprised by how much administrative work it requires
Buying more equipment
Even if it's only a mobile phone, a laptop or a bag of tools, all businesses need equipment
New premises
Finding and securing the right workplace is an important step on the road to business success
Marketing(3)
Know your competitors and you may have a greater chance at improving your performance. Also learn about road-testing your idea.
Developing and implementing a marketing plan
A clearly-defined and well-implemented marketing plan is vital for business success
Know your competitors
If you're in business, you have competitors. You need to know who they are, so you can maximise the potential of your own business
Road-test your idea
The key to any new business, product or service is to work out whether or not there is a market for it
Business squad
Every start-up needs a back-up team of advisors and experts to help you get your facts, figures and legal requirements in place.