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"The Agency provides help to start-up and established bussinesses alike. We have built our strong reputation by being professional, impartial and approachable. Customer enquiries are treated in confidence and handled by a member of staff with personal experience in business." Diana Porges, Director |
Would business life be a little easier if you had help with any of the following?
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Finding Customers | |
| Finding customers is essential. Without customers you have no business. The choices are endless - advertising, word-of-mouth, networking, clubs... which is right for you? | ||
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Advertising and Publicity | |
| Is it needed? Will it work? What should you expect? How do you prepare it? Local or national? Who can help? | ||
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Promoting your Products | |
| Is promotion the same as advertising? Offers, samples, gimmicks... what can be done to raise the profile of your business and its product or service? | ||
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Tax - Inland Revenue and VAT | |
| Sole Trader or Limited Company - what's the difference? What does the Revenue expect of you? Should you be VAT registered? What about National Insurance? What purchases qualify for tax relief? Do you need an accountant - what do they do? | ||
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Insurances - protection for your business | |
| Can you be sued for poor service? Can you get insurance against accidents - professional mistakes, staff or customer injuries? Is there a way to protect against non-payment by customers? | ||
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Cashflow forecasts - how to produce them | |
| Who needs a forecast? What does it tell you? How do you create one? Where do the facts come from? | ||
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Business Plans - how to write them | |
| Is the plan for yourself or someone else - the bank perhaps? Must every business have one? What's its purpose? Must you stick to the plan? | ||
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Training - how it can help you | |
| Are qualifications important? What training do you need? Where can you get it? What will it cost? Is there any free training around? | ||
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Credit Control - how to get paid | |
| Do you need a formal process? Are there people who'll chase up clients for you? What about the law? When is late payment truly late? | ||
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Premises - advice on where and how much | |
| Dedicated premises or home office? What about the costs? Do you need planning permission? What about health and safety? Are there any schemes to help start-ups? | ||
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Export / Import - easy access | |
| Is exporting as easy as posting things abroad? What about the tax and currency situation? Are there rules on working overseas temporarily? How can you find overseas customers? Who can ship bulky goods for you? | ||
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Book-Keeping - essential basic training | |
| What records do you need to keep - for how long? Who can show you how to do it? Is it complicated? Can somebody do it for you? | ||
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Dealing with the Bank | |
| Should you borrow to get started or expand your business? Do you need a business account separate from your personal one? Can the bank pay wages automatically? What other services do banks offer? | ||
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Employing People | |
| When do you employ someone and concentrate on managing? What are the regulations? Where do employment contracts come from? Can staff be self-employed instead of direct employees? Is it impossible to sack an ineffective employee? | ||
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Computers, Internet and your Business | |
| Will a computer simplify book-keeping, letter writing etc? What sort should you buy? Who can advise, support and train you? Do you need a web site? How does email work? How do you keep up with trends? | ||