Starting a business 'from scratch'.
Planning.

Related Pages
•Next page.
•Back to 'methods' page.
•The legal format of your business.
In detail:
•Formulate your products/ services.
•Consider the competition.
•Attracting customers.
•Choosing your premises.
•Business Equipment.
•Your local Business Link.
•Employing staff.
•Your 'business plan'.
•Your 'cashflow forecast'.
•Choosing an accountant.
•Limited Company, Sole Trader or Partnership.
Useful Links:
•About.com.

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Conceiving your business idea / Planning.

Be sure to consider all of the systems and processes involved in running a business early on. Be aware of any problems you may have, and then work out ways of dealing with them well before you start trading.



Think hard about your business idea.
Formulate your product / service & identify your market.




Identify & observe your competition.
Look at their strengths and weaknesses.

How will you attract your customers?





Where are you going to set up in business?





What equipment do you need to get started?

It may be worth discussing your ideas
with your local Business Link and other
related organisations.



A good accountant will be happy to offer you sound advice at this stage of the start-up process. However, the quality of this advice will depend on the accuracy of the information that you give to them.
If you wish to convince them that you are serious
about your plans and want a reliable quote
for the forecasted accountancy fees it is worth
considering and preparing for the following questions:



How many staff will you need to employ in your first 6 months / year?





Have you completed a business plan?





Have you formulated a realistic cash flow forecast?

Talk to some accountants and choose
one that you feel comfortable with.





RIGHT WHATS NEXT?



 Books & products to buy :

'Start in Business' Best Sellers :
The Beermat Entrepreneur : Advice on Turning a Good Idea into a Great Business.
How to Make Millions With Your Ideas : An Entrepreneur's Guide.
Richard Branson : The Authorised Biography
Motley Fool : Make your Child a Millionaire.
Hackers and Painters : What impact will programmers have on the rest of us?

Legal Document Templates :
Trading : Debtors & Creditors, Contracts & Letters etc.
Corporate : Corporate Docs & Forms, Company Admin, Companies House Forms
Employment : Recruitment, Staff Management, Discipline & Dismissal
Health & Safety : Health & Safety Statements, H & S Forms

Retailer's and Trader's Resources :

UK Wholesale Directory + Product Database :
SimplyWholesale : Find suppliers & view live wholesale offers.

Wholesale Directory - List of Suppliers :
UK-Trader's Wholesale Guide : Used by thousands of traders. Instant download.

Business Software :
Business Plan Software : Generate a solid business plan.

Gadgets / Future :
Electronic Product Code (EPC) Network : Research into the future of products
Buying Gadgets : The first Bluetooth products on the market.
Making Gadgets : Programming wireless devices with Java 2 ME.

Fun Stuff / Entertainment :
Ghana Soundz, Music : Probably the best music you will ever hear
The Office, TV Series : Useful when training your staff!
Need a Better Office Ambiance? : Sound like a call centre on the telephone!
Competitions : Sony Equipment