Here you’ll find information on our upcoming business start-up courses…
Dates: Tuesday 7th May, Wednesday 8th May, Thursday 9th May and Friday 10th May 2024
Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm
Venue: Online
Click below to find out what’s involved…
- What is self-employment and what does it mean?
- Why do it? Pros, cons and characteristics
- Different business structures – which is best for you?
- Can you afford it? – Your survival budget
- Creating a business plan? Who / what is it for? E.g. raising finance, guide for the owner
- Financial projections - What are they and how to calculate the numbers?
- Help! Where do I start? Theoretical models
- What am I selling?
- Defining customers and competitors (who/ where/ when)
- Recognising and developing your USP Creating a Brand
- How to build your brand – consistency is key!
- Marketing v Selling - Advertising v PR Websites and social media
- Creating an e-marketing strategy social media and websites
- Data protection issues and GDPR The ‘how’ of marketing
- The human side of marketing - networking, presentation and events
- The self-assessment process
- Taxation rates, registration, deadlines and payment dates
- Taxation of the limited company.
- What is bookkeeping? - Why do it and what are the basics
- The impact of Making Tax Digital on businesses
- Options for bookkeeping including – manual, computerised, desktop and the cloud
- The difference between revenue and capital expenditure including allowable expenses and capital allowances
- Dealing with personal costs e.g. Cars, home, joint costs
- Introduction to VAT and PAYE
- What is sustainability? How does it affect me?
- Regulatory frameworks, voluntary and mandatory disclosures
- Where to start – creating ESG targets
- Bank accounts & how to open them (High street banking and alternative options)
- Lending Credit Control • Cash is King
- Dealing with bad payers
Dates: Monday 15th July, Tuesday 16th July, Wednesday 17th July and Thursday 18th July 2024
Time: 10am to 12.30pm
Venue: Online
• Introduction to the course
• Give us your pitch! Ask each delegate to describe their new business
• Exercise on the challenges and skills needed to build a business
• Turning your hobby into a business.
• Business structures e.g sole traders, partnerships, limited liability etc.
• Home working Vs premises
• Introduction to the business plan template we have made for them to fill in as the progress through the 4 sessions.
Homework: to clarify their business idea and create an elevator pitch.
• The formalities that need to be taken care of e.g. UTRs/Tax/VAT etc.
- Records you need to keep
- Trademarks/name registrations
- Copyrights
- Tax returns and tax payments
- Terms & conditions
- Insurances• Being clear on your trading boundaries
• Sustainability & ethics
• When and how to employ others
- As freelance contractors
- As employees
Homework: fill in more sections of the
business plan template
Cashflow management
• Spreadsheet templates
• How to calculate costs in the business and profit margins.
• Recording keeping
• What you can and can’t claim for
• Using an accountant
• Cloud based accounting systems
• Business banking
• Credit control
• ‘Making Tax Digital’ rules and how to deal with it.
• Different apps and tools to make life simpler for start-up businesses
• Pricing (depending on time)
Homework: fill in the money section of the business plan template
• Message and brand clarity
- Building an online profile.
- How to get a website
- Creating online profiles
- Social media marketing
- Email marketing
- Google My Business
• Running campaigns and promotions
• How to sell without feeling ‘salesy’
• A bit more on pricing
• How to use ChatGPT in your marketing
• Tools and apps to make marketing easier and quicker
• A template for creating a marketing calendar
• A template for launching new products/services
To book your place email info@cumbriagrowthhub.co.uk
Need more help? Get in touch …
To find out more contact Lesley Robinson at: Email: LesleyR@cumbriachamber.co.uk Tel: 0844 257 8450