If this is the first time you’ve run a business, you’re probably finding it exciting but difficult to keep on track with the whole new range of activities that you need to keep on top of.
We’ve been involved in 4 business start ups over a 25 year period and we’ve found out a thing or two which you might find useful.
First of all you have to be really clear about what it is you want to achieve.
Generally when we start up we have an idea of what we think the market wants.
In practice it almost always wants only about half of your ideas mixed up
with something you never thought of when you started. That’s why we
have an inexpensive one to one session “what’s your purpose?”
to help you with this. This is to help you get step 1 – the elevator
pitch sorted out.
Then you need to promote yourself and get people to find you.
Most start ups are in the position of having the manager as brand. It’s
YOU that makes the difference to your customers and that’s what they
buy. BUT there is a catch 22, if you are plying your trade to earn money
you don’t have time to sell and if you’re selling you’re
not earning any money. The best way out of this is to organise an inexpensive
marketing programme to provide you with warm, semi-qualified leads. This
is going to involve a combination of on-line and off line activity so we
have 3 separate areas of support for you.
Finally you need to know how to use IT effectively.You need to be plugged into the networked economy but you don’t want to spend more than is sensible. We are IT professionals who are Technology Means Business accredited and have developed schemas of what small businesses need for their IT for both the DTI and PCWorld.
Use the menu on the right to find out more about developing your first
business, choose your area of interest and explore our range of workshops
and free fact sheets.