The Making It team of experienced trainers will be delivering on behalf of Business Link at the following events……………………………

business training events
getting you started in business

So You Want to be an Entrepreneur?
This workshop is an introduction to all aspects of running your own business. It will help you decide whether self-employment is right for you, look at your personal motivation and cover pitfalls and benefits of being your ‘own boss’. You can also find out more about legal and regulatory issues such as business status, insurance, employment legislation and taxation. The workshop will also explore Business Plans; Marketing; Operations; Cash Flow and Profit Projections.  This is recommended as a first workshop to provide an overview for your business plan.  The following workshops cover each area in more depth.

Let’s Talk Starting in Business
Many new businesses fly no further than the drawing board. This workshop, run in conjunction with Barclays, will give you the tools to help your business take off.  How to write a good business plan; sourcing finance; managing cash flow; taxation and VAT; marketing and lots more… In particular, the session will cover Business Plans to help you set your goals and to also look at the information required to satisfy the criteria of lenders such as banks.

Business Planning
A common reason given for not forward planning is ‘How can I know what the business will look like in years to come?’ You can’t, but you can anticipate what could happen and how you will manage the various extremes. This is about business planning to help you set your goals and to also look at the information required to satisfy the criteria of lenders such as banks. This workshop will take you through the key items you should be detailing in your Business Plan and you will go away with a pro-forma to help develop your own.

W.I.N.E! (Women’s Inspirational Networking Event)
If you’re thinking of starting up in business or have started within the last 12 months then this course is for you.  Be inspired by the authors of ‘Making It – women entrepreneurs reveal their secrets of success’ and find out if you have the right attitude for success.  Do you have a fabulous plan to make your business work? Come and join us to find the answers, network and enjoy a 2 course lunch ‘Gino’s’ style.

The Passion Plan
Covering all of the aspects of Business Planning (above) in a more creative, feminine and motivational way. The majority of delegates on this workshop are women who are turning their hobby or passion into a business that fits with their ‘whole life plan’.

Financial Planning
Financial planning helps to increase the chances of business success. This workshop will illustrate the importance of sound financial planning when setting up a business as well as equipping you with an appreciation of the basics involved in the financial planning process. Topics covered include Costing; Pricing; Mark Ups versus Margins; and Break Even. The workshop also considers the planning issues of Profit Forecasting, Cash Forecasting, Capital Expenditure and Depreciation. Participants will leave the workshop with the tools and skills to review the essential financial elements of their business.

Managing the Money
This practical workshop examines different ways of keeping financial records. It covers the importance and value of keeping basic financial records, what to keep and how to go about it – vital information for new businesses. The legal obligations are explored and the issues of Taxation (including VAT) are covered in detail. Perhaps the most important element of the workshop is showing how to financially monitor the business. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience a simple ‘spreadsheet’ model.

Managing the Risk
This workshop has two main themes: 1) How to set your stall out correctly to minimise late payments and bad debts. 2) How to chase debts effectively and efficiently using the most appropriate method. Participants will be encouraged to identify the most relevant terms and conditions for their own market place. They will also consider the most appropriate courses of action to help cash flow issues. The workshop also deals with credit information sources, debt chasing, legal procedures and factoring.

Sales & Marketing
Marketing is the importance of attracting and retaining customers’ spending power. The workshop includes: Research; Competitive Advantage; Advertising & Promotion; and a Detailed Marketing Plan, Test marketing with other delegates. Learning how to overcome the fear of selling and convert your effort into sales. Examining and practising some closing techniques.

ICT
This workshop has been designed to help new business owners understand how ICT can help with both increasing sales and keeping the office organised. The programme will cover: Getting your website up and running; choosing the right telephone, hardware and software systems, understanding email, the internet and computer networks, and protecting your business from ICT misuse.

 

Contact us for Dates & Venues.