Chapter 2: Startup Information

Business start-up facts

2.1 Contents:

1. Small business statistics
2. SMEs & the economy
3. UK business demographics
4. SME business trends
5. Concentrations of business
6. SME home truths
7. Getting help
8. Being your product
9. Challenges
10. Startup myths

Startup Advice: do's & dont's

2.2 Contents:

1. Becoming an expert
2. Using resources effectively
3. The value of cash
4. Making it your own
5. Getting on with it
6. Embracing the power of "now"
7. The importance of passion
8. A need for focus
9. Product development

Mindset & attitudes

2.3 Contents:

1. What is an entrepreneur?
2. Entrepreneurs or celebrities?
3. How to be an entrepreneur
4. Doing it for the right reasons
5. Watch your attitude
6. Your ultimate goal
7. Benefits of business
8. Positive mindset
9. Size is no disadvantage
10. Small is beautiful

Why not to start a business?

2.4 Contents:

1. Fear
2. Age
3. Not being a salesperson
4. Lack of capital
5. Income worries
6. Not having a good idea
7. Because you're a control freak
8. Being risk adverse
9. Wanting to be a millionaire
10. Buy a business instead

Before you set your heart on starting a new enterprise and living a life of independence, it might be a good idea to consider some of the reasons why not to. It's a big undertaking and not without its risks. In this section, we explore some of the issues that might be holding you back. Fear of failure, a reluctance to act as salesperson for your new venture, insufficient capital and being risk adverse might be just some of the reasons you are reluctant to commit. Not to worry though- we grapple with each of these issues (and more) and consider strategies for overcoming these barriers. In all honesty, our course might teach you that you are not quite ready for the world of business in which case we hope that helping you to make your mind up one way or the other will save you a whole lot of time and money.

Learning from failure; why startups fail

2.5 Contents:

1. Lack of start up preparation
2. Lack of purpose
3. Bad timing
4. Insufficient skills
5. Not enough research
6. Absence of strategy
7. Poor finance & cash flow
8. Falling foul of legal issues
9. Ropey people & teams
10. Poor location

Preparing for enterprise

We explore what's involved in starting up in commerce. A high-level view of what's required and what can be expected as you strive for entrepreneurial success.

2.6 Contents:

1. Starting a business is scary
2. It's a character test
3. From ideas into action
4. It's fun (or should be)
5. It's about practice & learning
6. Turning consumers into customers
7. It's not just about new ideas
8. Maximising available resources
9. The advantage of agility
10. Secrets of startup success

Steps to take before launch

Section Contents:

1. Taking stock
2. Start developing ideas
3. Refining your products
4. Improvements based on feedback
5. Finding co-founders & partners
6. Sales & Marketing plan
7. Preparing a business plan
8. Company formation
9. Raising finance
10. Launching your venture

This section deals with the steps to consider before starting a company, we explore how to develop ideas and then refine and improve them based on customer feedback. After that you need to find partners, devise your sales and marekting plan, form your company and get your finainces in order.

Creating company identity

2.8 Contents:

1. Your business values & ethics
2. Company mantra
3. Mission & vision
4. Brand identity
5. Naming my business
6. Strapline
7. Positioning
8. Branding
9. Logos
10. Web presence
11. Staying in the spotlight

Business strategy

2.9 Contents:

1. Timing your startup
2. Mindset & attitude for business
3. Growth strategies
4. Positioning
5. Bringing on board partners
6. Business Models
7. Creating a culture
8. Your value proposition
9. PEST Analysis
10. Startup strategy summary

Business types for new entrepreneurs

2.10 Contents:

1. Women in business
2. Startups for over 50's
3. Your business
4. Buying a franchise
5. Digital ventures
6. Service enterprises
7. Wholesaling
8. Retailing
9. Social Enterprise
10. Ethnic businesses