Business
Dissatisfied workers in Berkshire who dream of becoming their own boss are being urged to take the plunge and find out more about what is involved.
According to a recent YouGov survey, three-quarters of adults in the South East (75 per cent) think about changing their chosen career at least once a year, and usually after a holiday or break.
Steve Cunnell, Business Link's regional start-up manager, said: "Returning to work after a holiday period can be tough and almost demoralising; many people dream of answering to no one but themselves. The thought of going it alone can be daunting but there is plenty of help available.
"For anyone wanting to start their own company, Business Link can offer all kinds of assistance. Initially all you really need is a business idea and Business Link can help with the rest."
Entrepreneurs are increasingly active in the county with recent statistics suggesting that during the first half of 2007, 4,500 new businesses were established in Berkshire.
Steve Cunnell provides his top tips for people who are thinking about working for themselves.
n Carry out some research on your chosen market. Search the internet and local newspapers and find out what the competition is doing. Find out what they offer, how much they charge and who they target.
n Focus on who your customers will be. Offer an attractive product and ensure you are competitive. Make sure that your product or service offers something different, ideally something unique, that is valued by customers and that they are willing to pay for.
n Work out the numbers involved. Before you start your business, put together a forecast of the income you expect to generate and all the costs, both start-up and on-going, you expect the business to incur. Be realistic: it can take a long time for a new company to start making money so make sure you calculate your costs to ensure you break even.
n Draft a business plan that covers not just the crucial first year of trading but that also takes a longer-term perspective e.g. where you want the business to be in three to five years time. A realistic, workable business plan will help you to think about all aspects of the business. Keeping it updated will help you keep on track and meet your objectives.
n Get help and support. Starting and managing your own business will involve some tough challenges and difficult decisions.
He continued: "Starting your own business can be a frightening prospect but it is a bit like going to a theme park and watching your friends go on a particularly scary ride. You might think to yourself that you could never do that but once they persuade you to give it a try, you normally come off exhilarated and wanting more! We believe that everyone owes it to themselves to find out if starting their own business is right for them.
"Owning your own business is not for everyone; it is hard work and unless you are the next Richard Branson and are naturally gifted, you need to have a basic grasp of the key business principles."
Business Link runs a series of free ‘Starting your own business' workshops that are held regularly in Newbury, Reading, Slough and Crowthorne. The ‘Is it right for you?' workshop helps individuals who have a business idea to think about whether the reality of being their own boss matches the dream. Those with a firm idea and who are ready to start their business can attend ‘Planning for success', ‘How to win and keep customers' and ‘Managing money'.
Mr Cunnell added: "Coming along to our workshops will help you crystallise your thoughts. It is also an excellent opportunity to interact with like-minded people in a similar situation to yourself."
The ‘Starting your own business' workshops are run regularly during the day, in the evening and at weekends. The material used is interactive and enables attendees to relate the key business principles to their own business idea. Attendees will also take away a folder at the end of the session that will help with business planning and enable Business Link business advisers to provide further practical assistance at a later stage.
To find out when and where your nearest workshops are taking place and for your free guide to starting your own business, call 0845 600 9 006. Alternatively visit www.startupanswers.co.uk to download your free guide.
According to a recent YouGov survey, three-quarters of adults in the South East (75 per cent) think about changing their chosen career at least once a year, and usually after a holiday or break.
Steve Cunnell, Business Link's regional start-up manager, said: "Returning to work after a holiday period can be tough and almost demoralising; many people dream of answering to no one but themselves. The thought of going it alone can be daunting but there is plenty of help available.
"For anyone wanting to start their own company, Business Link can offer all kinds of assistance. Initially all you really need is a business idea and Business Link can help with the rest."
Entrepreneurs are increasingly active in the county with recent statistics suggesting that during the first half of 2007, 4,500 new businesses were established in Berkshire.
Steve Cunnell provides his top tips for people who are thinking about working for themselves.
n Carry out some research on your chosen market. Search the internet and local newspapers and find out what the competition is doing. Find out what they offer, how much they charge and who they target.
n Focus on who your customers will be. Offer an attractive product and ensure you are competitive. Make sure that your product or service offers something different, ideally something unique, that is valued by customers and that they are willing to pay for.
n Work out the numbers involved. Before you start your business, put together a forecast of the income you expect to generate and all the costs, both start-up and on-going, you expect the business to incur. Be realistic: it can take a long time for a new company to start making money so make sure you calculate your costs to ensure you break even.
n Draft a business plan that covers not just the crucial first year of trading but that also takes a longer-term perspective e.g. where you want the business to be in three to five years time. A realistic, workable business plan will help you to think about all aspects of the business. Keeping it updated will help you keep on track and meet your objectives.
n Get help and support. Starting and managing your own business will involve some tough challenges and difficult decisions.
He continued: "Starting your own business can be a frightening prospect but it is a bit like going to a theme park and watching your friends go on a particularly scary ride. You might think to yourself that you could never do that but once they persuade you to give it a try, you normally come off exhilarated and wanting more! We believe that everyone owes it to themselves to find out if starting their own business is right for them.
"Owning your own business is not for everyone; it is hard work and unless you are the next Richard Branson and are naturally gifted, you need to have a basic grasp of the key business principles."
Business Link runs a series of free ‘Starting your own business' workshops that are held regularly in Newbury, Reading, Slough and Crowthorne. The ‘Is it right for you?' workshop helps individuals who have a business idea to think about whether the reality of being their own boss matches the dream. Those with a firm idea and who are ready to start their business can attend ‘Planning for success', ‘How to win and keep customers' and ‘Managing money'.
Mr Cunnell added: "Coming along to our workshops will help you crystallise your thoughts. It is also an excellent opportunity to interact with like-minded people in a similar situation to yourself."
The ‘Starting your own business' workshops are run regularly during the day, in the evening and at weekends. The material used is interactive and enables attendees to relate the key business principles to their own business idea. Attendees will also take away a folder at the end of the session that will help with business planning and enable Business Link business advisers to provide further practical assistance at a later stage.
To find out when and where your nearest workshops are taking place and for your free guide to starting your own business, call 0845 600 9 006. Alternatively visit www.startupanswers.co.uk to download your free guide.
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