Business Ideas & Planning

This section covers business start up ideas and business planning. The expert advice articles will help you learn how to write an effective business plan to help secure funding and there are guides to step you through the launch of a successful business.

Choosing your business address

My 2 friends & I are starting up a business, trading as a partnership. This business will be run from each of our homes, as it is an Internet-based business, I need advice on a business address. Out of the three houses, how do we decide which address to put on stationery etc, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using that person's address?

Opening a village shop

I am looking for advice on starting up a village shop in my own premises. I have already made enquiries about re-opening the sub post-office which closed some months ago.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: know your market

Do you want to sell to the common man or to the more priviliged, is your product something for shops, for the internet or for both? Use this checklist to find your target market.

Business Ideas & Planning

Guide to choosing a business name

What's in a name? Quite a lot actually. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is what to call your new business.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: what should be in your business plan

Your business plan is key to keeping your mind on long-term strategic goals while dealing with the day-to-day problems. Here's what it should contain.

Business Ideas & Planning

Guide to the first steps

There's a lot of issues to consider when starting up for the first time and this short guide will help clarify what those are.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: your business idea

You have a great idea for your business and you're champing at the bit to get it up and running. But first, take a few minutes to make sure you are absolutely ready.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: Is starting a business for you?

Deciding to start your own business is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make. This checklist from the Small Business Guide reveals the questions you need to ask yourself before you take the plunge.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: your business idea

You have a great idea for your business and you're champing at the bit to get it up and running. But first, take a few minutes to make sure you are absolutely ready.

Business Ideas & Planning

Checklist: Is starting a business for you?

Business Ideas & Planning

How to write a business proposal

Writing a business plan or proposal is a difficult but vital skill for anyone starting up, with many issues to consider and include.

Business Ideas & Planning

Having the right business plan is key

Would-be entrepreneurs looking to start up their own businesses need to concentrate on producing a top notch business plan, says the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.