Start up business ideas
Develop and test your business idea and decide what form your business should take.
Also in this topic

• Types of business
• Testing business ideas
• Product development
• Is running a business really for you?
• Start up stories

Set up a business
Understand the different business forms and register your sole trader business, partnership or limited company.
Also in this topic

• Registering as a sole trader
• Setting up a limited company
• Business names
• Buy a franchise
• Buying a business
• Starting an online business
• Setting up a social enterprise
• Small business support

Skills and wellbeing

Protect your wellbeing from the pressures of starting and running a business and develop key business skills.

Also in this topic

• Manage your time
• Self-confidence
• Leadership
• Dealing with stress

Business planning
Create a business plan that can help you attract funding, track progress and grow your business.
Also in this topic

• Write a business plan
• Business strategy
• Start up costs
• Managing cash flow

Start up funding
Learn about sources of start up funding , common start up costs and cash flow management.

Tax and National Insurance
Understand what tax and National Insurance you will pay and what tax and financial records you must keep.
Also in this topic

• How to work out tax and NI
• Accounting and bookkeeping

Business law
Introduction to key areas of business law you must comply with from employment law to health and safety.
Also in this topic

• Licences and registration
• Protecting intellectual property
• Insurance for business
• Workplace health, safety and environmental rules

Sales and marketing
Essential start up advice on market research, marketing strategy, customer service and sales techniques.
Also in this topic

• Looking after your customers
• Promote your business
• Your marketing strategy
• Setting prices
• Sales techniques
• Research your market
• Creating and optimising a website

Business premises
Home office, shop or warehouse? Choose the right premises to attract customers and minimise costs.
Also in this topic

• Commercial premises
• Premises security

Employees
Hire employees, comply with employment law and manage your small business employees.
Also in this topic

• People management
• Recruitment, contracts, discipline and grievance
• Employment rights
• Hiring employees

Business IT
Get the right IT for your start up business and manage the risks to your data and systems.
Also in this topic

• Buying IT for your new business
• Basic IT security

Grow your business
Take your business from start up to scale up with advice on planning and funding business growth.
Also in this topic

• Preparing for business growth
• How to scale up your business
• Funding business growth
• Start exporting
• Personal development