Get off to a great startWest Yorkshire Enterprise AgencyBusiness start-up sessions July - September 2012

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These FREE sessions are aimed at anyone who is thinking of setting-up a business or about to start trading. They cover the basics from business planning to managing money and getting customers. The sessions are run by Enterprise Facilitators who have many years experience in helping to set-up new businesses. There will be lots of opportunities to ask questions during the sessions and you will also have the chance to network with other people who are setting up their own business.

What is a business plan?

Can I work from home?

Why do I need one? What should be in it?

Can I claim back my costs? Do I have to pay tax?

What laws do I have to follow?

Business Start-Up Sessions (July - September 2012)

Starting a Business (9.30am-4.30pm)There is a lot to think about when you’re setting up a business and it all starts with understanding what you want to achieve. This session is all about exploring where you want to be and how you’re going to get there.

We will take you through each section of a business plan using a handy template that you can take away at the end and we’ll also cover essentials like income tax and national insurance.

Find out more about the basics such as choosing the right name for your business and stay on the right side of the law with an introduction to regulations like insurance and data protection.

Calderdale Kirklees Wakefield

Wednesday 4 July Wednesday 11 July Wednesday 18 July

Tuesday 31 July Tuesday 7 August Tuesday 14 August

Wednesday 5 September Wednesday 12 September Wednesday 19 September

Managing Money (1.30pm-4.30pm)You need to know how to manage the money coming in and out of your business so we’ve put together an easy-to-understand session that will help you get to grips with the basics of financial planning.

Find out how to calculate your costs and the options for pricing your product or service. You will also learn more about forecasting your sales and how to work out your cashflow and profit.

This session will help you get organised with the introduction of a simple book keeping system and keep you on the right side of the law with an overview on business tax and VAT.

Getting Customers (9.30am-12.30)Your customers should be at the centre of your business so we’ve gone back to basics in this session to help you gain a better understanding of marketing practices like research, promotion and sales.

By the end of the session you will know how to research the market so that you can position your product or service in a way that meets your customers’ needs better than the competition.

We will introduce promotional techniques that will help you to reach potential customers and take you through a step-by-step guide to making a sale. This session also covers branding and advertising.

Calderdale Kirklees Wakefield

Thursday 5 July Thursday 12 July Thursday 19 July

Wednesday 1 August Wednesday 8 August Wednesday 15 August

Thursday 6 September Thursday 13 September Thursday 20 September

Who are my customers?

How will I tell them I’m here?

Where are they? How do I sell? What is marketing?

Should I advertise? How do I keep customers coming back?

How much should I charge?

How will I know if I’m going to make a profit?

How much will each customer buy?

Will I sell enough to pay the bills?

Should I charge VAT? How do I do my accounts?

What is a cash-flow forecast?Calderdale Kirklees Wakefield

Thursday 5 July Thursday 12 July Thursday 19 July

Wednesday 1 August Wednesday 8 August Wednesday 15 August

Thursday 6 September Thursday 13 September Thursday 20 September

The enterprise arm of Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

How to book: To book your FREE place, call 01924 786500 or email info@wyea.co.uk*

Where to go:CalderdaleThe Elsie Whiteley Innovation Centre, Hopwood Lane, Halifax, HX1 5ER

KirkleesThe Stable Block, Brewery Drive, Lockwood, Huddersfield, HD4 6EN

WakefieldNew Commerce House, 168 Westgate, Wakefield, WF2 9SR

*Places on these sessions are limited. If you are booked to attend but are not able to make it, please call to let us know as soon as you can so we can release your place.