Start Your Business

Course modules:

• Module 1: Preparation – Before You Start Your Business

  • 1.1 Self-assessment. Are you an entrepreneur?

  • 1.2 Market Research and competition analysis

  • 1.3 Developing, assessing and testing your idea

  • 1.4 Funding – how to finance your business idea

  • 1.5 Availing of help

• Module 2: Introduction To Marketing

  • 2.1 Income sources and pricing
  • 2.2 Marketing, advertising, promotion
  • 2.3 Building your marketing and sales strategy
  • 2.4 Make full use of technology

• Module 3: Setting Up Your Business

  • 3.1 Your business structure
  • 3.2 Business name, brands and intellectual property
  • 3.3 Legislation/regulation/permissions
  • 3.4 Registering the business

• Module 4: Running Your Business

  • 4.1 Budgets and cash flow
  • 4.2 Accounting, record keeping and taxes
  • 4.3 Business bank account and online banking
  • 4.4 Arranging finance
  • 4.5 Insurance
  • 4.6 Premises
  • 4.7 Home based business
  • 4.8 Staff, motivation and training
  • 4.9 Suppliers

• Module 5: Business Plan

  • 5.1 What is a business plan and why do you need one?
  • 5.2 Sections in the business plan
  • 5.3 Access help to write your plan

• Module 6: Launching Your Business

  • 6.1 Planning a successful business launch
  • 6.2 Time management and delegation
  • 6.3 Personal development
  • 6.4 Building Your Business Network

Market Your Business

Course modules:

• Module 1: Marketing

  • 1.1 What is marketing?
  • 1.2 Customers needs and wants
  • 1.3 Marketing research
  • 1.4 Market research: what to look at and where to find it
  • 1.5 Segmentation
  • 1.6 Positioning
  • 1.7 The 4 Ps – Product, Price, Place, Promotion
  • 1.8 Three more Ps – People, Process, Physical environment
  • 1.9 Product development
  • 1.10 Pricing strategy
  • 1.11 Credit and payment terms
  • 1.12 Promotion channels
  • 1.13 How to distribute your products, B2B marketing
  • 1.14 After sales service – handling complaints and returns

• Module 2: Your Marketing Plan

  • 2.1 Why have a marketing plan?
  • 2.2 Essential components for a marketing plan
  • 2.3 Sample marketing plan

• Module 3: Low Cost Marketing Techniques

  • 3.1 Business image
  • 3.2 Increase your visibility in your community
  • 3.3 Referrals
  • 3.4 Build a mailing list
  • 3.5 Business networking

• Module 4: Developing Your Brand

  • 4.1 Brand identity
  • 4.2 Differentiate
  • 4.3 Brand name and logo
  • 4.4 Building your brand personality
  • 4.5 How?
  • 4.6 Believe in your brand and your customers will too

• Module 5: Your Website

  • 5.1 Why do you need a website?
  • 5.2 Setting up a website
  • 5.3 Creating good content
  • 5.4 The copy
  • 5.5 Search engine optimization, SEO
  • 5.6 Website analytics
  • 5.7 Benefits of blogging

• Module 6: Social Media And Online Marketing

  • 6.1 What is online marketing?
  • 6.2 The power of social media
  • 6.3 Rules of engagement
  • 6.4 Prepare a social media marketing plan
  • 6.5 Manage your online presence
  • 6.6 How to be likeable on social media
  • 6.7 A picture is worth a thousand words
  • 6.8 Facebook
  • 6.9 LinkedIn
  • 6.10 Google + Business
  • 6.11 Twitter
  • 6.12 Blog
  • 6.13 YouTube
  • 6.14 Pinterest
  • 6.15 Skype
  • 6.16 Email marketing

• Module 7: Public Relations & Advertising

  • 7.1 Look for PR opportunities
  • 7.2 Brainstorming
  • 7.3 Writing an effective press release
  • 7.4 Radio/Press interview
  • 7.5 Generate newsworthy ideas
  • 7.6 Advertising

• Module 8: Sales

  • 8.1 Sales campaigns
  • 8.2 Your sales pitch
  • 8.3 Leads generation
  • 8.4 Pay per click advertising and selling online

• See the full Start Your Business course description

• See the full Market Your Business course description