1.8 How to get Support



All busiensses, especially new ones, must operate at peek efficiency in order to reduce costs and rule out significant risk.

A good first step for an entrepreneur is to have an action play, more commonly known as a business plan.

This document will outline the purpose and intentions of the business and the future goals which it aims to achieve. Such plans give the enterprise clarity of purpose and a solid set of goals and objectives. The can easily identify the target market, products and services to be offered, the information on the competition plus financial information such as forcasts, profit and loss and balance sheets.

The following organisations can provide good advice to entrepreneurs:

• Business Link
• The Chamber of Commerce
• High-Street Banks

They provide support, advice, grants and development funds in particular parts of the country. For instance, where funding is concerned, banks can provide business overdraft facilities and low interest-rate loans.

There is also the provision of mentoring services for businesses through organisations such as Business Link. Accounting, computing, communications, financial services and legal services are also available for new businesses.