THE best day to make a change is today. If you’ve ever daydreamed about starting your own business, then now could be the perfect time to turn that fantasy into a reality.
There are many reasons that people want to start their own business, such as more flexible working hours, greater control or simply to do something that they’re passionate about. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of people doing it. So why not join them?
It might be a little daunting but the good news is that there are people who can help. At the Growth Hub we have a team of specialist advisers who can support you with a range of topics from business planning and market research to how to develop a website that’ll help you stand out from the crowd.
Our Ready2Grow project has been specifically set up to help Northamptonshire’s entrepreneurs to take that first step towards starting out. Project participants will be provided with a series of free workshops and 1-2-1 adviser sessions.
The workshops programme covers a variety of topics such as:
Business Planning
The business plan is a vital internal document that can help you develop a course of action to achieve your objectives, establish benchmarks, and measure your progress. In this workshop you will get a good understanding of how a business plan should be produced and how it can be used to your best advantage.
Finance for Start-Up
This workshop takes you through the financial tools available to new businesses. Looking at pricing, budgeting, calculating break even points and how to develop a 12-month cash flow forecast. The workshop will also explore some of the barriers new businesses face when looking for finance.
Introduction to Social Media for Business
The aim of this workshop is to get the audience thinking about their social media marketing strategy. We look at a number of different platforms, how they work and the difference between using each platform on a personal and professional level. We introduce the concept of analytics behind most platforms, SEO and how you should use this to refine and improve your social media activity.
Introduction to Effective Websites for Business
The website is a 24/7 shop window for any business. This workshop will offer an overview of the pros and cons of doing it yourself and using a website designer. Will look at site layout and general best practice, how to produce good quality copy, and cyber security.
If you’re ready to live the dream, contact us now on 01604 212696 or email: .
The Ready2Grow project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is delivered in Northamptonshire by the Growth Hub, the University of Northampton and Northamptonshire County Council.