Dates: Check Online Bookings

The Start Your Own Business Programme focuses on those with a business idea, are either unemployed or in employment but are unsure how to develop the idea into a business plan. The programme will guide participants through the various aspects of running a business and business planning. The objective is to assist participants to assess their business idea, its viability and decide to proceed or take a step back. No prior knowledge is necessary and the programme. To register your interest for the next programme check our Online Bookings for upcoming programmes.

The content of these modules has been specifically designed to meet the needs of sole traders and SME's like you. Please note the sequence of the following modules may not necessarily follow as we use a range of trainers for each area to ensure that you are getting information from the most highly qualified specialists.

The Start Your Own Business modules are:

1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship

• Profile of an Entrepreneur
• Qualities needed to succeed in Business
• Goal Setting
• Risk Taking
• Long Term Commitment - what does it involve?

2. Legal Structures and Registration

• Introduction to Sources of Irish Law
• Sole Trader - Pros and Cons
• Partnerships - Pros and Cons
• Private Limited Companies - Pros and Cons
• Contract Law
• Employment Law

3. Preparing your Business Plan

• What is a business plan
• How to write a business plan - a step by step approach
• Marketing, operations and financial plans - made simple
• What makes a good business plan
• Why prepare a business plan?
• Getting Started
• Steps for getting FETAC Level 5 Start Your Own Business Qualification

4. Market Research - Customers & Competitors

• Who will my customers be?
• Where will I find them?
• How can technology help me carry out my Market Research?
• Why is my product or service different? Features and Benefits
• Designing a Market Research Questionnaire
• Who and where are my competitors? Primary, Secondary, Potential

5. Marketing - The 4P's

• What product or service are you actually offering?
• What price are you going to charge for it?
• How are you going to promote it?
• Where are you going to run your business from - Place?
• Also:
• Business card, letterhead, invoice design
• How to design a brochure
• Tips about printing companies
• Writing a sales letter
• Cheap and effective marketing techniques

6. Practical Finance - Cash Flow

• Cycles in a business
• Cash Flow
• How to write a Cash Flow statement
• Calculating a Profit and Loss statement
• Case Study

7. Sources of Finance and Assistance

• Equity - Personal and Corporate Sources
• Grant Aid - a guide to the Irish Grant Aid Structure
• Debt - How to deal with your Bank
• Bank Overdrafts
• Term Loans
• The Role of the Enterprise Board

8. Practical Bookkeeping

• Choosing a bank and a bank manager
• How to open a business (and a personal, even a VAT) account
• Books to be kept by a sole trader / SME
• Registering for tax purposes
• Invoices and Bills
• Cash and Credit Discounts
• Petty Cash
• Cash Flow explained
• Calendar of significant events for the sole trader and SME
• PAYE / PRSI and VAT returns
• Preliminary and end of year tax returns
• Dealing with government forms: P35, P45, P60 etc. (as required)
• Choosing an accountant

9. Customer Care & Communications

• Customer Care - Knowing your customers
• How to listen to your customer
• Stress Management
• Time Management
• Video review of communications module

10. The Internet and E-Commerce

• The History of the Internet
• What it is and how it works
• Glossary of terms on the Internet
• Services currently available on the Internet
• Myths associated with e-commerce