The NOW North East Workshops

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

This workshop offers an insight into what it is that makes entrepreneurs entrepreneurial. It will help you to understand what skills you need to take your idea further and learn how to establish a business that will survive and grow.

Business Planning

Business planning can be seen as an onerous task by new (and old!) business owners.  This workshop will show you how to prepare a successful business plan and will give you the skills and tools for establishing and developing a realistic business.

Sources of Finance

This workshop will highlight the range of potential sources of finance for your business and help you understand the features and benefits of each type of finance. It will not only look at the relevant sources of finance for you but also the legal implications, public funding options and how to apply for funding.

Managing Finance

This workshop is designed to introduce you to the basics of small business accounting. It is aimed at those of you who haven't even seen or heard of balance sheets or profit and loss accounts. It builds on th simple elements of a business transaction and discusses how this is managed in a financial way. From here the workshop takes you through the profile of a small business and the financial tools needed to manage it.

Marketing

This workshop is designed to introduce the basics of small business marketing. You will look at all aspects of marketing from the perspective of solving customers problems. It builds on the simple elements of understanding the clients’ perspective, the specific product/service has the appropriate profile to your target customers and ensuring that marketing does not stop once the product has been sold.

Employing People

This workshop will help you understand the legal, procedural and practical requirements when recruiting staff. It will explore when it is appropriate to expand the team and help you understand how to optimise your investment in the process. The workshops will also inform you about carrying out an effective recruitment campaign and talk you through the selection and induction process. This will ensure everyone goes away with practical advice and recruitment tools that can be applied to your business.

Sales

This workshop has been specifically designed for those who interact with customers and for those looking to create and develop strong, influential customer relationships with prospects, influencers, decision-makers and customers. It will enable you to recognise the importance of the sales function, structure sales within a start up business, highlight potential challenges and allow you to practice and develop your newly found skills in a supportive and positive context.

Business Formation and Legal Issues

When setting up a business it really does pay to get it right first time.  Failing to address the legal practicalities can result in exposure to unnecessary risks, costs and non-compliance implications.  This workshop looks at the advantages and disadvantages of different legal structures and the mechanics of setting up a business that fully complies with the law.

Finding Premises

This workshop will equip you to manage the whole process of defining, finding, choosing and obtaining suitable premises.  This covers identifying the right premises for your needs, what you need and when and the legal issues you need to be aware of from Health & Safety to Duty of Care.

IT and E Commerce

This workshop is aimed at providing you with a basic understanding of the various elements of e-commerce and what makes it different from other kinds of commerce. It includes how to establish a web presence and the options available to host e-commerce sites. Examples of packages and how to create an online shop including catalogues and shopping baskets will also be discussed. The workshop will be an opportunity for you to explore your individual situation and draw from the group ideas, thoughts and experiences using a range of live examples and exercises.