This document summarizes an event about starting a business at Exeter University. The agenda includes an introduction to the speaker's background in business and events, information about Business West which supports over 16,000 businesses, a starting a business checklist, and details on the Ready for Business program which provides free support and workshops for individuals considering starting a business. The document encourages attendees to book a free workshop, get advice from program advisors, and discusses options for seeking funding assistance.

1. Exeter University GEW Event
Monday 12th November 2012

2. Agenda
• About me
• Business West
• Starting a Business Check List
• Ready for Business Programme
• Next Steps
• Any Questions

3. About Me

4. About me
• 20 years in the hotel &
events industry
– Director of Sales at a
Heathrow Hotel
– Set up a National Sales
Centre for “Jockey Club
Racecourses”
– Ran my own consultancy
business and event
management company
• Over 2 years working at
Business West

5. Business West

6. Business West is the 4th largest Chamber of Commerce in
England, employing over 180 staff with an annual turnover of
£20m and delivering over 30 business services.
We represent and work with over 16,000 businesses.

12. For more information on our services visit our website
www.businesswest.co.uk

13. Starting a
Business
Check List

14. Starting a Business
What kind of Business should I start?
How do I research my Business Idea?
Writing a Business Plan
How can I finance my Business?
Prepare – Business Training, Skills & Support
Getting the right people on board
Naming my Business

15. Starting a Business
Registering my Business
Setting up Shop
Marketing – website & social media
Getting Suppliers and Distributors on board
Get the nitty-gritty right
Almost ready to start selling
Start selling

16. 3 Key Areas

17. Business Plan
01 Keep it simple, clear and concise
include Marketing objectives and
financial forecasts (including
cashflow)
Finance
02 Get your finances in place from the
start, as lending bodies will want to
share the risk!
Action
03 Get on and do… don‟t over plan
or complicate, learn as you do
(make money as you learn!)

18. Ready for
Business
Programme

22. •Individuals at threat of redundancy
•Under 24’s (Graduates)

23. Why are we doing this?

24. Why are we doing this?
More people than ever want to start a business
9.8% of working age adults in UK expect to start a
business within the next 3 years.
More people are having to consider business
start-up
due to changes in life and work – „necessity-based
start-up‟ doubled between 2010 and 2011.
But getting access to finance is a real blocker
– it is frequently cited as by far the biggest barrier to
people starting a business.
And fear of failure is still strong:
41.4% of people who spot an opportunity say fear
holds them back.
Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, United Kingdom 2011 Monitoring Report

25. Why might this
matter to you?

26. Why might this matter to you?
Around half of all this years graduates will
struggle to find full-time jobs
If current employment trends continue
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Could you be the next Steve Jobs or Alan Sugar? Utilise
the support organisations to make this a reality.
Ready for Business are start-up specialists, and
we can help for FREE!
Our workshops help you to understand if your idea can
become a commercial venture.

27. How does it work ?

34. 3 ways to get started

35. 01 Attend a workshop
Tuesday 13th November 2012
Tuesday 11th December 2012
10.00am – 4.00pm
Barclays Bank, 3 Bedford Street. Exeter
Cost: Free of charge

36. 02 Speak to one of our
Advisors
We are happy to discuss your business
idea and signpost you to relevant
support partners.
(all conversations will be confidential)

37. 03 Support in getting
Funding
We are working with the Start-up Loan
Scheme (support for under 24‟s)
We can help you get a loan to start your
business

38. Main benefits

39. 01 Free to start and no
obligation to continue
02 National movement, with
networking opportunities
03 Improved chances of getting
bank funding to start up

40. 04 Personal, tailored support
through first year of business to
improve chances of success
05 Fast-Track to further business
support programmes like Starting
a High Growth Business and
UK Trade & Investments
Passport to Export
06 A FREE years membership of
Business West – tapping you
into our network of members

41. What next

42. Contact the team
Book yourself onto a FREE Workshop
See if self-employment is for you
Get advice
Speak to one of our advisors and see what steps are
best for you
Seeking Funding?
We can evaluate your position and get you access to
banks and programmes available to you

44. Tara Gillam
Project Manager – South West Delivery
T. 01275 376 233
E. readyforbusiness@businesswest.co.uk
W. www.businesswest.co.uk/readyfor business
www.startupedge.co.uk