1.Preface

2.Thinking Through Your Idea
Gaining The Support Of Your Family; Do You Have The Skills Required To Run A Business?; What Sort Of Business Do You Want To Start?; How Will I Start My Business?; Investing In Your Own Business;

3.Complying With Legislation
A Word Of Warning To Start This Chapter; The Different Forms Of Business; Deciding On A Business Name; Protecting Your Business Ideas; Keeping The Inland Revenue Happy; Registering For Value Added Tax (Vat); Trading Laws That Might Affect Your Business;

4.Setting Objectives
Setting Smart Objectives; Having A Clear Mission Statement; Setting Marketing Objectives;

5.Defining Your Business Strategy
Strategic Analysis; Analysing The Environment Using A Peste Analysis; Strategic Choice; Strategic Implementation; Strategic Threats To Consider;

6.Obtaining The Right Support
Business Links; Enterprise Agencies; The British Chambers Of Commerce; The Federation Of Small Businesses; Shell Livewire; The Forum Of Private Business; Lawyers For Your Business;

7.Researching Market
Segmenting The Potential Market; The Importance Of Competitive Advantage; Using A Swot Analysis; Establishing Your Unique Selling Point; Defining Your Critical Success Factors;

8.Identifying Your Products
Using The Boston Consulting Group (Bcg) Matrix; The Product Life Cycle Concept; Using The Product Life Cycle For Product Development; Using The Ansoff Matrix To Consider Products And Markets; Targeting The Right Product Into The Right Market; Understanding

9.Setting The Right Price
How Important Is Price To The Consumer?; Selecting The Right Price For Your Products; Techniques For Fixing A Price; Using Price As An Effective Marketing Tool;

10.Employing New Staff
Recruitment And Selection; Your Responsibilities As An Employer; The Rights Of Your Employee; Dealing With Tax And National Insurance; Assessing The Performance Of Your Staff;

11.Being In The Right Place
Understanding The Importance Of Location; Establishing The Methods Of Distribution; Designing The Right Distribution System; Managing The Supply Chain Effectively;

12.Promoting Your Business
Understanding The Importance Of Promotion; The Marketing Promotion Mix; Evaluating Your Promotion Options; Using Promotion Methods To Achieve Objectives;

13.Using Professional Help
Choosing And Using An Accountant; Using The Services Of A Solicitor; Using A Consultant;

14.Compiling Financial Forecasts
The Cash Flow Forecast; The Profit And Loss Forecast; The Balance Sheet;

15.Looking At Grants And Subsidies
Applying For Grants; Knowing The Difficulties; Looking For Local Help;

16.Writing Your Busines Plan
Why Do I Need A Business Plan?; Where Do I Start?; Make Sure The Content Is Understandable; Use Fact Not Fiction; What To Include; What Not To Include; The Contents Of A Good Business Plan;

17.Raising Finance
Investing Your Own Money; Short-Term Finance; Long-Term Finance; Gaining Equity Finance;

18.Keeping Your Accounts
Why You Need To Keep Accounts; Balance Sheet; The Profit And Loss Account; Comparing Actual Performance With Your Forecasts; Computerising Your Accounts; The Benefits Of Computerising Your Accounts;

19.Looking At Franchising Options
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Franchise; Different Types Of Franchise; What Will The Franchise Offer?; The Cost Of The Franchise;

20.Buying An Existing Business
Undertaking A Personal Inspection Of The Business; Valuing The Business; Managing The Purchase Process; Financial Considerations;

21.Maintaining Quality Standards
What Exactly Is Quality?; Linking Quality To Your Objectives; Linking Quality To Competitive Advantage; Dealing With Complaints; Introducing A Quality Management System;

22.Exporting For The First Time
Why Should You Consider Exporting?; Identifying Export Opportunities; Starting To Export; Managing The Export Process; Arranging Insurance;

23.Dealing With Problems
Formulating Contingency Plans; Avoiding Disaster;

24.Staying Ahead Of The Competition
Using Market Intelligence; Retaining Competitive Advantage; Avoid Complacency At All Costs; Establishing A Management Information System; Updating Your Business Plan;

25.Using Technology In Your Business
Choosing A Computer System; Using The Internet;