How To Start Your Own Business

Category:

Lifelong Learning, University Undergraduate Degree Pathway Program Courses

People often dream about starting their own business but don’t fully realise the implications of what this involves. Given the back-drop that nearly a half of all businesses fail in their first year, it is critical that you have all the knowledge at your disposal to make an informed decision about whether running a business is right for you.

This is an introductory course for anyone who has recently set up a small or micro-business, or for anyone who is considering setting up a small or micro-business, or is considering self-employment as a career option. As such, this Course considers the key elements and issues that you need to think about and explore.

This course will allow you to:

Learn key steps to increase your chances of success and minimise risk.
Understand how to market your business, identifying competition, pricing and branding strategies
How to handle and recruit staff and administrative issues.

Course Overview

Course Duration

Students can enrol onto this course at anytime. There is approximately 100 hours worth of learning material included. Students will have access to the study material for five years.

Assessment

This course is assessed by a series of self assessment exercises.

Unit Summary

This course is made up of 5 units, which cover a range of subject areas, please see below for more information:

Unit 1 Thinking of Starting a Business

The problems and potential of small-business start-up
Sources of information
Why start a business
Personal skills
The realities of starting a business
Success v Failure
Your Business Idea
Am I suited to running a business
People and Roles
Business start-up expenses
Sources of Money
Finding Premises
Financial Issues
Legal Issues
Practical Issues

Unit 2 Finance for Business Start Up

Looking after your money
Budgeting for personal survival
Financial Responsibilities
Common causes of financial failure
Financial Control
Expenses
Employing Staff
Pricing
Cash Flow
Profit and Loss account
Balance Sheet
Performance Ratios
Credit Terms

Unit 3 Marketing for Business Start Up

What marketing is
Definitions of Marketing
Marketing in Practice
Understanding Customer Needs and Wants
Using Marketing Strategy
The 7Ps of Marketing
Turning Prospects into Customers
Types of Marketing Message
Writing Marketing Material
Websites
Newsletter Marketing
The Marketing Plan
Classic Marketing Mistakes

Unit 4 Business Planning for Business Start Up

Purpose of a Business Plan
Demands and Limitations of Business Planning
Basic Aspects of Business Planning
Business Plan Format
The Executive Summary
The Business
SWOT Analysis
Products and Services
Marketing
Financials
Business Planning Top Tips

Unit 5 Communicating for Success in Business.

Networking
Defining Communication
The Communication Cycle
Noise
Barriers to Communication
Spoken Word – General Considerations
Written Word – General Considerations
First Impressions
Non-Verbal Behaviour
Active Listening
Written Communication
Email Etiquette
Writing Marketing Copy for Your Business

Course Fees

The fee for enroling onto this course is £1,299.

Students can make payment using one of the following methods:

Credit or Debit Card
Bank Transfer
Interest Free Monthly Installments
Paypal
Western Union

What is included in the Cost of my Course?

All Course Materials, including online modules and written assignments.
Personal tutor support with 1-2-1 Skype sessions
Dedicated student support.
Access to an online Social Learning forum.
Assignment marking and feedback.
FREE NUS Extra card worth £12.00.
Free CV Writing help on completion of the course.

Am I Eligible For This Programme?

This course is most suited to individuals who are at least 16 years old, and have an interest in setting up a new business.