smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

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Q: I'm looking to go on a training course to help me with various aspects of starting and running a business. Do you have any advice?

Aug 23 2005

Answered by: Philip Wilkinson Ask a question

Obviously the cost of the course will be a determining factor. Apart from that consideration, I would look to see if there is an opportunity to work towards a business plan and to present the plan to an outside party such as a bank manager. I would also like to know about the background of the trainers/lecturers.

The perfect person would be someone who had experience of running a small business, but had also acquired the legal and financial know-how necessary to understand general business principles. My final consideration would be to find out the background of other course participants. Networking is very important for small businesses in providing support for you and also creating business opportunities for you. I would like to know that my fellow attendees were serious about starting businesses and would provide the basis of a good discussion and support group.

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