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Cobweb 'Unplugged' - Starting a business
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Business risks, fibs and failure (16
Feb
2012)
Starting and running a business is all about facing up to a multitude of risks and realities. And one of the biggest realities is that if your business fails it is pointless blaming your bank, your employees, your competitors or anyone else, because at the end of the day the blame will lie solely with you... read more
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Small business gaps, edges and little steps (09
Feb
2012)
Conventional thinking (and often advice) given to prospective new start ups is to find or create a business idea (or product) first and then work out who you are going to sell it to. The problem with this approach is that more often than not it will result in novice business owners wasting their time, effort and money in creating a product, service or business idea that nobody wants... read more
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Business start up 'micro-empires' (02
Feb
2012)
What do photographers, cleaners, eBay traders, cafes, consultants, hairdressers, cake makers and gardeners have in common? The answer is that they all feature in the top 20 list of types of business start ups around the UK during 2011... read more
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Nightmares and sugar-coated enterprise (26
Jan
2012)
Currently large numbers of business owners are finding trading conditions very tough with many looking to get out of business and return to employment, while many others are scaling down their enterprise and seeking part-time work to supplement their income. At the same time Government are encouraging more people to start up in business with the launch of a new campaign... read more
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Enterprise in disguise and reluctant entrepreneurship (19
Jan
2012)
According to official figures there are 4.14 million people in self-employment (about 14% of total employment) and latest statistics available show that self employment was 300,000 higher in spring 2010 than at the start of the recession in 2008 - a rise of about 8%. However a report by the CIPD suggests that these figures don't tell the whole story... read more
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The enterprise graveyard - Part 2 (12
Jan
2012)
Our lead article last week presented a rather controversial argument which raised questions about 2012 being held up by Government and others as the 'year for enterprise', and whether it makes sense to encourage more start ups, especially now there is so little genuine local business support available... read more
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2012 and the enterprise graveyard (05
Jan
2012)
Is it right to encourage the start up of more hairdressers, shops and freelancers to add to the struggling hairdressers, shops and freelancers who are already scraping the barrel in terms of finding demand from customers with spare disposable income for their already widely available products and services - especially following the near wipeout of practical, face-to-face support?... read more
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The Business Plan Valley of Death (15
Dec
2011)
Depending on whom you are talking to or dealing with, there will be many different factors to consider when preparing your business plan. However, whatever the reason, situation or purpose for your plan here are seven real-world principles you should stick to in order to avoid entering the business plan 'valley of death'... read more
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Three small business success factors (08
Dec
2011)
There are three particular aspects of running a business which, when approached properly, are frequently acknowledged as being important factors that contribute to success. Those three factors are prioritisation, accountability and planning... read more
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Rocket science and the small business owner (01
Dec
2011)
It doesn't matter how good your product is - or how good you are at what you do - if you can't persuade people to buy from you. Failing to grasp this principle can be deadly in the small business world, and is a big reason why so many small firms fail so quickly after they start up... read more
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TODAY: 23 February 2012
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