First Step Marketing

For many people, the selection of equipment for their new business is both challenging and exciting. There is a real sense of progress being made and dreams becoming a reality. However, it is important not to become so focused on this aspect of starting your business that you neglect other, more important, aspects, such as starting to make sales. There is unfortunately a natural tendency to become engrossed in the selection, installation, and commissioning of new equipment — it is fun, under your control, and, as you are the customer, the sellers treat you well. It is easy to put off starting to trade because you tell yourself that you are not quite ready yet. Read the rest of this entry »

Most businesses require a trading licence (these are covered by the Licences Act). There are three types of licence — National Licences, Trading Licences and Occupational Licences.

There are also local variations, usually depending on municipal requirements, so you should check first with the Receiver of Revenue, and then with the zoning department of your local municipality. Read the rest of this entry »

There are several ways in which you may need to protect your interests by ensuring the exclusivity of your product.

PATENTS

In some instances, where you’ve invented a unique gadget or perhaps a tool, you should consider patenting your product. A patent would protect you from unfair and/or unlawful competition. Read the rest of this entry »

A growing number of women in particular are building highly successful ‘businesses’ through the selling opportunities offered by companies who market their products by the direct selling method. We’re all familiar with plastic kitchenware, underwear, household linens and make-up being marketed very successfully on the home party or home demonstration system. Read the rest of this entry »

This is a popular way to get into business and can be highly successful, as it shortcuts much of the difficult start-up process. Businesses are sold by word of mouth, and advertised in local newspapers and specialist publications. Shop sales are also handled by business transfer agents. Read the rest of this entry »

In franchising, you copy someone else’s business, with their full approval and support, under a licence agreement called a franchise. In this the franchise-giver (the franchisor) allows you to use their trade name, provides training and back-up, and gives their expertise with all its benefits. In exchange, you as the franchisee have to pay the franchisor an initial fee, then ongoing royalties. The major advantage of this method is that you get into business more quickly and possibly with less risk. Read the rest of this entry »

Planning permission

The first area to consider is planning permission. The planning legislation basically divides properties into those which can be used for commercial purposes, and those which are purely domestic. Planning authorities are obliged to prevent residential areas being infiltrated by offices and factories, and so legislation ensures that a house which has been used for domestic purposes cannot be used for commercial gain without planning permission. In most cases such permission will not be given, simply because the local authority’s aim is to keep areas of housing and business as separate as possible. Read the rest of this entry »

Your home is going to be your business base, so it is important that it should provide the facilities you need for the business you intend to start. For example, if you intend running a furniture- making business you might find difficulty operating from a twentieth-floor studio flat, although a writer could happily work in such an environment. You must analyse all the features of your home which could be an advantage and those which could hamper your work. Start by answering the following questionnaire so that you have the basic facts about your home in front of you. Read the rest of this entry »

By now, you should have got the general idea that starting a home-based business is about more than coming up with a useful idea and setting off into the land of millionaires! You need to consider every aspect of your life and analyse whether or not self-employment would fit into your way of life without causing too many problems. One area which can often be forgotten concerns dealings with other people. Read the rest of this entry »

Consultancy is a very popular way of running your own business. But consultancy in any field requires you to have a depth of knowledge and experience which your customers do not possess. It is no good setting up a home-based consultancy business if your customers know more than you! You will require a thorough knowledge of your chosen field, so setting up a consultancy service is best performed by people who have been employed in a particular speciality for some time. It could suit you if you are contemplating early retirement, for example. Read the rest of this entry »