All our workshops are presented by members of our business adviser team who have many years commercial business experience and are qualified business advisers.

This brand new series of workshops has been designed to meet the changing needs of our clients and to make use of the increasing use of computers.
They are all available FREE OF CHARGE to everyone registered on the Get Set or No-Limits business support programmes in Pennine Lancashire. Guests are welcome from other areas for a token cost of £10

Business Ideas

"Business Ideas" is a half-day workshop for people considering starting their own business. The presenter will start by helping you assess your own skills and experiences and suitability for the business world including taking a look at the sort of business you might start if you haven't already decided. It will introduce the key things to think about if you would like to start your own business including the legal formats of sole trader, partnerships and Limited Companies and what they mean to you. The workshop will also outline the support available through the Enterprise Trust by way of a structured programme of workshops and one-to-one advice sessions with a personal business adviser.

Market Research

One of the key elements that differentiates the successful business from the failures is the amount and quality of the market research carried out. This research highlights not only the sales assumptions that can be made for the business but also the quality of the competition and the costs of operating the business. To make sure that you are starting off from a position of strength this workshop is a must.

Business Planning

There are three excellent reasons to produce a business plan; the first is test the viability of the business idea - will it work, the second to find out how much money is going the be needed before the business is creating enough profits to ensure its survival, and finally to present to a lender or grant provider to be able to raise the capital needed.

This workshop builds on the market research done following one-to-one business advice or from the Market Research workshop to create the narrative - the words - of the business planning that will give a structure to the business and give you a sense of direction for the business.

Financial Planning

This workshop continues from the business planning workshop to add some numbers to the words. The workshop leader will introduce you to the world of cash flow forecasting and preparing budget profit and loss accounts. Not nearly as difficult as it may sound we will start with some simple cut down versions to try them out before moving on to full versions. We will even provide you with templates to work on at home on your computer until you feel that you have created a true picture of how your business will work.

Cash Analysis Bookkeeping

The Cash Analysis bookkeeping workshop has been developed from the very popular workshop that we have presented for many years but including some up-to-date thinking to make it easier for you. Advisers at the Enterprise Trust have even developed a spreadsheet equivalent of the popular cash analysis ledgers for you to use free of charge. These spreadsheets produce monthly management accounts and even offer the chance to reconcile your cash and bank statements against your bookkeeping system to minimise the chance of errors.

The following workshops will be presented according to demand please telephone for details

Computer BookKeeping

A two hour hands-on workshop using the lastest version of QuickBooks accounting software led by John Ball who has been a member of the QuickBooks Professional Adviser programme for many years. During the workshop you will set up a company on the laptop computer and, should you wish, be able to take the work away with you on disc. You will also take away an evaluation copy of the software to try at home or work. John will also demonstrate the key functions of the software including: ordering and stock control. estimating, invoicing, statements, VAT returns, financial reporting, forecasting and progress monitoring.

All Computer Bookkeeping Workshops run
from 1.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Successful Marketing

An intensive ninety minute workshop designed to give you a clear picture of many of the elements of the marketing mix so that you can consider the right methods to include in your business plan. The presenter will look at elements as diverse as leaflet drops, exhibitions, local radio and using video clips on DVDs.
This workshop is also an ideal refresher for established business owners.

All Successful Marketing workshops
run from 2.30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Direct Mail

An introduction to using direct mail successfully, this ninety minute workshop has been developed to provide a fast overview of the modern techniques that has made direct mail so effective. The presenter is an experienced user of Direct Mail and will be highlighting how new and growing businesses can use direct mail to win new customers and keep existing customers coming back for more.

All Direct Mail workshops run
from 2.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Build your own website

A half day hands-on workshop at the Enterprise Trust which will show show you how to build your own website using template models developed and hosted by an East Lancashire company.

When you leave the workshop you will, at least, have developed your home page, and maybe more, all of which will be hosted completely free of charge. Delegates should be familiar with using Windows and be able to access their email via the web. If you don't already have an email address you can get one free from www.yahoo.com, www.hotmail.com, www.google.com and many more.
Even if you don't have a computer you can set up this website and email address using the People's Network at your local library.

All Website workshops run
from 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

To book a place at any of the above workshops please telephone Danielle Darbyshire - Agency Administrator on 01254 844144