Search results
Business names for limited companies and LLPs
Register a company or partnership name, rules on choosing names and how to check a name is not trade marked.
Getting your business name on the internet
How to promote your business name on the internet, how to choose a suitable name and how to register your domain name.
Limited companies with a social purpose
Companies limited by shares or guarantee, registration and applying for charitable status
Community Interest Companies
The rules and procedures you must follow to become a community interest company
Planning for farm diversification
How to successfully plan the diversification of your farm through business planning, research, financing and marketing
Community Benefit Societies
Community benefit societies explained, including registration costs, asset locks and applying for charitable status
Social enterprise trusts
An overview of trusts, charitable trusts, the trust deed, asset locks and development trusts
Unincorporated associations
How to operate and organise an unincorporated association, and decide whether it suits your needs
Other sources of business finance
How you can source start-up finance from within your local community and how to access peer group lenders.
Better Business Finance
Impartial loan financing information and support to businesses and entrepreneurs looking to develop and grow.
Business plan executive summary - the dos and don’ts
Follow these executive summary dos and don'ts to create an engaging and persuasive executive summary.
Your business, its products and services
Outlining what your company does, what you can offer, the market needs you address and why your idea is viable.
Business plan: your team's skills
An analysis of your workforce - the structure, key skills of your team, training and recruitment plans.
Your business markets and competitors
Define your market, identify your target customers and main competitors and look to the future to anticipate change.
What a business plan should include
How to make a clear and simple plan for how your business will move through the startup and growth phases.
Business plan: marketing and sales
Sectors covering price, customers, your sales channels, distribution methods, promotional strategy and sales plan.
The audience for your business plan
Your business plan will need to be ready for an external audience to view if you're seeking finance or investment.
Succession planning in family businesses
How to balance family relationships and business needs to draw up a fair, effective and tax-efficient exit strategy.
Financial forecasts for your business plan
What to include in your business sales, cashflow and profit and loss forecasts, including financial forecast examples.
Tips for presenting your business plan
Tips for business plan presentation, such as appendices, proofreading and further advice and support.