At Start Up Now, we provide practical, tailored solutions to support aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs every step of the way. Our programmes are designed to address the real challenges faced by individuals starting or growing a business.
The process of setting up a company in the UK
Providing consultancy and support for the legal registration of companies
Training on legal and administrative requirements
Module 1: Introduction to Setting Up a Company
Types of Companies: Overview of different business structures (e.g., Sole Trader, Partnership, Limited Company). Advantages and Disadvantages: Analysis of each business structure
Module 2: Business Planning
Writing a Business Plan: Essential elements of a business plan (business description, market analysis, marketing plan, financial plan)
Determining Financial Requirements: Estimating initial costs and sources of funding
Module 3: Company Registration
Registration Process: Steps necessary for registering a company with Companies House
Choosing a company name
Checking name availability
Preparing documents (Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association)
Necessary Forms and Documents: Key forms and how to complete them.
Module 4: Legal and Administrative Requirements
Obtaining a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR): Process for obtaining a UTR from HMRC
Registering for VAT (if applicable): When and how to register for VAT
Accounting and Taxes: Guide to maintaining accurate accounting records and reporting taxes
Module 5: Support and Consultancy
Resources and Support: Organisations and government agencies offering support for new companies (e.g., GOV.UK, British Business Bank)
Personalised Consultancy: How to find and choose a business consultant or mentor
Module 6: Business Management and Development
Growth Strategies: Ideas and strategies for business development
Marketing and Advertising: Effective marketing and advertising techniques to attract customers
Human Resource Management: Hiring staff and managing a team
Additional Resources
Guides and Templates: Links to useful resources, PDF guides, and document templates
Webinars and Seminars: Information on networking events and additional training sessions
Module 1: Introduction to Product and Service Development
Concept of Product and Service Development: Definitions and importance
Product Lifecycle: Stages of product development from idea to launch and post-launch
Module 2: Market Research and Analysis
Market Research: Methods of market research (surveys, focus groups, competitive analysis)
Identifying Customer Needs: Techniques for understanding consumer requirements and preferences
SWOT Analysis: Evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
Module 3: Product and Service Development Strategies
Idea Generation: Brainstorming and innovation techniques
Concept Development: Creating an attractive and viable product/service concept
Prototyping and Testing: Methods for creating prototypes and testing them with the target audience
Module 4: Workshops for Business Strategy Development
Pricing Strategies: Setting prices for products and services
Marketing Strategies: Planning and implementing marketing campaigns
Distribution Channels: Choosing the most effective distribution channels for your product/service
Module 5: Efficient Resource Management
Project Management: Techniques and tools for managing development projects efficiently
Resource Allocation: Planning and allocating human, financial, and material resources
Process Optimisation: Methods for improving operational efficiency
Module 6: Launching and Monitoring Products and Services
Launch Plan: Steps for launching a product or service to the market
Performance Monitoring: KPIs and methods for evaluating success
Continuous Improvement: How to collect feedback and continuously improve the product/service
Module 7: Consultancy and Support
Resources and Support: Organisations and government agencies offering support for product and service development (e.g., Innovate UK, Business Growth Hub)
Personalised Consultancy: How to find and choose a consultant or mentor for business development
Digital and traditional marketing techniques
Providing advertising and public relations strategies
Module 1: Introduction to Business Promoting
Importance of Promotion: Why promotion is essential for business success
Differences Between Digital and Traditional Marketing: Advantages and disadvantages of each approach
Module 2: Digital Marketing
Website and SEO: How to create and optimise a website for search engines
Content Marketing: Creating relevant and valuable content to attract and engage customers
Email Marketing: Techniques for building and maintaining an effective email list
Social Media Marketing: Using social media platforms to build a community and increase brand visibility
Online Advertising: Using Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and other online advertising platforms
Module 3: Traditional Marketing
Offline Advertising: Ads in newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV
Promotional Materials: Flyers, brochures, and other printed materials
Events and Trade Shows: Organising and participating in events and trade shows to promote the business
Module 4: Advertising Strategies
Advertising Campaigns: Planning and executing effective advertising campaigns
Budgeting for Advertising: Setting a budget and allocating resources for different advertising channels
Evaluating and Optimising Campaigns: Monitoring campaign performance and adjusting strategies
Module 5: Public Relations
Building the Brand Image: How to create and maintain a positive brand image
Media Communication: Techniques for writing and distributing press releases
Crisis Management: How to handle crisis situations and protect the business's reputation
Module 6: Practical Workshops
Creating a Marketing Campaign: Practical exercises for developing a marketing campaign from scratch
Case Studies: Analysis of real-world examples of successful business promotions
Feedback and Improvement: Feedback sessions to improve participants' marketing strategies
Module 7: Consultancy and Support
Resources and Support: Organisations and agencies offering support for business promotion (e.g., Chartered Institute of Marketing, PRCA)
Personalised Consultancy: How to find and choose a consultant.
Understanding branding and visual identity concepts
Providing training for developing a coherent and attractive image
Module 1: Introduction to Branding
Defining Branding: What branding is and why it is important for a business
Elements of a Brand: Name, logo, slogan, colours, fonts, tone of voice
Module 2: Market Research and Analysis
Market Research: Identifying the target market and competition
Competitor Analysis: Evaluating competitors' strengths and weaknesses
Identifying the USP: Defining Unique Selling Points (USP)
Module 3: Developing Visual Identity
Creating a Logo: Principles and practices for designing an effective logo
Colour Palette: Choosing and using colours to communicate the brand's message
Typography: Selecting fonts and using them in branding materials
Style Guide: Creating a style guide to ensure visual consistency
Module 4: Message and Tone of Voice
Developing the Brand Message: Creating a clear and coherent message that communicates the brand's values and mission
Tone of Voice: Establishing the tone and style of communication for different channels (social media, website, advertising)
Module 5: Implementing and Promoting the Brand
Branding Materials: Creating business cards, brochures, and other promotional materials
Online Presence: Building and maintaining a website and social media profiles
Promotion Strategies: Using advertising, public relations, and marketing to increase brand awareness
Module 6: Practical Workshops
Creating a Logo and Visual Identity: Practical exercises for developing the visual elements of a brand
Developing the Message and Tone of Voice: Exercises for defining and refining the brand message
Case Study: Analysis of successful brands and applicable lessons
Module 7: Consultancy and Support
Resources and Support: Organisations and agencies providing support for brand development (e.g., Chartered Institute of Marketing)
Personalised Consultancy: How to find and choose a branding consultant or mentor
The process of creating and managing a professional website
Providing training for website development and maintenance
Technical assistance and IT support
Training in search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques
Module 1: Introduction to Creating a Website
Importance of a Professional Website: Why having a well-crafted website is essential
Types of Websites: Blogs, e-commerce sites, portfolios, corporate sites
Module 2: Website Planning
Setting Website Goals: What you want to achieve with your website
Website Structure: Planning the structure and navigation (sitemap)
Design and UX (User Experience): Principles of design and user experience
Module 3: Website Development
Choosing a Platform: Overview of major platforms (WordPress, Wix, Shopify, etc.)
Domains and Hosting: How to choose and register a domain, selecting a hosting service
Installation and Configuration: Steps for installing and configuring the chosen platform
Module 4: Website Management
Content Management: How to create and manage pages, posts, and other types of content
Updates and Maintenance: Importance of updating the platform and plugins
Website Security: Security measures to protect your website from attacks
Module 5: Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Introduction to SEO: What SEO is and why it matters
Keyword Research: How to find and choose the right keywords for your website
On-Page Optimisation: Techniques for optimising titles, meta descriptions, URLs, and content
Off-Page Optimisation: Importance of backlinks and mentions on other sites
Technical SEO: Optimising page loading speed, proper use of structured data, and sitemaps
Module 6: Technical Assistance and IT Support
Troubleshooting Common Issues: Guide for diagnosing and solving technical problems
IT Support: How to get technical support and collaborate with support teams
Additional Resources: Forums, communities, and online resources for troubleshooting
Module 7: Practical Workshops
Building a Website from Scratch: Practical exercises for creating a complete website
SEO Optimisation: Practical examples of SEO optimisation for website pages
Case Studies: Analysis of real-world successful websites
Module 8: Ongoing Consultancy and Support
Resources and Support: Organisations and agencies providing support for website development and management
Personalised Consultancy: How to find and choose a consultant