The Small Business Toolkit
The Small Business Toolkit is a published book that normally resells for £16.95 but you can access it for free above and read online or download as a PDF. It is a collection of articles for the small business owner – to help improve and enhance the success of any small business looking to grow.
This book intends to provide a reference across all pillars of business:
Strategy ~ Finance ~ Sales ~ Marketing ~ Operations ~ Resources ~ Personal
....to help small businesses be better at what they do and not make the same mistakes that a lot of other businesses make. It’s aimed at any small business owner who doesn’t have all the answers to be successful. So that’s you and every other business owner - right?
With over 230 pages, this book has the following content with each chapter being written by a local business owner; recognised as an expert in their field:
Section 1 - Strategy
- Creating a strategy for your business
- Setting up your business for exit
Section 2 - Finance
- Managing cash flow in your business
- Essential tips for credit control
- Raising finance - different sources of funding
- Reducing costs in your business
- Tax Planning in its simplest form
- Money matters for business and life
Section 3 - Sales
- Understanding the basics of sales
- Closing the deal
Section 4 - Marketing
- How to put together a marketing strategy
- Harness the power of your network
- The importance of a CRM system and how to choose one
- Designing the perfect marketing material
- Is branding important for your business?
- Is social media worth it?
- Getting the most out of your website
- Writing winning words for your website
- Choosing the right print partner - what to consider
Section 5 - Operations & Resources
- Managing your data effectively
- The basics of IT security
- Outsourcing - yes or no?
- How can software improve your efficiency and performance?
- Protecting you and your business
Section 6 - Personal
- Managing your stress and anxiety
- Goal setting (and achieving) – the key to success in business
This is a small enough networking group to feel like a community but big enough to have a good variety of different business types and sizes. Love the meeting structure (with a difference) which gives the chance to discuss as a whole group and share ideas rather than just speaking to the people sitting next to you. Can't recommend it more highly to anyone running their own business.
Margot Clarke - Margot Clarke Consultancy
I really enjoy the BusComm meetings, the format works quite well and the atmosphere is very friendly, most importantly it is not too scary even when you are new to networking. I have got enough support from BusComm members, number of clients and valuable business contacts.
Ashish Kumar - Web Alliance
Having just started networking I realise what great opportunities there are in the local area and get to meet some very interesting people and businesses.
I'm very positive that given time the fruits of my effort will pay off, so keeping my fingers crossed.
In any case, The Business Community is a very welcoming environment and not the stuffy corporate atmosphere I used to in my past life.
Geraint Williams - Fourwinds Photography Services
Networking is my primary route to market for my business. The Business Community provides a valuable part of my networking strategy and has a great welcoming and interesting forum for like-minded business professionals.
Simon Evans - WPA
