One Person Business by Morton, Clive -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Copyright Contents Preface 1 Starting a service-based business

Understanding the common ground in all one person businesses Professional services Management services Personal services Product-based services

2 The advantages of self-employment

Using your skills to provide a personal service Planning your business to mitigate risk Charging for your services Considering other benefits of self-employment

3 Understanding yourself and your aspirations

Dealing with the public Selling your service or product Setting realistic goals Believing in yourself Thinking about numbers

4 Defining your market

Services to the public Think hard about where the business is coming from before you commit Specialist businesses and internet The nature of the buying decision

5 Studying competition

Services to the public Pricing Time and how you use it Keeping an eye on competitors Services to industry Study how the product or service is sold

6 Specifying your product or service

Analysis of the factors Setting objectives Skilled trades Personal services Professional services Services to commercial undertakings Agency, general trading, internet and mail order

7 A different approach for creative ideas

Bringing creative ideas to market

8 Marketing

Skilled trades Personal services Professional services Services to industry Sales agents General trading, internet and mail order Creative people Inventors

9 Pricing your product or service

Skilled trades Personal services Professional services Management services General trading, internet and mail order Agents Creative people

10 Calculating risk and breakeven

What to do if you do not get an order for six months Trade services to the public Personal services Professional services Management services to industry Internet trading, mail order, etc. Agents Creative occupations

11 Using other services and professionals

Tradesmen Personal services Professional services Management services Selling via the internet, mail order, etc. Sales agents Creative people Dealing with banks

12 A basic understanding of commercial law

Contract law Sale of goods

13 Tax implications and structuring

Record keeping Operating through a limited company Value added tax (VAT)

14 Employing staff

Your own role in the business The job description Job advertisement The job interview Contract of employment Affirmation of the contract

15 Acquiring or renting property

A lease Sub-tenancies Licences Other

16 Expansion problems

Know yourself

Index