PROFIT FROM BUSINESS

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO
RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS

Who is it for?
Profit From Business is a comprehensive guide to running a small business aimed at anyone going into self-employment, operating a franchise or starting a company.  It is also ideal for proprietors of existing businesses looking to grow, increase profitability and improve performance.

What is it for?
The purpose of the guide is to provide practical information and guidance in an easy to use format that covers every aspect of running a small business. The guide provides a rich source of information to help you plan and undertake the range of tasks on which successful businesses depend. It also provides guidance on complying with business law and regulation.
It is also packed with practical tips, software and ideas to help your business run smoothly and leave you more time to deliver your product or service.
Through studying the guide you can also obtain a recognised National Award which demonstrates your ability to plan a business effectively.

Is the course accredited?
The guide leads to the award of the Introduction to self-employment National Award from ASET, a leading UK awarding body recognised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority.

How do I study?
The guide is designed for study by distance learning at work or at home, over a timescale which fits in around your other commitments.  You may start at any time and we provide support for a full one-year from registration.

If you wish to obtain the National Award which accompanies this guide, you will need to complete a single written assignment which shows how you plan to put your ideas into practice.

What does the pack include?
A detailed description of the pack’s contents is given below but briefly, you will receive:
Introduction to Self-employment – a guide to the key requirements for success in running your own business
Business Plan -  a template business plan with guidance to help you plan your business operations
Software CD ROM – a series of customisable spreadsheets to help track and record payments, produce delivery notes and invoices
Book-keeping book – a complete guide to the principles of book-keeping for the small business
Marketing Your Business Book – guide to marketing and winning more customers
Better Business Guide – factsheets covering over 60 aspects of good practice for businesses
Health & Safety – a copy of the Introduction to Health & Safety published by the Health & Safety Executive
No Nonsense Guide – a copy of the No Nonsense Guide to Business published by Business Link

How much does the guide cost?
The cost of the pack is £175 inclusive of printed study materials, Spreadsheets CD ROM, tutor support, assignment marking, ASET registration and accreditation.

Detailed Contents of the Guide
Introduction to Self-employment
• Skills & Barriers to self-employment
• Identifying a business idea
• Producing a business plan
• Legal aspects of self-employment
• Sources of information and help

Business Plan
A structured template enabling you to compose a business plan.

Software CD ROM
Customisable spreadsheets on CD ROM to help track your business finances:
• Business financial summary
• Sales ledger
• Purchase ledger
• Cash in and Cash out
• Cashflow forecast
• Start-up budget
• Sales records
• Profit & Loss
• Business Plan
• Delivery Note
• Invoice

Book-keeping book
• Book-keeping methods
• VAT
• Analysed cash books
• Sales and Purchase day books
• Filing records
• Bank reconciliations
• Single & double entry systems

Marketing Your Business Book
• Market research
• Identifying customers
• What do customers want?
• Why will customers buy from you?
• SWOT analyses
• Marketing plans

Better Business Guide
A series of over 60 factsheets covering good business practice and compliance with regulation:
• Consumer practice
• Employment practice
• Customer Care
• Quality Assurance
• Health & safety
• Financial propriety
• Sources of help and information

Registration
Registering you and your business for Income Tax, VAT and National Insurance

Health & Safety
HSE guide to Health & Safety in small businesses

No Nonsense Guide
Business Link guide to starting a small business