Business Start-ups

Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, in association with

Greater Merseyside Enterprise (GME) Ltd, provides a comprehensive service for anyone who is thinking of Self Employment or starting a business.

The programme, known as 'Business Starts and Aftercare' is available throughout Halton and free to all clients

An outline structure of the programme is as follows.

Initial Interview

This initial stage consists of a one and a half hour session to assess the validity

of the business proposal and to agree a preferred course of action for the client.

Development of a Business Idea

Financial Assessments

The aim of these sessions, which are also conducted on a 1:1 basis with specialist Micro Business Advisors is to collect and collate sufficient cost data to allow meaningful forecasts to be produced for cash flow and trading accounts.

An assessment is also made of likely Start Up costs and how these will be funded.

Start Your Own Business Course

This course is run in conjunction with Halton College and is taught in group sessions with typically 8 - 12 clients attending. The course lasts for three full days and is

held at Moor Lane Business Centre, Widnes.

The agenda is as follows…

Day 1
Overview, Marketing Mix, Marketing Strategy and Selling Skills

Day 2
Business Terminology, Business Costs, Profit and Loss Accounts,

Break Even Analysis and Cash Flow Forecasting

Day 3
The Business Plan, Time Management, Customer Service and Achieving Success.

As with the other services offered by the Business Start and Aftercare programme,

the course is free of charge and is run on a monthly basis.

After attending the course, individuals can attend further 1:1 sessions with a

Business Advisor to refine their business plan.

2007 Schedule

To be confirmed

Business Start ups - Latest additions

For further information

on the Business Start and Aftercare programme

Please contact Diane Carroll at the Chamber

on 0151 423 6606 or e-mail dianec@haltonchamber.com