Spring is the season of new beginnings, and what better time to start afresh and pursue your entrepreneurial ventures? Business Link in the East of England has just launched a new workshop programme for April-September 2010 aimed at start-up businesses, so those with ambitions of becoming self-employed can rest assured that advice is at hand every step of the way.

Business Link’s start up workshops offer expert guidance and impartial advice for entrepreneurs at a range of stages, from those simply thinking about taking the business plunge, to consideration of the necessary basics, to those in and beyond the start-up planning stages. Join the thousands who have already made use of this extensive service: in the past year, over 16,800 delegates have attended one or more of Business Link’s 1,850 start up workshops, and 3,000 business have been helped to get off the ground. And the best thing – all of the workshops are free.

The range of locations across Hertfordshire combined with the variety of workshops offered, means there really is something for everyone, be they a budding entrepreneur in Bishop’s Stortford, or self-employed in South Mimms. All workshops are presented by business professionals who take a hands-on approach in helping attendees to avoid the common mistakes that can blight entrepreneurs and the self-employed as they undertake business planning for themselves.

For former model Catherine Peck of St. Albans, the support of Business Link was hugely beneficial as she began planning, with her partner David Philippson, for the launch of Undercover Glamour – a business which shares with other women the trade secrets that help ‘glam up’ the glamorous. Making use of the comprehensive guidance provided by Business Link’s website, and the help of Adviser Kieran Thorpe, whilst nurturing her business ideas abroad in the French Alps, Catherine was able to benefit from a number of Business Link workshops and briefings on her return to the UK. The business has gone on to enjoy online success and David and Catherine have ambitious plans to continue the start-up success that has been supported by Business Link.

Pat Smith, Chief Executive of Business Link in the East of England, said, “We know that 81% of businesses that started with the help of Business Link survive beyond three years. This figure tops the national average by 15%.

“This new programme of workshops, supported by web, phone and online advice, enables prospective and early-stage entrepreneurs to get the help and support they need to turn their business ideas into a reality.”

Workshops to help turn business ideas into a reality focus upon nurturing the skills and creativity required:

Is it for me? - This workshop is aimed at those who are interested in the prospect of starting a business and working for themselves, and are therefore still involved in the initial decision-making process. If you need some advice in deciding whether taking the business plunge is for you, or what course of action is necessary, this is the workshop for you.

Getting the basics right – For those who find themselves at the next stage of business development, and would benefit from guidance in laying successful foundations, this workshop aims to instil the skills necessary to write a business plan.

There are also advisory workshops that are aimed at supporting those getting their business ideas off the ground:  Managing money and making a profit – Developing the financial skills necessary for running a successful business can be a daunting prospect, but this workshop exists to help businesses plan ahead, including introductions to the costs involved in starting a business and preparation of profit and loss accounts.

Finding and keeping customers – Understanding your market is crucial to successfully attracting and retaining custom, and this workshop aims to help develop an insight. Attendants can benefit from an introduction to the marketing and sales skills required when working on, and implementing, a marketing plan to generate and increase sales.

Running a successful business – This workshop will benefit new small business owners and proprietors who require guidance in growing the skills for both starting and maintaining the smooth running of a business.

For those focusing on high business growth, there are also further complementary workshops focusing on progressing with business ideas, guidance in buying a franchise, and tips on using the web in your business.

If you are thinking about, or are in the early stages of starting your own business, and would like to book a place on a Business Link workshop in your area, please visit www.bookevents.org where more information and online booking is available, or call the Events Booking Team on 0845 601 1000. The following tips, provided by Fiona Lascelles, a Business Link Enterprise Awareness Manager, may help anyone who is thinking of self-employment or starting up a business:

Working for Yourself – 10 top tips for success

1. Assess the viability of your business idea – being good at something isn’t necessarily a sound basis on which to start a business.

2. Research the market – your customers, your competitors and your business operations.

3. Prepare a business plan – a well thought out business plan should explain your objectives, priorities and strategies for at least the next one or two years.

4. Focus not on what you want to offer, but on what your customers want to buy - identify who you plan to sell to and build a customer profile detailing who they are and their habits.

5. Focus on one or two niche markets, be clear about what they want from you, and make sure you exceed their expectations. Trying to sell to too many types of customer is a common downfall.

6. Stand out from the crowd - identify exactly the benefits your product offers that customers can’t get elsewhere.

7. Do the maths. Before you start, put together a forecast of the income you expect to generate and all the costs you expect the business to incur. If your business needs to meet financial needs other than covering its costs, make sure your pricing will enable this.

8. Be realistic – getting money into your business can take longer than expected. Build a safety net into your business start-up budget.

9. Let people know you exist – use the most cost-effective media that is likely to be seen or heard by potential customers – easier if you already know ‘who’ your customers are.

10. Get help and support – starting and managing your own business will involve some tough challenges and difficult decisions. Use Business Link - that’s what we are there for.

If you would like to find out more about the free, professional and impartial advice provided by Business Link in the East of England to small and medium-sized enterprises at any stage, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/east, or speak to an experienced Adviser by calling 08457 17 16 15.

Click here to view the brochure online.