Search results
Finding a business idea when unemployed
Tips and resources to help you to find a successful business idea, concept, product or service to base your business on.
Naming your business as a sole trader
What you can and cannot name your company as a sole trader, including words you need permission to use
Naming your business partnership
What you can and cannot name your business partnership in the UK, including words you need permission to use
Setting up a business partnership
The steps you need to follow to create and set up a business partnership and details of how responsibility is shared
Writing a business plan: 5 top tips
Five key steps that can help you to prepare a successful business plan when you're starting a business.
Exporting to Great Britain
What you need to know about exporting to Great Britain, and how you can get help targeting this market.
Grow your business
Browse our key guidance to help you find growth funding in Northern Ireland, and learn how you can scale up your business and grow
Checklist: set up as a sole trader
A checklist of things you must do, and organisations you must make contact with, to set yourself up as a sole trader
Start a business from home
Guidance and practical tips on starting a home-based business and local support to help establish your home business
Business growth and premises
As your business grows and takes in more staff, you may need to assess your options for larger business premises
Business plan: dos and don’ts
A list of things you must do when creating your business plan and things you don't want to do in order to avoid mistakes.
Avoid problems during business growth
Common issues that businesses often face during growth, and tips for overcoming these difficulties through proper planning and management.
Business growth: market research
Use market research to drive business growth and innovation and to stay ahead of the competition
Business growth strategy and planning
Maximise the chances of business growth success by carefully planning your growth strategy
Business growth: developing skills
Developing effective leadership skills and making the most of other people's abilities can help you grow your business
Financial considerations when exporting
Understand how exporting could affect your cashflow.
Challenges of exporting
Challenges of exporting include market research, export paperwork and financing.
Decide your approach to importing
Keeping importing simple by dealing with experienced exporters in developed countries and using agents
Plan your import objectives
Setting goals and deciding your import objectives.
Negotiate the right import deal
Negotiating the right import terms, planning ahead and reaching a clear agreement.