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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.
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
Avoid sales forecast pitfalls
The key things to avoid when drawing up a sales forecast including wishful thinking, not making it achievable and moving goalposts
Start a sales forecasts
How to use last year's sales as a starting point for your forecast of next year's sales to help manage your business more effectively.
Sales forecast assumptions
How to build expected changes in your business relating to factors such as your products and your market into a sales forecast.
Developing your sales forecast
How to improve the accuracy of your forecast by breaking down your sales figures into smaller categories such as by product, market, region or customer.
Create a sales plan from a sales forecast
Advice on how to achieve your sales objectives by creating a sales plan including your focus, the necessary changes, the steps involved and your target markets.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance
The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard is applicable to any organisation that stores, transmits or processes cardholder information.
Advantages and disadvantages of using a payment-processing company
Using payment-processing companies to handle online card transactions has advantages, but it is also worthwhile to consider the disadvantages.
Advantages and disadvantages of selling through online marketplaces
Using an online marketplace for your business has many advantages, but it is also worthwhile to consider the disadvantages.
Checklist: applying for an internet merchant account
The requirements you will need to satisfy when applying to a bank for an internet merchant account.
Start a business from home
Guidance and practical tips on starting a home-based business and local support to help establish your home business
How bankruptcy petitions work
How to issue a bankruptcy petition
Choosing the right legal route for your debt claim
Differences between the small claims track and the high court
Winding up and bankruptcy petitions
How to issue a petition to close the business or enforce a judgment if your customer does not pay you
Using solicitors and debt recovery agents
In certain cases when collecting money owed to you it may be sensible to seek professional help
Issuing your debt claim
The forms and evidence you will need to issue a claim for payment
What happens after your debt claim has been served
Court procedures after your claim has been issued, and what the defendant's and your options are
What happens if your debt claim is contested
The procedures if a defence is entered and the case proceeds to a court hearing or trial
Recovering interest on unpaid debts
The types of interest you can charge on unpaid debts and whether you are entitled to claim them back in court