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Business Plans- What Consultants Don’t tell You!
Copyright 2005 Empower Business Solutions Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are in a small minority. And if you have a plan, is it integral to your business, and instrumental to its growth? If the answer to this question is yes,...
Don’t Allow Yourself to Get Burned
I am not a big fisherman, but I do enjoy it whenever the opportunity comes my way. I have some friends who are fanatics and occasionally I will go out with one of them. They have nice boats and it makes for an enjoyable day. I like fishing from...
It's Time To Get All Strategic - Small Business Marketing Stategy
Copyright 2005 J D Moore So what's your small business marketing strategy? I'm willing to bet that close to 85% of the people reading this are scratching their heads now. Many small business owners fail to create a marketing strategy at all,...
Small Business Q & A: SWOT Analysis Is No Magic 8 Ball
Q: A key investor in my business has suggested that I hire a consultant to do a SWOT Analysis to help plan for the future. I try not to argue with my investors, but I'm not so sure I need to have this done. What do you think? -- Laurie B. A:...
The Role of the Business Model and Strategy for Business
People will always stress that having a well researched business plan is key before you start your business. Although creating a business plan is often an important step in the evolution of a business, particularly if you need financing or you...
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Home Business Grants
Depending on what kind of business you're planning to start, you
might be able to get a home business grant. These grants are
usually government-issued. They are, effectively, 'free money' -
as long as you use the money for what you say you're going to
use it for, you don't ever have to pay it back. Even if you
don't think you would qualify for anything, you might be able to
modify your business plan subtly so that you do.
Why Would They Do That?
The money is designed to encourage specific kinds of businesses
- it will always be given to you for a very specific purpose.
Also, grants almost never cover the full amount of whatever it
is you want to do, leaving you to make up the rest yourself.
Note that not all grants come from the government -- some are
given out by charities trying to further a cause, or by local
community organisations.
Areas commonly covered by grants include businesses that are
exporting (every government wants exports to be more than
imports), businesses that will provide training to their
employees, businesses that are doing useful research and
businesses that are providing services and jobs in places that
are candidates for 'regeneration'. You may also be able to find
extra support for environmentally-friendly businesses, and if
you're a woman or a member of an ethnic minority then that could
qualify you for a grant too.
Training Grants
Grants for training are some of the best ones out there -- if
you're planning to have any staff, you should really look into
them. Basically, you get a grant towards the cost of sending
some of your employees on a training course. This is good for
you, as you can train your employees more cheaply, and they'll
do a better job afterwards. It's good for them, as they learn
new skills or improve the ones they have and improve their
career prospects for the future. Finally, at least in theory,
it's good for the economy, as there will be a greater diversity
of skills available in the job market.
Research Grants
If your business is trying to solve a problem or develop an
invention, you might be eligible for a research grant. This can
be especially helpful for covering the costs of things
Associated Websites
like
patent applications. Watch out, though -- application for
research grants is some of the fiercest out there.
Location, Location, Location
Whatever kind of grant you're going for, the biggest factor in
whether you get it will probably be where you're based. Grants
tend to be locally-focused, and especially targeted in areas
that are deemed to have a lacking economy. Since you're a home
business, you might even find it worth researching what is
available in each area, and moving home strategically.
It's Hard to Get a Grant
Beware of anyone who makes grants look easy. There are all sorts
of 'grant agencies' who want to take a fee, and 'guarantee' that
they'll get you a grant. They won't - as with almost all things
like this, never pay up front. However tempting their offer
might seem, you should be applying for the grants yourself. This
will generally involve submitting your business plan plus a
letter of about 1,000 words saying why you should get the grant
in question -- you can't really use the same letter for each
grant. Pick what you apply for carefully, as it's a waste of
time to apply when you don't meet the criteria properly.
If you want to make sure you're applying correctly, the best
thing to do is to phone up the organisation offering the grant
-- they'll usually be eager to offer help and advice. Still,
don't be upset if you don't get chosen, as it might just be that
there were more qualifying candidates than there was money.
Other Benefits
Any grant you get is likely to bring you to the attention of
some kind of agency or organisation who want to help you in
other ways too. They might help you get onto courses if you're
lacking any business skills, or even provide a mentor to guide
you. You might think it all sounds a little silly, but believe
me, when you run a home business you need all the help you can
get.
About the author:
Original Source: Articles-Galore.com
Information supplied and written by Lee Asher of The Home Income Portal
Home of Serious Online Business Options.
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