Starting Your Own Business

Are you starting your own business? Thinking about it but not sure how to progress? This course takes you through all of the paperwork and key tasks of starting a business. Think of this as a business in a box it tells you everything you need to know as well as developing your skills.

Course Objective

Starting Your Own Businesses are the backbone of the community and an essential part of any country’s economy. The ability of the Starting Your Own Business to cater for the individual needs of the customer, and relate to them on a personal level, is particularly important.
Anyone wishing to start up in business, whether on their own or with a partner or family member, will want to obtain the best possible training, to ensure that they are prepared for the difficulties and opportunities of their business venture.

This Starting Your Own Business course will provide you with a better understanding of the type of knowledge needed to operate a Starting Your Own Business in the most effective and efficient way.
The course concentrates on getting you to analyse your business opportunities and the environment you will be working in, so that you can work out how best to use the resources available to you.

Because the business environment, particularly in relation to the law, varies enormously from one country to another, you will often be invited to investigate how a principle explained in the course actually operates in your country - in this way you will come to understand both the theory and the practice.

The course assumes that you have a reasonable knowledge of English (specific business terms are explained in the Glossary) and the Tutor-marked Assignments may require basic mathematical skills. Otherwise, all you need to get started is a business idea!

Course Syllabus
Your course covers the following syllabus:

Unit One - Starting A Starting Your Own Business
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Think about the benefits and problems of starting a business Look at the practical aspects of setting up in business Look at the qualities you will need to succeed

Unit Two - Ways of Starting a Business
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Think about the legal aspects of setting up a business Look at the different possible ways of buying a existing business Consider franchise and multi-level marketing operations Understand the difference between multi-level marketing and pyramid selling Look at how best to protect and exploit an original invention

Unit Three - Recruiting Staff
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Know when you need to take on staff Consider the problems and advantages of working with people you know Understand the recruitment process Learn to write a Job Description and Person Specification Learn to select employees successfully by interview Know what to put in a contract

Unit Four - Dealing with Staff
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Determine appropriate pay rates and methods for staff Look at providing benefits Understand the importance of obeying the law on employment Consider the issues of discrimination and trade unions

Unit Five - Fraud and Theft
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Spot whether your business is vulnerable to fraud Prevent employees having the opportunity to commit fraud Set up financial controls Prevent theft of stock and equipment Protect intellectually property Promoting Your Business

Unit Six – Marketing
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Understand what is meant by marketing Analyse your market Understand market research procedures Develop, price and package your product Work out a marketing plan

Unit Seven – Advertising
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Know what advertising is Recognise different types of advertising Know the rules governing advertising

Unit Eight - The Business Plan
The aims of this unit are to enable you to:
Understand the role of business plan List several reasons for developing a Business plan Identify sources to get help in developing a business plan Identify the type of information to include a business plan Prepare an outline of a business plan
The course is divided into six self-contained units and students are asked to complete nine assignments which will be marked by your tutor. The overall grade from these assignments will lead to the awarding of your Diploma.

Is the Start Your Own Business course a recognised qualification?
Yes, this is an accredited qualification.

Do I get any support/help?
Yes with the course you will receive full tutor support by e-mail and post for the duration of the course.

How do I complete the assignments?
All assignments are to be typed up on a computer and either sent by e-mail or post to the tutor who will mark them and send them back to you. There is no word count for the assignments, however you do have to prove to the tutor that you have fully understood the question asked and one sentence answers will be rejected and you will have to re-submit it for marking.

What if I fail an assignment?
Not a problem, your tutor will explain where you have gone wrong and ask you to re-submit the assignment again.

How long do I have to complete the course?
You have up to a year to complete this course. To finish all the reading and assignments it will take in the region of 100 study hours which can be spread over a timescale to suit the student.