Free Business Support

Croydon Enterprise is running a series of free workshops to support local people who want to start or grow their own business, develop their skills or find a new career.

From practical one-to-one support for the complete novice through to funding, skills programmes and premises advice, it offers guidance every step of the way and most of its services are provided free of charge.

Ideas into Business - 04/08/2009
7 - 9pm

For pre-start businesses run by under 25s. The event will focus on motivating people to be thinking about business as an option for economic development. Generate an idea, develop your idea and get your idea to make money.

PJ's Community Centre
Parchmore Place
1-6 The Mews
92a Parchmore Road
Thornton Heath
CR7 8LX

So you want to run a business? - 07/08/2009
10am - 3pm

This workshop will give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to the next stage of developing your idea, finding out if there is a market for it, which your competitors are, how much to charge, how to advertise and where to get initial funding to get your business off your ground.

Board room
5th Floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Paying your employees - 10/08/2009 
10 - 3pm

In this workshop you will learn how to work out your employees' tax and National Insurance using the CD Rom what records you need to keep, online filing and where to go for further help.

5th floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Online Resources for Business - 10/08/2009
6 - 8pm

Find out how to use the following Online Resources for Business packages to research business plans and business growth opportunities: Cobra - Complete Business Reference Adviser * BOPs - Business Opportunity Profiles * British Standards - Best practice solutions * FAME

Central Library
Croydon Clocktower
Croydon
CR9 1ET

Business plan writing - practical workshop - 13/08/2009
9.30am - 3pm

This workshop will help you to write up a comprehensive business plan. Visual media, hand outs and completed business plans will be used to aid learning.

Board room Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Business Etiquette: How your behaviour can affect your business - 20/08/2009
10am - 3pm

This workshop will ensure your manners and behaviour in dealing with your clients can lead to repeat sales, and how you relate to others can result in excellent customer/relationships. This workshop will cover Time Management, Customer Service, Communication and First Impressions.

Board room Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Marketing - 25/08/2009
10am - 2pm

This event is for those who have not yet started their business. It aims to equip you with a clear understanding of how to apply 'Marketing' best practice in your business activities, in order that you can maximize it's potential and achieve early success with your business idea.

Board room
5th floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Becoming self-employed - 07/09/2009
10am - 1pm

A HMRC advice team member will explain how to register to pay your tax and National Insurance and what records you need to keep.

Board room
5th floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Before you begin - 09/09/2009
10am - 3pm

This workshop is aimed at people who would like to explore what is involved in Self Employment/Starting a Business.

St Mildreds Church
Bingham Road
Addiscombe
CR0 7EB

10/09/2009 - What's stopping you now?
Time to be confirmed

This interactive workshop will provide assistance and motivational support to people, especially those who plan to start a business working from home. Including essential things to do before you start, Getting ready to Trade, Basic business systems such as book-keeping, organisation and IT, action planning to start-up.

Venue to be confirmed

How to register for VAT - 15/09/2009
10.30am - 1.30pm

A HMRC team member will explain how to register for VAT, what requirements there are and what records you need to keep.

Board room Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Start your Business Part 1 - 16/09/2009
10am - 3pm

These 4 workshops over 4 Wednesday's will cover all the areas of a business plan. The areas covered will include setting up your business, what form of business do you have, reasons to expect success, type of marketing research, designing a questionnaire and how to ask the correct questions.

St Mildreds Church
Bingham Road
Addiscombe
CR0 7EB

Sources of finance for your business - 17/09/2009
10am - 1pm

This seminar is designed to help people starting their own business, or those already in business. Topics covered include Cash Control and the Working Capital Cycle, Banks and Building Societies, Grants, Leasing and HP, Business Angels and the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme.

5th floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

Self assessment for the self-employed - 21/09/2009
10am - 1pm

Self assessments can be boring and confusing so why not join us for this workshop,  showing you how to complete your SA return, what expenses you can claim,  the deadline you need to meet and how to pay your tax.

Board room
5th floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE
 
Paying your employees - 28/09/2009
10am - 3pm

In this workshop you will learn how to work out your employees' tax and National Insurance using the CD Rom, what records you need to keep, online filing and where to go for further help.

Board Room
5th floor Park House
22 Park Street
Croydon
CR0 1YE

To book, please call the Business Hotline on 020 8680 6161