Your Beautiful Business - Start Up 101 ONLINE (UC15F74E)

An introductory course for anyone who has recently set up or is thinking of setting up a small business. Develop the skills to help drive your business forward, ensure industry compliance and encourage personal progression.

Course overview

An introductory course for anyone who has recently set up or is thinking of setting up a small business. Develop the skills to help drive your business forward, ensure industry compliance and encourage personal progression.

At enrolment you should receive a snapshot business plan questionnaire (or a link to the word document in your email). Please take some time to fill out as much of the plan as you can. It will help let the tutor get a 'snapshot' of where you are at and help you to get the most out of the course. The answers should only be one or two sentences long.
When you have completed the document please email or post it back to ACRES before the start of the course or bring a print out to the first session.

Where This is an online course.
When Monday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm from 1st June 2020 until 6th July 2020 for 6 weeks.
Cost The full fee is £75.00. The concessionary fee is £40.00.

During the course

This is an online course which will be taught in real time using a video platform (usually Google Meet), supported by other online resources. To ensure you get the most out of the course and can fully participate in the sessions you will interact with your tutor and other students through speaking, listening and the chat function, as well as being able to see each other via the video links, though you can turn off your camera and microphone at any time. You will therefore need to have access to either a laptop, computer or portable device (eg tablet or phone) (this ideally needs to be less than 5 years old), with a camera / webcam and microphone, as well as a good broadband / Wi-Fi connection.

Though not a prerequisite, we would advise that you create a separate email account for your online learning prior to the start of the course and let the ACRES' Office and your tutor know the address. This will be more secure and also allow you to share your email address with other students on the course to enhance your learning experience, without disclosing your personal information.

Please note that this course has been converted from the previously advertised classroom based
course and whilst we will endeavour to deliver the subject as outlined in the Course Information Sheet content may need to be adapted or changed to ensure you receive the best possible learning experience. Your tutor will give you further details and information, including any resources or equipment you need, prior to the start of the course.

You will be sent more information about your course, including how to join your online sessions, in due course.

What you already need to know

This course is open to all those that have a passion but don't know where to start or for people in the first year of setting up their own business and are still wanting to learn the basics.

Please note participants will need to have basic computer skills and be confident using the internet.

We would also request that you have a Google Account or set one up before the start of the course. This will enable the tutor to share Google documents with you during the course. Temporary ACRES Google Accounts will be available for the duration of the course but these will be deleted at the end of the course so a personal Google Account would be beneficial.

What you will learn

How to
- Create a business plan
- Plan a financial forecast and product/service costing
- Develop a marketing strategy
- Understand your customers and market
- Understand industry compliance and basic Bookkeeping
- Have professionalism
- Work and home life balance including planning and time management

How you will learn it

You will be taught using a variety of methods, including group work, lecture, quizzes and games, discussion, question and answer, e-learning and demonstrations to name but a few.

Each student will be working towards individual goals so that they can develop the skills and knowledge they most need to succeed. All this in a fun and relaxed environment.

Bring to the first session

- Print out of completed snapshot business plan if not already returned/emailed to ACRES
- A ring binder folder with 10 section dividers for storing handouts and work
- Note pad and pen
- USB stick

Ideally, you will have access to a computer at home (This will help you complete certain tasks at home and pull information together.)
Access to a printer may also prove helpful but is not compulsory.

Extra study or practice

Additional work at home is not compulsory but if it is possible to complete the tasks set between classes then it will only help to consolidate knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in class and build up your final business plan.

How to enrol

You can enrol by phoning ACRES' House on 01825 761820 on Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Alternatively, to register your interest in a course please email adultlearning@acres.org.uk with the course title and your contact details and a member of the team will call you back to enrol you on your chosen course.

Previous students say

This is a new course to ACRES.

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

ACRES hope to offer more Business Support courses in the future subject to demand. Please check our website and brochure for further details of courses in the future.

Future steps beyond ACRES

Find out about other courses with the National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.

Further information

For details of ACRES courses, please speak to your tutor, visit the ACRES website at www.acreslearning.org.uk, consult our latest brochure, or alternatively speak to a member of the team at the office in Uckfield on 01825 761820.