This book is from the Sunday Times Business
Enterprise Guide series. It is indispensable reading for anyone
considering starting up a home based business. The book encompasses the
complete business life cycle through inception, planning, finance,
starting up, operating and finally selling a business.
Early chapters look at choosing a business idea,
determining viability, raising finance and starting up. The author reviews
the relative merits and drawbacks of operating as a sole trader,
partnership or limited company.
What sources of finance are available? How do you
market, promote and set prices? These questions are dealt with concisely
leaving the reader in no doubt what needs to be considered. The
book is not specific to internet business, however the section on
promotion includes traditional approaches that may complement electronic
promotional techniques.
Record keeping as a tool to monitor, control and plan
the business is examined in detail. The author looks at balance sheets,
trading profit and loss accounts and annual results. She explains the
functions they perform, what they look like and how to use them.
Taxation and how business records complement provision of evidence for
tax purposes are discussed.
