The Cork Schools Enterprise Programme website has been developed to provide the tools and resources necessary to help develop your business idea. As is the case for all aspiring entrepreneurs, the range of skills and knowledge required may seem daunting to begin with - planning, production, marketing, finance, employees and business regulations being but a few. However careful planning and preparation as well as realistic goal setting can help develop a successful business idea. This section of the site has been divided into some of the crucial stages of development for any new business. Each subsection contains a series of relevant resources and tools to help you setup and run a successful business.

Memorandum and Articles of Association >>

Stage 1: Self-Assessment
Running your own business demands a lot of commitment. It is both physically and mentally demanding. Therefore it is very important to assess your own suitability for starting and running a business. Articles and resources in this section will cover such topics as: What makes an entrepreneur?, Developing and Testing your Ideas and Market Research tools. Access Self-Assessment Resources >>

Stage 2: Planning
Once an opportunity has been recognised it is necessary to develop a mission statement and business strategy. Planning becomes even more important as the business develops. Writing a business plan before starting a business reduces the trial and error factor and will present obvious mistakes. This stage of business development is perhaps the most important for business success. Access Business Planning Resources >>

Stage 3: Finance
There are three main occasions when you must pay attention to the way in which your business is financed: At start-up, when additional finance is required and all the time in between. Access Financial Resources >>

Stage 4: Marketing & Sales
Marketing is about keeping your customers central in your thinking, behaviours and planning. To do that, you need a combination of information, vision and creativity. The main reason for conducting any market research is to prove the commercial viability of your project. Access Marketing & Sales Resources >>

Stage 5: Product Development
To ensure efficient production it is worthwhile to develop procedures and measure your activities so that you can standardise your approach. Access Production Resources >>

Stage 6: Human Resources
Understanding different elements such as employment contracts through to health & safety issues is vital for any successful business. Access HR Resources >>

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