West Coast New Zealand

Business Growth Strategies

Presented by Craig Rust

Are you looking for that next challenge? Had enough of being labelled a small business and want to take your business to the next level? Then this is the course for you.  This course will give you the skills required to plan for growth so that your growth is managed successfully.

• What is a growing business?
• Characteristics of well managed growing businesses
• Risks of Growing (Financial and Commercial)
• Planning for growth
• Growth Strategies
• Funding Growth

Practical Business Planning

Presented by Geof Franks

Research indicates that forward planning significantly increases the chances of success for a small business. Preparing a business plan keeps your feet on the ground by providing a realistic view of the future, helps you determine what capital and borrowing will be required, and provides a set of goals to measure actual performance against. It is also a document that banks and investors will want to see before giving any money to a small business.

• Working out your competitive advantage
• How to prepare information about your business and the industry you're in
• The important sections of a business plan, and the key questions you should ask yourself
• An analysis of future trends and changes predicted for New Zealand
• How to prepare relevant financial forecasts
• Business planning software and other useful resources.

Participants will be provided with a planning template and will leave the workshop with their business plan partially completed. No prior business planning or financial knowledge is necessary.

Financials for your Business Plan

Presented by Geof Franks

How to prepare the financial information needed for your business plan

A recent survey of small businesses revealed that 41% consider the financials to be the hardest part of running their business, and 19% admitted they put their financials into the ‘too hard’ basket. This workshop is designed to assist you in preparing the financial information needed in your business plan, particularly if you wish to take your business plan to a bank to gain funding.

Through practical examples and exercises you will learn:

• How to estimate future sales and expenses, and how to prepare a projected Profit & Loss Statement
• How to calculate what it costs you to provide your products or services, and how to determine a selling price
• How to calculate break-even points for your business
• The difference between Cash and Net Profit, and how to prepare a Cashflow Forecast

Note that this is a hands-on workshop and participants will be asked to complete practical exercises. Please bring a calculator.