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Planning

Without a plan, how do you know where you’re going?

We know you’re ambitious and we know you’re enthusiastic. We know you want to make this work. After all, why else would you be here?

But getting ahead of yourself can be just as big of a problem as falling behind. That’s why we’re here – to guide you through these early stages and to make sure you’re not only doing it, but doing it right.

We want to help you make sense of your ideas and see you turn them into a thriving business. We’re here to help you with the intricacies of planning and to help you avoid all the pitfalls that make these early stages so difficult to navigate.

We’ve also brought together a range of business toolkits to help you develop your business idea and get started. You can explore our toolkits below, as well as find relevant support, resources and events.

How to Conduct Start-up Market Research

How to Conduct Start-up Market Research

Market research is essential to find out whether there will be enough demand for the products and services you plan to sell.

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How to Write a Business Plan

How to Write a Business Plan

A business plan will help you set targets and plan for the future.

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Key Contacts and Organisations for Startups

Key Contacts and Organisations for Startups

There are specific organisations that startups must contact before they start trading.

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  • EU Post-Transition Business Resource Hub
    Resource
    LBH Content

  • EU Post-Transition Business Resource Hub

  • Support for firms to adapt to new rules for business and trade.

  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Support for Businesses and Employers
    Resource
    LBH Content

  • COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – Support for Businesses and Employers

  • Support to help businesses and employers respond to COVID-19.

  • Easing of Lockdown Restrictions
    Resource
    LBH Content

  • Easing of Lockdown Restrictions

  • An overview of the Government's plan to ease lockdown restrictions.

  • Introduction to Lean Start-Up
    Event

  • Introduction to Lean Start-Up

  • Learn about the principles of Lean Start-Up.

  • Introduction to Lean Start-Up
    Event

  • Introduction to Lean Start-Up

  • Learn about the principles of Lean Start-Up.

  • Managing Change – From Restructuring, Redundancy to Homeworking
    Event

  • Managing Change – From Restructuring, Redundancy to Homeworking

  • Explore how to manage change during COVID-19.

  • How Phishing Attacks Work
    Event

  • How Phishing Attacks Work

  • Learn how to protect your business against phishing attacks.

  • Glossary of Brexit Terms
    Resource
    LBH Content

  • Glossary of Brexit Terms

  • An overview of common terms to help you prepare for the end of the transition.

  • Project You, Supercharge Your Career
    Resource

  • Project You, Supercharge Your Career

  • Free course to help women in business realise their professional ambitions.

  • Inspiring Women Start Up Programme
    Resource

  • Inspiring Women Start Up Programme

  • Support for women in London to start their own business.

  • Dream Bigger
    Resource

  • Dream Bigger

  • Support for young females to develop entrepreneurial skills.

  • NatWest Business Builder
    Resource

  • NatWest Business Builder

  • Learn how to take your idea or business to the next level.

  • Brexit Ready Podcast
    Resource
    LBH Content

  • Brexit Ready Podcast

  • Hear from other businesses about how they are getting ready for the end of the transition ...

  • Timeline of COVID-19 Restrictions in London
    Resource

  • Timeline of COVID-19 Restrictions in London

  • A timeline of restrictions in London.

  • Introduction to Business Start-up
    Event

  • Introduction to Business Start-up

  • Advice and tips on starting your own business.

  • Social Media on a Budget
    Event

  • Social Media on a Budget

  • Explore how to use social media to build brand awareness.

  • Business Launchpad
    Resource

  • Business Launchpad

  • Business Launchpad supports young people to start and develop their business.

  • Start-ups in London Libraries
    Resource

  • Start-ups in London Libraries

  • The SiLL project supports early-stage and aspiring entrepreneurs.

  • Start and Grow Your Business with the BIPC
    Resource

  • Start and Grow Your Business with the BIPC

  • Resources, support and workshops for startups and growing businesses.

  • Electronic Resources from the City Business Library
    Resource

  • Electronic Resources from the City Business Library

  • City Business Library provides specialist resources for startups and small businesses.

  • London Borough of Westminster
    Resource

  • London Borough of Westminster

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Westminster.

  • Enterprise Enfield
    Resource

  • Enterprise Enfield

  • Enterprise Enfield supports local businesses to start-up and succeed.

  • Enterprise Steps
    Resource

  • Enterprise Steps

  • Free support for pre-start, startup and established businesses.

  • Entrepreneur First: Build Your Startup
    Resource

  • Entrepreneur First: Build Your Startup

  • Support for ambitious individuals to find a co-founder and start their business.

  • London Borough of Barnet
    Resource

  • London Borough of Barnet

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Barnet.

  • London Borough of Bexley
    Resource

  • London Borough of Bexley

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Bexley.

  • London Borough of Brent
    Resource

  • London Borough of Brent

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Brent.

  • London Borough of Bromley
    Resource

  • London Borough of Bromley

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Bromley.

  • London Borough of Camden
    Resource

  • London Borough of Camden

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Camden.

  • London Borough of Croydon
    Resource

  • London Borough of Croydon

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Croydon.

  • London Borough of Ealing
    Resource

  • London Borough of Ealing

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Ealing.

  • London Borough of Enfield
    Resource

  • London Borough of Enfield

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Enfield.

  • London Borough of Hackney
    Resource

  • London Borough of Hackney

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Hackney.

  • London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham
    Resource

  • London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Hammersmith and Fulham.

  • Haringey Business Lounge
    Resource

  • Haringey Business Lounge

  • Information and support to help startups in Haringey to get going and grow.

  • London Borough of Haringey
    Resource

  • London Borough of Haringey

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Haringey.

  • London Borough of Harrow
    Resource

  • London Borough of Harrow

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Harrow.

  • London Borough of Havering
    Resource

  • London Borough of Havering

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Havering.

  • London Borough of Hillingdon
    Resource

  • London Borough of Hillingdon

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Hillingdon.

  • London Borough of Hounslow
    Resource

  • London Borough of Hounslow

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Hounslow.

  • London Borough of Islington
    Resource

  • London Borough of Islington

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Islington.

  • London Borough of Lambeth
    Resource

  • London Borough of Lambeth

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Lambeth.

  • London Borough of Lewisham
    Resource

  • London Borough of Lewisham

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Lewisham.

  • London Borough of Merton
    Resource

  • London Borough of Merton

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Merton.

  • London Borough of Newham
    Resource

  • London Borough of Newham

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Newham.

  • London Borough of Redbridge
    Resource

  • London Borough of Redbridge

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Redbridge.

  • The Importance of Market Research
    Article
    LBH Content

  • The Importance of Market Research

  • Learn why market research is important and how to get started.

  • How Important is Networking for Your Business
    Article
    LBH Content

  • How Important is Networking for Your Business

  • Discover how networking can help small businesses.

  • London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
    Resource

  • London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Richmond upon Thames.

  • London Borough of Southwark
    Resource

  • London Borough of Southwark

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Southwark.

  • London Borough of Sutton
    Resource

  • London Borough of Sutton

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Sutton.

  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets
    Resource

  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Tower Hamlets.

  • London Borough of Waltham Forest
    Resource

  • London Borough of Waltham Forest

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Waltham Forest.

  • London Borough of Wandsworth
    Resource

  • London Borough of Wandsworth

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Wandsworth.

  • Royal Borough of Greenwich
    Resource

  • Royal Borough of Greenwich

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Greenwich.

  • Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
    Resource

  • Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Kensington and Chelsea.

  • Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
    Resource

  • Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Kingston upon Thames.

  • StartUp Croydon
    Resource

  • StartUp Croydon

  • Services to help businesses start-up, grow and overcome challenges in Croydon.

  • The City of London Corporation
    Resource

  • The City of London Corporation

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in the City of London.

  • London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
    Resource

  • London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

  • Advice, support and information for businesses in Barking and Dagenham.