At the Belfast Business Centre we understand that small businesses need flexibility, in services and terms.

The Belfast Business Centre’s Serviced Office Space provides:

High Speed Internet – Connect to our building network for immediate service with no contract or installation charge.

Fully Furnished – Quality Desking, Pedestals, Chairs and Storage Solutions for immediate occupation.

Business Administration Services – Pay for what you use from our range of Colour to A3 printing, Binding, photocopying and laminating facilities.

Postage – Save on Royal Mail Stamp charges by using the centre’s Franking facility for individual letters or multiple mail shots.

Fixed budgeting – One fixed monthly fee covers all the office utilities, broadband and telephone connectivity and complimentary coffee (the only expend not included is the cost of outgoing telephone calls).

Reception and Telephony Staff – The fully staffed reception and switchboards greeting visitors and answering calls in your company name saves on staffing costs and ensures there is always someone there to act as your ambassador.

A Financial Commitment – the minimum agreement term of just one month gives you the peace of mind that you are not tied into a long term lease while working in a secure, professional and city centre environment.

Check out the Belfast Business Centre social media accounts today for updates, offers, other tips and incentives!

Welcome

A warm 2013 Welcome to:

Bernadette & Kandi - Client Magnets

Roger -Simply Ford Leasing

Stuart – From Vineyards Direct

Ruth & Louise – Horizon Renewables

Top Tips For Starting Up continued 7- 12

Top Tips for Starting Up

Continued...

7. Books and Records: You need to set up a system for keeping all your records including payments, receipts, purchases and sales, assets and loans.  You also need a system for product prices, customer details.

8. Accounts: The books and records you keep are used to produce your annual accounts and the better your records, the less time and money an accountant will cost.  Legally you need to provide information to HMRC for VAT, PAYE & NIC and Corporaton Tax.

9. Employing People: If you employ staff you need to consider your interviewing skills and techniques.  You will also be responsible for deducting PAYE and NIC and submitting payments to HMRC.  You must also be aware of legal changes to the Tax Codes, HMRC procedures and Employment Law criteria.  You will need to produce a contract of employment and maintain personnel records.  

10. Premises: You need to decide the best location and type of premises for your business.  If you can run your business  from home, then use a Virtual Office Service to provide you with a commercial address, a  business telephone number and the support services a business centre can offer.  If you need storage facilities then a government subsidised enterprise unit may be more appropriate.  Should you need a permanent office base for you and your staff, then a serviced office with its fixed monthly fee which includes all your rent, rates and utilities with a one month notice period is the best starting place.  Contact us at the Belfast Business Centre for prices and advise.

11. Insurance:  You will legally require insurance for employers, vehicles, stock and depending on the nature of your business for public liability, consequential loss and bad debts.

12. Pension:  A Pension Scheme may be a good way of saving for retirement dependant on the tax rulings, you should check out what benefits as a business owner there are in relation to pensions. 

Check out the Belfast Business Centre social media accounts today for updates, offers, other tips and incentives!

Event Costs

Obtaining a preliminary budget for an event is crucial!

Comparing venues and costs can be a timing consuming task and that is when you have finally extracted costs of some of the venue who almost need to know your life history and several forms of future contact details before they can be pressurised enough to release some figures. 

Beware those who are vague about costs and what is included, this can mean you find a lot of ‘extras’ on your final invoice that were not included in your initial quotation. 

Venues who are happy to provide clear and transparent figures from the outset are very customer focused and know that time is money for their clients.

At the Belfast Business Centre we provide  clear 'pick and mix' and an 'all inclusive' pricing structure for our meeting rooms so that our clients get the best price for what they really need!

Top Tips for Starting Up 4 - 6

People are starting up in business for many reasons, a dream, the freedom of being in charge, or being made redundant.

You need a lot of enthusiasm, determination and the ability to put in the long hours and if you don’t have the managerial, financial, technical or marketing skills to start-up, there are many organisations available to help you gain those skills.

Here are the second 3 of 12 Tips to Help  (the first 3 were posted on 25th February)

4. Business Plans are key:  You need to prepare a Business Plan to enable you to focus your targets, finances, resources and procedures.

5. Business Structure:  You need to decide what type of legal business entity you wish to set up.  The main types are Sole Trader, Limited Company and Partnership.  You should research each and identify the most suitable for you as each come with their own set of responsibilities and requirements.

6. Marketing & Stationery:  You need to look at the best marketing methods for your industry, branding for your business and printed stationery which contains the minimum requirement of information.

Check out the Belfast Business Centre social media accounts today for updates, offers, other tips and incentives!

Top Tips for Starting Up.........

People are starting up in business for many reasons, a dream, the freedom of being in charge, or finding themselves redundant.  

You need a lot of enthusiasm, determination and the ability to put in the long hours and if you don’t have the managerial, financial, technical or marketing skills to start-up, there are many organisations available to help you gain those skills.

Here are the first 3 of 12 Tips to Help

1. Get into the right frame of mind: Before taking the plunge, ask yourself, Can you commit to the long hours needed? Can you manage with a lack of financial certainly each month?  Will you persevere if it is a struggle in the early stages? Do you have the discipline to work for you self and on your own initially?
2. Research:  Find out as much as you can about the market you are going into.  Who are your competitors, distributors and suppliers.  Can you compete financially with your competitors?  Who are your customers?
3. Think about your weaknesses:  You may have great sales or communication skills or be technically expert, but it is unlikely you are strong in all areas of business management.  Think about the areas you are not strong in and find out what help is available to you to build the skills you will need.

Check out the Belfast Business Centre social media accounts today for updates, offers, other tips and incentives!

Tips for Planning Your Event

Step 1:  Visualise your event to help decide on the timing, layout and requirements.

Step 2: Organising starts with confirming the date does not clash with another event and suits all the key participants.

Step 3: Choosing the best Venue based on location, size and facilities to meet the needs of your event and arranging a visit to ensure it is suitable.

Step 4: Promote your event, if it is a public event, check if the venue can also assist in its promotion.

Step 5: Compile a list of the participants containing up to date contact details and maintain an up to date database of responses.

Step 6: Invitations can create an excellent impression of your organisation and the event. 

Step 7: Catering and Refreshment options are varied and the nature of the food and the event need to be considered when placing your order.

Step 8: Finishing Touches can make a big difference including event essentials such as Writing Paper, Mints, copy presentation notes and room Temperature Control.

Check out the Belfast Business Centre social media accounts today for updates, offers, other tips and incentives!