Work Programme and wanting to start up a business.

[LongHairedLily]

Hi Guys,

 

As the title states I'm on the dreaded WP with the suby Scientiam (totally hopeless), presently without and advisor as she resigned last month, so they're advertising for a new one!

 

I would like to start my own business (one man band). As I'm on the WP the rules are different to someone who is just signing on I believe. I remember a chap storming into Ingeus angry at being fobbed off at the Jobcentre as they said any start up grants had to come from the WP provider. Ingeus then sent him away back to the JC as they said it wasn't them who gave start up grant etc.

 

I really don't want to end up being the human ping pong like the chap so is there anyone who can advise me, perhaps who was in my situation and have solid information.

 

 

Thanks

[sillygirl1]

Try checking on this link, they have a lot of advice and places to chase grants, I've got to chase one lot up today, forgot I could claim from them as I actually worked for them many years ago.

 

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/

 

I've got an adviser who is very nice, and another adviser helping with sorting out going self-employed, so hopefully I will end up sigining off jobseekers and that would take some pressure off me.

 

I'm in talks with a couple of nephews about a joint venture, seems that it could work out as no-one would be completely on their own and we can pool our resources, we are going to meet up soon to discuss where we are going to base ourselves and other issues. With one of them being disabled we have a few more options available than we would otherwise have.

 

I wish you luck with your business, it is not an easy time to set anything up, and the banks (being their own worst enemies) are too short-sighted to see that they would be helping the economy in allowing what they call 'zombie companies' operate for longer, (a zombie company is one which barely makes a profit and doesn't have bank loans, most are one man bands so are self-supporting).

[LongHairedLily]

Hi Sillygirl1

 

 

Thanks for the advice, must admit its daunting but if I don't go for it I will regret it! Good luck with your enterprise too!

[Conniff]

Do you have an idea of what it is you want to do?

[LongHairedLily]

Hi Conniff

 

I have everything in place the idea, the facilities/equipment etc and marketing tools to promote the company/services. I don't want to say what my idea is for fear of jinxing it-I'm super superstitious! I will be using my design talents and drawing on my experience in business/marketing/sales skills.

[sillygirl1]

I do too, and I have tools and equipment. I'm just waiting to find out about the joint venture idea before starting, we would all have more resources to pool and skills to utilise.

[MARTIN3030]

The NEAS is up and running in your area.

Here are some useful links for you.

 

http://www.southportchamberofcommerce.org.au/

 

http://www.bis.gov.uk/

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2012/jun-2012/dwp059-12.shtml

[LongHairedLily]

The NEAS is up and running in your area.

Here are some useful links for you.

 

http://www.southportchamberofcommerce.org.au/

 

http://www.bis.gov.uk/

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2012/jun-2012/dwp059-12.shtml

 

 

 

Hi Martin

 

Thanks for the information I'll have a look in a minute!

[down'n'out]

ooops, sorry, link already given.

 

please delete.

[Conniff]

Hi Conniff

 

I have everything in place the idea, the facilities/equipment etc and marketing tools to promote the company/services. I don't want to say what my idea is for fear of jinxing it-I'm super superstitious! I will be using my design talents and drawing on my experience in business/marketing/sales skills.

 

Hi Helly, I didn't mean the actual thing, just wondering if it service, selling or manufacturing.

[LongHairedLily]

Hi Helly, I didn't mean the actual thing, just wondering if it service, selling or manufacturing.

Hi Conniff,

 

The company would combine all three of the elements, however I would be selling individually designed items, initially through my own website, also to gain more exposive set up a page on facebook with a link to my website, and eventually to stock in shops. I have a cousin who has a shop and a friend who has another shop too I could approach. The service element would come from the sold item and follow up service.

[MARTIN3030]

There are far more grants available if you are going to be manufacturing.

 

I think the next step is to put together a business plan.

Once you have done this,you will be well placed to get going.

The Chamber has business plan packs with supporting notes and examples to help you.There are also lots of templates on the internet.

Obviously,you will be forecasting some of the things in there.

Your chamber may also have pre start up workshops,or other initiatives which you need to get your name on.

In the first instance I would call them and make an appointment with the start ups team.

[LongHairedLily]

There are far more grants available if you are going to be manufacturing.

 

I think the next step is to put together a business plan.

Once you have done this,you will be well placed to get going.

The Chamber has business plan packs with supporting notes and examples to help you.There are also lots of templates on the internet.

Obviously,you will be forecasting some of the things in there.

Your chamber may also have pre start up workshops,or other initiatives which you need to get your name on.

In the first instance I would call them and make an appointment with the start ups team.

 

Thanks Martin for the advice, you certainly know your stuff!

[MARTIN3030]

I went on the original Enterprise allowance scheme in 1999.

I signed up to the newer one last year.It helps for sure.

St.Helens Chamber from what I can gather is involved in handling applications from all over Merseyside,so you might be referred there-its not too far away.

[RebeccaPidgeon]

Over enthusiastic hams within Ingeus are commending candidates to set up in business without the need to undergo any form of Business Training, or the preparation of any Business Plan, and even highlight the ability for candidates to make up their hours to 30 hours per week in order to claim Working Tax Credit.

 

The term FRAUD comes to mind, and compelling candidates to "obtain pecuniary advantage through deception".

[RebeccaPidgeon]

Hi Conniff,

 

The company would combine all three of the elements, however I would be selling individually designed items, initially through my own website, also to gain more exposive set up a page on facebook with a link to my website, and eventually to stock in shops. I have a cousin who has a shop and a friend who has another shop too I could approach. The service element would come from the sold item and follow up service.

 

Depending on your existing website, have a look at what is available through JOOMLA. Essentially, if you have a development platform using Apache,MySQL, PHP, you can install Joomla, together with plugins such as a Shopping Cart, and payment mechanisms, without much hastle.

[sillygirl1]

Working Tax Credit in my case is less than I get on unemployment benefit, housing is less and so is council tax benefit, so unless I actually earn money I will be financially worse off by about £30 a week.... hardly seems worth the effort in doing a business plan, highlighting alternative sources of income and sourcing start up capital (which apparently is zilch for me because I am not young, do not have kids and am in the wrong part of the country).

[RebeccaPidgeon]

Apparently, if Work Programme Admin Staff can coerce participants to go to the trouble of setting up a business, they will become eligible for a generous bonus (even if no assistance is given) simply through the individual "Registering the Business" without any effort on their part.

[MARTIN3030]

Apparently, if Work Programme Admin Staff can coerce participants to go to the trouble of setting up a business, they will become eligible for a generous bonus (even if no assistance is given) simply through the individual "Registering the Business" without any effort on their part.

 

Of course in some situations it may be true,but most people who have ambition and determination to start up on their own dont really need coersion.

A business plan as well as cash flow forecasts are impossible to start without-these are like road maps and to try going anywhere without them is impossible.

[frank fist]

Some good advice on here, gonna look at some of these for my own project.

[RebeccaPidgeon]

Of course in some situations it may be true,but most people who have ambition and determination to start up on their own dont really need coersion.

A business plan as well as cash flow forecasts are impossible to start without-these are like road maps and to try going anywhere without them is impossible.

If a candidate is on the Work Programme, they are not then eligible for other start up support from Job Centre Plus... such as the New Enterprise Scheme (the value of which was less than if the candidate simply received Job Seekers Allowance), and may even preclude assistance from other Business Start Up Companies through the Public Sector as well.

 

Although, according to the Welfare Reform Act, the Universal Credit will replace Working Tax Credit, Administrative Clerks within the Work Programme are also commending candidates who start up a business by increasing their business activities to exceed 30 hours per week and claiming Working Tax Credit.

 

Although this option may allow the Work Programme Provider to claim a nice bonus, the entrepreneur would need to be careful - otherwise they may be liable for repayment of £'000s of Working Tax Credit to HMRC.

 

On the subject of a Business Plan...depending on the business, it may not be possible to generate a comperehensive Business Plan. For example, if you intend to set up as a Manufacturing Business or through Consumer Services (for example, developing a redundant Post Office), and if a loan is required for purchase, refitting and stock acquisition, then a business plan is essential to support any loan application. However, if the business involves a specialist activity, such as "Business To Business Consultancy Services", where neither premises nor equipment are necessary, then a financial business plan may be somewhat complex to develop.

[MARTIN3030]

However, if the business involves a specialist activity, such as "Business To Business Consultancy Services", where neither premises nor equipment are necessary, then a financial business plan may be somewhat complex to develop.

 

Do you mean working from home ?

 

Even without business premises or equipment,no one is working with a candle and pen and paper.

So if you was working from home you would still be able to calculate costs for internet,consumables.heat and light etc.

Presumably you would have researched the market and the competition,since these are a key focus.

There are different scenarios for those who own their own homes and those who are in Social housing.

Cameron has not kept true to his word from a pre election pledge that he would be making it easier for those in Social housing to run businesses from home.

At the moment it is holding many potential small businesses back.

I wrote to Vince Cable a few weeks ago asking whats happening with this and I had a reply from his office that he would be in touch.

[RebeccaPidgeon]

However, if the business involves a specialist activity, such as "Business To Business Consultancy Services", where neither premises nor equipment are necessary, then a financial business plan may be somewhat complex to develop.

 

Do you mean working from home ?

 

Even without business premises or equipment,no one is working with a candle and pen and paper.

So if you was working from home you would still be able to calculate costs for internet,consumables.heat and light etc.

Presumably you would have researched the market and the competition,since these are a key focus.

There are different scenarios for those who own their own homes and those who are in Social housing.

Cameron has not kept true to his word from a pre election pledge that he would be making it easier for those in Social housing to run businesses from home.

At the moment it is holding many potential small businesses back.

I wrote to Vince Cable a few weeks ago asking whats happening with this and I had a reply from his office that he would be in touch.

Although Vince Cable has demonstrated his astuteness..... for nothing other than creating massive Elephant Traps (such as declaring war against News International, Bankers etc)...I doubt very much whether the Liberal could manage his way outside of an open and transparent paper bag.

 

In terms of your post-start up business expenses, a formal system would need to be developed to support accounts, but in the time taken from developing a business idea into a practical proposition and to generate the first income feed, an agile approach may be adopted which may require no business plan or expense but which can establish the business.

 

The simplest example that I can think of is when you want to start an online business - in which case if, you possess the expertise, you may develop the website yourself, establish links to Web 2.0 Social Media Networks (such as Twitter, Facebook), market your business, and once interest emanates from potential customers, deal with that interest in order to quantify the first commercial client. If and when that interest is quantified, you can then go to the trouble of officially setting up that business... which could take as little as 3 hours if you buy an "Off The Shelf" Business through the internet (at the cost of about £16.75) or as long as 24 hours if you go through an accountants.

[MARTIN3030]

I dont deny that it is not essential to be looking for business start up support /mentoring and doing lots of homework and preparation if anyone is minded to go the way you outline.

In fact for those who have been in business before or already have the skills to make a go,then for them it is much easier because they will know how to do it.

This forum was created for the majority who do not posess such a head start,and will need to learn things,whether they are working from home,from an office,in the retail/service or homeworking sector.

[RebeccaPidgeon]

If candidates are serious about starting a business, then they should ignore the faux-advice given by Administrative Clerks within the W2W Sector, ignore the Work Programme Provider, and discuss the options confidentially with a Specialist Business Advice Centre, such as Business Links.