Service Overview Pack

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Ser vice Over view Pack

Wrexham Library, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AU

(01978) 292092

[email protected] www.wrexham.gov.uk/businessline

Search Google Play for “Businessline” to download

our Android app. /businesslinewrexham

@businesslinewxm

/businesslinewrexham

Let our

Information

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AN INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESSLINE

Businessline is a professional business information service based within Wrexham Library (the largest public library in North Wales). Our experienced team of business information specialists provide a bespoke service aimed at the local business community. We’re able to provide a wide variety of services to help both new and existing businesses, together with business students. As a brief insight we can help you…

- Start a new business / reduce your business start-up time - Research your market

- Identify your competitors - Source new suppliers

- Target new customers / identify marketing opportunities - Check the credit worthiness of your suppliers etc

- Manage your staff effectively

- Network with other local businesses - Follow statutory legislation

- Protect your ideas

We actively encourage people to call in, telephone or email us to discuss their business information needs. Businessline have been established over twenty years and are part of a substantial network of business professionals. This pack has been created to provide a brief insight into a few of our main

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STARTING A BUSINESS

2 Starting a new business can be an exciting, yet daunting experience. Businessline have a number of resources available to assist new business start-ups, which can help answer the numerous questions you may have, such as:

- What business regulations must I follow when starting up?

- Which organisations should I contact when starting up?

- What are the pros and cons of running a business from home?

- Are there any legal issues to be aware of for my particular business idea?

- What potential start-up costs will be incurred?

- Who are my local competitors?

Businessline Start-up Pack:

Please feel free to call in, phone or email us to request a free start-up pack, which includes the following guides:

- A guide to writing a business plan

- A guide to running a business from home

- Choosing the right legal status for your business - A guide to business regulations when stetting up

- A guide to organisations you must contact when starting up - A guide to researching a business market for business start-ups - A guide to drawing up terms and conditions of sale

- An introduction to insurance cover for businesses - and much more

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STARTING A BUSINESS

Business Opportunity Profiles:

We have access to over 500 Business Opportunity Profiles; each relates to starting a particular type of business and provide information such as:

- Any qualification / training that may be required - Potential customers and competitors

- Key trends and issues effecting the market - Promotional opportunities

- Possible start-up costs - Legal issues to consider - Sources for further information

Why not combine a start-up pack and Business Opportunity Profile, for a tailor made start-up resource for your business. Books available for loan:

Businessline have a wide variety of up-to-date business books, available for loan, aimed at first time entrepreneurs, focusing on areas such as starting and running a business. We also have books available dedicated to a wide variety of specific business types, each providing step-by-step guidance for starting your business etc. Please see page 22 for further information.

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BUSINESS GRANTS, LOANS AND AWARDS

J4B Grants Database:

Businessline subscribe to the comprehensive J4B Grants database for the business sector. Using this resource we’re able to provide both accurate and up-to-date information on local, regional, national and European funding schemes, which you may be eligible to receive. Information on funding opportunities can be provided a

number or purposes which include:

- Starting a business - Business development

- Information and communication technology - IT: E-commerce and web

- Marketing and promotion - Premises

- Recruitment - Training

A brief summary of results can be provided for any of the grant purposes listed above. We can then provide full details with complete information on eligibility, the maximum funding value, contact details for grant administrators and supporting documentation for funding, which may be of interest.

To keep up-to-date with the availability of local business grants, together with funding competitions and awards, feel free to subscribe to our mailing list (see page 21 for further information) and we’ll send you a copy of our monthly newsletter, which contains this information. 4

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RESEARCHING YOUR MARKET

Interested in learning more about a particular market? Businessline subscribe to a wide range of specialist and leading market research reports; ideal for supporting business plans / grant applications and identifying both current and future trends etc. Allow us to identify the reports best suited to your needs.

KeyNote Reports:

KeyNote are the most comprehensive market research reports we are able to provide access to. Often over

100 pages in length, the reports provide an in-depth statistical analysis of both current and predicted future

market trends / forecasts, together with consumer demographics and buying behaviour.

Often costing upwards of £500 to purchase, Businessline are able to provide FREE access to KeyNote reports within Wrexham Library. Up to 10% of

any title (usually 20 pages) can be photocopied onsite. Many titles are updated on a yearly basis providing access to the latest comprehensive market intelligence. Please see the following link for a list of the reports available at present:

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RESEARCHING YOUR MARKET

CCH Business Focus:

CCH Business Focus provides industry-specific statistical intelligence for over 90 trades and professions. Through the use of this resource we are able to provide free reports which analyse markets, providing the following information: - Sector overview:

- Trade developments - Turnover trends - Market position

- Outlook and prospects - Nature of trade

- Operating practices - Sales mix

- Seasonality

- Factors effecting sales - Customers - terms offered - Suppliers - terms obtained

- Start-up information; potential start-up costs - Legislation

- Market statistics - and much more

All this invaluable information will provide you with a detailed insight into your trade / profession (should it be

available on the database). CCH Business Focus is also constantly updated to take account of the latest market information.

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RESEARCHING YOUR MARKET

7 UK Market Synopses:

Usually 10-15 pages in length UK market synopses can be provided free of charge in either electronic or hard copy. Areas of focus usually cover market developments and opportunities, current trends, future issues etc.

Demographic Statistics:

Businessline have access to a wide range of demographic and other such statistics. These will allow you to gain a greater understanding of the social, economic and environmental make ups of the local area, together with national towns and cities. As an example, some of the demographics we will be able to provide you with are as follows:

- Population breakdowns by age and area

- Household income levels by area

- Employment levels by area

- and much more

This data, may for example, prove to be of particular interest to entrepreneurs who’s core business will focus on a

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RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS

Any successful business needs to make well-informed decisions, Businessline can provide you with the information from which effective decisions can be made.

Business Information Factsheets:

We have access to a wide range of business

information factsheets (please ask for a list) covering a comprehensive range of business topics. The factsheets cover topics such as choosing the right advertising medium for your business, setting up a

website, understanding balance sheets and much more. Factsheets are continually updated to comply with changes in legislation and to incorporate new concepts. Those of interest can be provided free of charge.

Books available for loan:

Businessline also have a wide variety of up-to-date business books and CD-ROMs covering all the main areas of business, 90% of which are available to loan. We also have access to a number of specialist directories, which could prove useful when planning marketing initiatives etc. Please see page 22 for further information.

categories of books available at Businessline.

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SPECIALIST DATABASES

Businessline subscribe to two market leading, UK wide, business databases, which can help you:

- Effortlessly identify new sales targets and generate tailored telesales, postal and email marketing lists

- Target new or alternative suppliers

- Identify competitors and research particular companies

The two databases we have access to are as follows:

- Thomson Local Business Search

- Experian

Working together we can provide you with the freedom to manipulate and fine-tune searches using numerous filters, so you’re able to identify and target the businesses of interest to you. Information can be downloaded into spreadsheet format, creating sales and marketing lists etc ready for immediate use.

The databases we subscribe to allow us to access both up-to-date and in-depth information quickly, which is often difficult, expensive and time-consuming to obtain. Please feel free to contact us should you have any queries or to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, further information together with an online marketing list request form is available via the following link: http://bit.ly/marketing_lists

(case sensitive).

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SPECIALIST DATABASES

Free statistical breakdowns can be provided allowing you to analyse the number of businesses based in a particular geographical area for instance by number of employees, turnover, business classification etc.

Experian:

If you are interested in running a business-to-business email marketing campaign to publicise your products / services, tailored lists in line with your needs can be generated from the Experian database. Businesses that

have not consented to receiving marketing emails are automatically excluded . Postal and telesales lists can also be generated from this resource.

A fee will be applicable for the export of information to spreadsheet format from this resource, with the cost largely depending on the number of results along with the information you require. Contact names for specific job

holders can also be provided for example. For more information please refer to the following link:

http://bit.ly/marketing_lists (case sensitive).

No fee will be incurred before agreeing to the number of leads you wish to purchase.

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SPECIALIST DATABASES

Thomson Local Business Search:

This database is an award-winning resource for generating targeted and accurate direct mail or telemarketing lists. Thomson Local Business Search receives weekly updates, instantly setting it apart as an invaluable source of accurate, up-to-date information for sales lead generation etc. Search filters can be incorporated as appropriate to form results tailored to your exact requirements. Information provided form this includes:

- Company name - Address

- Telephone number - Fax number - Website address - Number of employees - Years established

50 results can be provided free of charge in spreadsheet

format every three months. Charges will be applicable

should you wish to obtain additional results. For more information and to specify your marketing list requirements please see the following web-page:

http://bit.ly/marketing_lists (case sensitive).

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- Premises type - Type of business - SIC description - Turnover

- Estimated Turnover - Profit before tax

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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

If you would like to identify local means of promoting your business, Businessline can help, as a brief overview we’re able to help you identify:

- Local community magazines and newspapers in which you

could place adverts.

- Noticeboards on which you can display marketing literature.

- Residential leafleting opportunities.

- Websites on which you could list your business.

- Tradeshows and events at which you could exhibit.

- Website and graphic designers etc you could work with.

- Local business networking opportunities.

- Marketing grants your may be entitled to receive.

- and much more.

Local advertising pack:

Our local advertising pack highlights a broad range of promotional opportunities available within the Wrexham

area. Please see the following link for further information:

http://bit.ly/local-advertising-pack (case sensitive).

Raise your profile - Businessline support services:

Businessline can also assist you raise the profile of your

business in a number of ways, please find further information on the following three pages: ₁₂

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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

Businessline newsletter advertising opportunities:

Our monthly business newsletter is currently circulated to c.400 local business contacts, links to our newsletters are also posted on our social media channels together with the largest local business groups on LinkedIn. Each month we offer a small number of low cost and effective advertising opportunities ranging from quarter page through to half and full page slots. Please see the following link for further information, together with our advertising rates:

http://bit.ly/Newsletter-Advertising (case sensitive).

Newsletters are made available for a year via our web-pages, which attract over 4,000 annual user sessions. Please contact us should you wish to place an advert. For past editions of our newsletters follow the link below: http://bit.ly/Businessline-newsletters-archive (case sensitive) Businessline newsletter - free article space:

Businessline offer business professionals the opportunity to share their knowledge within their area of expertise free of charge by submitting an article of up to 250 words for inclusion in our monthly e-newsletter. The article must not be written in the form of an advert promoting your 13

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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

business, instead the aim of articles are to provide businesses with useful advice hints and tips. For example,

a website optimisation business could provide an article detailing easy-to-implement techniques to improve website

visibility on search engines.

At the end of articles we include the name of the business the article has been provided by, together with their website address and telephone number. Articles could be used as a means of demonstrating / showcasing your knowledge in your area of business, which may in turn help you secure increased sales / enquiries.

If you are interested in having an article featured within an edition of our e-newsletter please contact us for further information or submit your article via email:

[email protected].

Video presentations:

Free video opportunities are also available, which again allow businesses to showcase their knowledge within their area of expertise and in so doing raise the profile of their enterprise. See the following link for further information:

http://bit.ly/free-video-presentation-opportunity

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MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS

Increase the profile of your business -

offer a business-to-business discount:

Businessline are able to assist you in promoting your business to both new and existing SME’s, should you wish to offer a business-to-business discount on your products / services. Offers will be promoted on a dedicated web-page over a 12 month period, a link from the Wrexham County Borough Council website should also improve your Google ranking, and your discount offer will have the following reach:

- The Businessline web-pages currently attract c.4,000 annual visitors of which c.3,000 are unique visitors

- Offers will also be publicised to the Businessline mailing list of local businesspeople, we currently have c.400 mailing list subscribers at present

- Links to our business-to-business discount offers page will

be shared on our social media pages

- A link to our business-to-business discount offers page will be included on the Businessline e-mail signature, c.3000 emails are sent annually.

For more information, please see the following web-page:

http://bit.ly/offer-a-discount (case sensitive).

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VIRTUAL WREXHAM

Wrexham is home to a wide variety of retailers, ranging from skilled arts and crafts makers, fashion designers, health and beauty producers, bakers and much more, with many individuals launching their own business.

Many of these businesses sell online, however it’s not always easy to identify local producers / retailers trading via

the internet and to discover, for example, the unique, home-made and original range of gifts and products which

are made or sold in Wrexham. In a bid to support local online retailers, Businessline are delighted to bring you Virtual Wrexham - Wrexham’s online shopping destination. Please see the following link for further information:

www.virtual-wrexham.co.uk

Virtual Wrexham largely aims to encourage local residents to support local businesses, enabling them to grow to the point whether they may be able to open physical shop in Wrexham and / or create new job opportunities.

Do you sell online? If so please see the following link to discover how Virtual Wrexham could benefit your business:

http://bit.ly/list-your-business-virtual-wrexham

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CREDIT CHECKS

Experian Credit Reports:

Credit reports can be an invaluable resource, providing information from which well-informed decisions can be

made. Reports will highlight any companies with a poor

credit worthiness rating and those in a poor financial situation before you enter into business with them, thereby reducing the risks associated with financial investments. Using our FREE credit checking service you will be able to assess the creditworthiness of any limited company within the UK, briefer reports are also available for many sole traders. Should you be working with businesses trading outside of the UK; reports are also available for foreign companies, however a fee would be applicable to obtain this information.

The Experian reports we’re able to provide have numerous benefits, for example:

 To highlight whether companies, have the means to pay for

goods or services you have been requested to supply.

 You can also use the reports to identify the financial viability of your suppliers and in so do doing, prevent entering into

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CREDIT CHECKS

 If you’re thinking of entering into partnership with another company it may well prove beneficial to investigate and assess their financial status and trustworthiness beforehand

Reports can vary in length; with the amount of information

available is largely determined by each individual businesses personal circumstances and activities; for instance limited companies are required by law to provide

more in-depth information than sole traders.

As a brief overview the information provided within reports include:

 A general company summary

 Financial breakdowns and risk information

 Ownership and director details

 Credit score and credit limit changes on a monthly basis

 Payment performance information is also available for many

companies

To request a credit check simply call in, telephone or email us stating the name of the company or business of interest to you. Example reports can also be provided on request.

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360 NETWORKING GROUP

As an entrepreneur networking provides an excellent opportunity to raise your business profile, gain knowledge

and feedback, form new connections, develop relationships and create opportunities, all of which are essential to ensuring the future development and success of your business. Businesslines “360 Networking” group offers a relaxed, friendly and no pressure opportunity to:

 Meet and form relationships with local business professionals

 Promote your products and services

 Listen to presentations covering a diverse range of topics.

Meetings:

Meetings, unless otherwise stated, are held on the second Tuesday of each month, from 5:00pm - 6:45pm at Gresford Memorial Centre, Wrexham, LL12 8PS.

Meeting format:

Welcome 5:00pm

Introductions 5:10pm - 5:20pm Presentation 5:20pm - 5:45pm Informal networking 5:45pm - 6:45pm

For further information including; details of past meeting attendees, annual membership benefits, how to book to attend a meeting etc please see the following web-page:

www.wrexham.gov.uk/360-networking

Not attended a meeting before? Book to attend as a meeting as a FREE guest via the link above.

If you would like to identify the other networking meetings

taking place in the Wrexham area, please feel free to

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LOCAL BUSINESS DISCOUNTS

Business-to-business discounts:

Businessline has a firm commitment and passion for supporting the formation of new businesses, together with assisting local enterprises thrive, resulting in a more vibrant and successful business community. With this in mind, we’re

delighted to facilitate a local business-to-business

discounts scheme aimed at attracting additional commerce and inward investment into the Wrexham area, benefiting both new and existing enterprises.

If you’re in the process of going self-employed or run a more established business in or outside of the Wrexham area, you will be able to take advantage of the discounts listed on the local business discounts section of our web-pages. Please see the following link to view the business-to-business discounts available at present:

http://bit.ly/business-discounts-Wrexham (case sensitive).

If you run a business based in Wrexham and would like to offer a business-to-business discount please see page 16 for further information.

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BUSINESSLINE MAILING LIST

If you are interested in keeping up-to-date with:

- The launch of new grants

- Changes in business regulations

- Useful tips on various aspects of business

- Networking meetings and business events in

Wrexham

Please feel free to join the Businessline mailing list via the link below to receive our monthly email containing a copy of our newsletter together with a calendar of the business events and networking sessions taking place in the area during the month:

http://bit.ly/Businessline_mailing_list (case sensitive).

Planning to run a presentation, workshop, training session or conference within the Wrexham area, our event facilitation service will allow you to easily identify local venues and take advantage of direct promotional opportunities to local businesses. Businessline also offer a number of free event packages each year. Please see the following link for further information:

http://bit.ly/event-facilitation-service (case sensitive).

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EVENT FACILITATION / PROMOTION SERVICE

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BUSINESS BOOKS AND DIRECTORIES

Businessline stock a wide range of up-to-date business books, CD-ROM’s and specialist directories covering all the key areas of business. Items are classified and grouped by business area, allowing resources covering a particular subject to be easily located. Please find below a brief overview of our classification system:

Shelf Colour

Start-up GREEN

Communication ORANGE

Marketing RED

Human Resources SAGE

Management MAROON

Manufacturing GREY

Law PINK

Finance BLUE

IT YELLOW

Statistics WHITE

Business Directories BLACK

Specific Industries WHITE

As you can see over the next two pages, each area is then subdivided into specific subjects. 90% of our resources are available for loan. You’re quite welcome to browse through all our resource on the libraries online catalogue, which can be found on the following link. Depending on your

preferences you’re able to search by title, author or class (please enter the shelf colour in this field).

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BUSINESS BOOKS AND DIRECTORIES

Free access to business e-books

We are pleased to announce a service that allows Library members to download e-books FREE!

- You can borrow or reserve up to 4 e-books at any one time.

- E-books are issued for three weeks, unless you choose to shorten the loan period. After the loan period has expired, the book will automatically be deleted. - The e-books are available to download 24/7.

- E-books are downloaded to your PC, laptop or MAC using

Adobe Digital Editions download manager. You can then transfer the book to your e-reader, tablet or smartphone.

Alternatively, e-books can be downloaded directly to smartphones and tablets once an e-book reader app has been installed.

The download service is not yet available for Kindle e-book readers.

What you need:

- Wrexham Libraries’ Membership card:

http://bit.ly/join-wrexham-libraries (case sensitive).

- PIN number (if you don’t know yours, call into your local branch for a reminder. Please take proof of your home address with you).

- Access to a computer, smartphone or a compatible e-book reader

Please follow the link below to be taken to the e-books service:

wales.libraryebooks.co.uk

eBooks for Wales is jointly funded by CyMAL (Museums, Libraries and Archives Wales) and 17 local authorities.

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WREXHAM LIBRARY

Wrexham Library, Rhosddu Road, Wrexham, LL11 1AU (01978) 292092

[email protected] www.wrexham.gov.uk/businessline

HOW TO FIND US

- We aim to answer enquiries within a single day of submission, with straight-forward enquiries being resolved immediately. Time taken to answer complex enquiries will be discussed with you.

- The large majority of our services are provided free of charge, with no hidden costs.

- We’re flexible with your needs and offer you the choice of both the format and delivery method of the information you require.

Service Overview Pack