Sustainable Business/Booklets

thumb|400px| Below are a range of booklets to help you prepare, plan and operate your sustainable business. This list will grow over time, as we test new methods and receive feedback. Depending on the type of business, and your principles of business, choose appropriate methods for preparing, planning, and operating: Sustainable business practice What is Sustainability? Why develop sustainable business practice? Examples of sustainable business practices Scenarios of sustainable business practice Principles for sustainable business Applying principles and practices Measuring sustainable business practice Background to the principles of sustainability Further links and resources Is there a market? Investigating market potential Find out what potential customers think Profile your ‘ideal’ customer Build a market profile How will you reach your markets? Study the broader picture Identify any opportunities and threats Competitor analysis Pinpoint your competitors online Your direct competitors Where do you find them? Save time – go to the library Attend trade shows Your indirect competitors Focus on the immediate threats first What is your competitive advantage? Reducing the effects of competitors Create barriers against competitors Can you afford to start up? Assessing how much money you need to raise Calculating set-up costs and working capital Working capital Costing and pricing Common pricing methods Cash flow Managing external factors Your Legal Identity Tax compliance Occupational health and safety (OSH) Liability and Insurance Complying with business legislation Local authority compliance Business insurance Planning to import or export? Managing external factors checklist How to lower the risk Complete the basics Build credibility Reduce or reverse the risk Credibility tips Associate with the ‘right’ people Avoid the common pitfalls Plan for the unexpected Your own health and wellbeing Join business networks Develop your business and management skills Critical success factors Financials Changes in the marketplace Lower the risk checklist The business plan Use this business plan template for preparing your own business plan The business profile Executive summary Background Business management/advisors, networks and support Business environment Sustainability Relevant business achievements Other topics that might impact on your business Marketing Strategic planning How to complete a strategic plan Customer feedback Developing questionnaires Questionnaire tips Business analysis Market analysis To conclude How to complete a tactical plan Did the tactical plan work? Marketing budgets Building your credibility Your competitive advantages Finance Three key documents The profit and loss forecast Cashflow budget Steps in preparing a cash budget Special points The balance sheet Break-even calculation Your business idea: a quick test The Four Fives Rule New Zealand business structure, tax and compliance What business structure should you choose? Other Business Structures Keeping on top of tax Employing staff Compliance issues Planning for the future The five stages Day-to-day management of your business Potential problems and opportunities Planning: present and future One final reminder Additional booklets Choosing your team The recruiting stage Recruiting Selecting the right person for the job The motivating stage Performance appraisal Motivation Dismissal Retirement Summary Future thinking E-Commerce Types of e-commerce Benefits and risks Other opportunities What to consider before developing your e-commerce capability Becoming more e-commerce capable Summary Innovation Creating a culture of innovation Encouraging employee innovation Building innovation into your business practices Innovation and staff skills Innovation and your customers, clients and suppliers Researching innovation elsewhere Implementing innovative ideas Monitoring the level and success of internal innovation Protecting your intellectual property (IP) New futures What can you do? Raising investment funds What sources of funds are available? Are you ready to share control of your business? Do you have the right kind of business? How committed are you and your team? Funding by agreed goals or outcomes The need for an exit strategy Intellectual property you own Confidentiality agreement Structuring the deal Preparing your presentation Four final pieces of advice Exporting An export plan is a must Which market should you target? Finding trade information Market research Reaching the market The exporter’s market mix Summary Manufacturing The product The plant Locating the business Organising the sequence How staff impact on design What stocks of raw materials are needed? Resource efficiency How will the whole process be controlled? The impact of e-commerce Summary Industry sector influences Service businesses Retail businesses Summary Service business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Retail businesses Summary Retail business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Manufacturing businesses Summary Manufacturing business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Tourism businesses Summary Tourism business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Specialist industries Some final advice Be realistic about budgets Success characteristics Always invest in good people Selling Small steps to big improvement What the customer wants Planning ahead Environmental practices Summary