Quality business advice is indispensable for successful start–up and continuing sustainability. Often, however, advice on its own is not enough. wirralbiz experience shows clearly that most, if not all business starts would benefit considerably from some form of practical support. This can be divided into the following categories:

• Marketing and sales support
• Business administration
• Specialist Seminars & Discussion Groups
• In-house Design Studio
• Use of wirralbiz centre facilities

Marketing & Sales Support

New business will only be gained through some form of action. While eventually, Relationship Marketing tactics will be the predominant activity employed by most small businesses; this can only be used once a sizeable customer base has been created. To start potential customers must be attracted by more basic (and expensive) means. The major methods are likely to be a ‘pick and mix’ from local newspaper advertising, leaflet distribution, direct mail, the telephone and the use of the Internet.

• Newspaper advertising wirralbiz on a regular basis buys full page advertising space in the Wirral weekly ‘freesheet’ papers. The full page is divided into different sized ‘spaces’ which may be purchased by wirralbiz programme participants at a cost considerably lower than the newspapers published rate. Real value is provided not just by more impact at a lower cost but also by increased readership potential through a free prize draw sales promotion offering.

• Leaflet Distribution Though response rates are low, leaflet distribution offers an extremely low cost way of reaching potential customers. Many established, highly profitable businesses use leaflets as their main marketing tool. wirralbiz offers heavily subsidised rates for graphic design to ensure impactful communication of your sales message. Next, full colour digital print again at discounted rates. Finally, efficient leaflet distribution at the lowest possible cost.

• Direct Mail For businesses whose potential customers are not economically reached by leaflet distribution, direct mail will be a serious option. wirralbiz can assist in the selection of customers for the mailing list; help in copywriting and graphic design and print.

• The Internet

Business Administration

To fail to build a solid customer base, the reason most businesses fail is cash flow, or more precisely lack of it. In a concerted effort to ensure that wirralbiz participants do not succumb through lack of financial planning and bookkeeping a practical solution is available.

Before, or immediately after, the business start, prospective entrepreneurs are encouraged to participate in a short seminar led by an accountant focusing on understanding a specific financial manager software package. Copies of this software are installed on computers at wirralbiz centre and are available at any time during centre open times. Owner-managers can collate invoices and bills into convenient categories and bring the information to wirralbiz centre, enter it into the computer and let the software do the laborious number – crunching. Professional advice is available to help analyse the data provided by the software. From this information immediate action can be taken to ensure survival or positively to capitalise on favourable circumstances to the full.

Those new businesses who have demonstrated that they have followed advice and done their bookkeeping on at least a monthly basis may be eligible for a heavily subsidised professional service for the end of year accounts and completion of H. M. Revenue and Customs and self assessment forms.

Specialist Seminars & Discussion Groups

Most new business starts do not possess the resources to employ specialists to undertake some, often vital, activities. The seminars have been designed to provide specific information to enable owner – managers to do these activities themselves with an acceptable degree of professionalism. From its own market research wirralbiz has determined that these subjects are of particular interest. Participation on specific wirralbiz programmes will determine whether these seminars are free or available at heavily subsidised rates. 

In-house Graphic Design Studio

wirralbiz boasts its very own in-house Graphic Design Studio, with designers on hand Monday to Friday to offer the design of any material you may require. From your initial corporate indentity and a simple business card through to leaflets, brochures, signage, stationery and websites, this service is brought exclusively to wirralbiz members at rates vastly reduced from standard commercial costs.

wirralbiz also offer print services with a wide variety of great deals on the professional printing of your business stationery and promotional literature.