Planning for success - making a business plan work for you 1-2-1

A business plan can be an essential tool for a startup serving as a roadmap for the business, outlining goals, strategies, and potential challenges. It provides a structured overview of the business idea, target market, competition, and financial projections.

Additionally, it can be an important tool when seeking funding or partnerships, as it demonstrates a thorough understanding of the business and its potential for success.

We offer two options for support and guidance around a business plan.

Option 1 – constructing a plan

This is for those considering writing a business plan or are in the very early stages of doing so. These are bookable sessions either held at Bristol Central Library or over Zoom with a member of the BIPC team.

In these sessions we will look at:

• Mapping out thinking - key aspects of setting-up and running a business.
• Approach to writing a business plan
• A variety of plan layout/approach options
• Business plan structure
• Explaining your business objectives
• What major information is needed in order to complete a plan.

Available times no good?

Please note, if the bookable time is not convenient, please call or email us and we will endeavour to find one that is.

We are here to support anyone in the Bristol area with a business idea or small-medium sized business. Not your region? Find your local BIPC to find out how they can help you: https://www.bl.uk/business-and-ip-centre/national-network

Option 2 - review and development of a plan

For individuals or businesses who have already commenced a business plan and seek to discuss their ideas or receive constructive feedback on existing plans, we provide the opportunity to consult with Nigel Lloyd-Jones, an experienced business professional.

In this free one-2-one Zoom session, Nigel will use the 7 Key components for a good business plan as the basis for the discussion.

• Business objectives
• Products and services
• Target market
• Competitive analysis
• Marketing plan
• Financial analysis
• Business structure

These sessions are by request only and will normally follow, if suitable, from an initial Start-up business 1:2:1 or from the constructing a plan session. Call or email if you would like to find out more.

ADVISOR

Nigel Lloyd-Jones initially worked for 20 years in various industries, holding a range of management positions within customer service, operations and business development in the UK and international markets. He has now spent another 20 years in business consultancy, which has at times included interim management of an area within a client’s company. In this time he has been involved with a broad range of industries, such as, healthcare, travel, finance, contact centres or IT.

As much as many clients have been large organisations, such as American Express, Easy Jet or GE Healthcare he has also supported smaller businesses from being a concept idea to existing businesses who have been faced with challenges.

He enjoys all aspects of operating a business and what it takes to move a company forward.

To support his interest in business he obtained an MBA via the Open University.

Ready steady grow supports businesses in the early stages of development. It offers a practical toolkit for start-ups with help on fundamental business needs.

Starting a business requires dedication, hard work and perseverance. It also involves learning and developing a myriad of new skills and understanding. This programme of interactive 2 hr workshops will focus on building up a range of skills over a number of core business needs including:

• Business essentials for pre-starts, planning, IP & research

• Marketing

• Accts/bookkeeping

• Sales

• Start-up sustainably

• AI

• Email marketing
• shops will run on a regular basis throughout the year. In addition. we will supplement these core areas with a range of additional stimulating 1-1s and workshop sessions covering other areas like recruitment, branding, website design and build, planning and even business coaching These will change over time with new ones being added. Keep an eye on our Eventbrite page or sign up to our newsletter to stay connected.

In order to provide the best support for you and your business ideas, we will be in contact with you by email before your appointment to find out a bit more about your small business.

Following the meeting, the Business & IP Centre will send you a link to a feedback form that helps us monitor and improve our events.

Helping you to start and grow your small business with free resources, 1:1 support, advice clinics & workshops

The Business & IP Centre Bristol supports people to start, protect and grow their businesses. Visit Bristol Central Library to access our free market research and intellectual property databases and take part in our regular programme of workshops and events.

BIPC Bristol is part of Bristol Libraries and the BIPC National Network.

FAQs

What is your refund policy?

Our events are free, but places are limited and events are usually oversubscribed. Please give two working days’ notice via email if you wish to cancel.

Can I attend if I'm not a member of the library?

Absolutely! Any Bristol based business or person with a business idea is welcome. Though we always recommend joining the library as it's free and will make accessing our databases, books and publications much easier.

How can I find out about any news & upcoming events?

Follow us on Eventbrite and you can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and events. For more information on BIPC Bristol check out our web pages: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/BIPC

Privacy policy statement

After you have attended one of our events we ask that you complete a short feedback form. We will use the information you provide to improve the services we offer in line with our legitimate interests. This information is collected and transferred to us by our third-party processor, Impact Reporting using their Impact Assessment Tool. Impact Reporting will retain your data to save time when completing any future feedback forms we may send you. For more information about how they use personal information, please see their privacy policy online at https://impactreporting.co.uk/legal/privacy-policy/

For information about how the British Library will use your personal data, you can view our Privacy Policy at https://www.bl.uk/about-us/privacy-policy

For information about how Business & IP Centre Bristol will use your personal data, you can view our privacy policy at: https://www.bristol.gov.uk/about-our-website/privacy