Press Room

NatWest Does The Legwork For New Businesses
(05 June 2006 )

NatWest today launches a new service that will make it easier for people thinking about starting their own business to get all the research they need done for them. The new online service allows customers to enrol in a free, six week, 14-instalment business advice programme, which will be customised to their individual business idea and location.

In the first week of the course, subscribers are sent a daily start up guide covering the following issues, but tailored to their target market and location:

Day 1 – Planning to start up a business and information about a specific business idea
Day 2 – Researching a market
Day 3 – Choosing premises
Day 4 – Raising money to start a business
Day 5 – Starting up legally
Day 6 – Who to tell before stating a business
Day 7 – Who to ask for help, information and support in a specific region

After the initial 7 days, a further 6 weekly instalments will be sent explaining key issues around starting up and staying in business, including:

Week 1 – Thinking ahead
Week 2 – The risks and how to minimise them
Week 3 – Protecting your ideas and business interests
Week 4 – Grants and finance to get started
Week 5 – Red tape that you can’t avoid
Week 6 – What to do before you start selling

By the end of the course, any potential entrepreneurs will be equipped with all the information they need to put them on the path to success in their chosen sector and location.

Pete Ferns, Director of NatWest Business Banking, said: "Deciding to go it alone is a huge decision and one that cannot be made without careful consideration. NatWest’s Start up course will allow potential entrepreneurs to gather all the information they need on their business idea, in 14 easy to read instalments, giving it the jump start that every small business owner needs to make their idea a reality."

The service is available to both customers and non-customers of NatWest and can be found at www.natwest.com/newbusiness.