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Thinking about starting a business? Have an idea to explore – or ready to launch? The MEC Resource Centre is here to support you

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For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Employees

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

Resource topics

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Read our checklist on creating a workplace email policy, establishing security procedures and letting your employees know what's expected of them.
It’s not always financially feasible to invest in external training for all your staff. Read our tips on how to train staff without a huge layout.
Read our tips on keeping your staff trained so they can carry out their jobs effectively and with a minimum of stress.
Setting clear objectives and supporting learning in the workplace is a valuable investment. Here are our hints on planning for staff development.
For small firms, the loss of a key staff member can be devastating - so what can you do to keep employees happy and loyal?
They say that people don't leave the job, they leave the boss, which is true in many cases. So what do employers do to become known as a bad boss?
Top 20 employment facts you need to know to make sure your policies and procedures comply with the law.
Regulations covering wages and statutory pay apply to almost every business. Our guide to minimum and living wage, pay for new parents and sick pay.
Our overview of maternity, paternity, adoption and parental rights, including leave surrounding a birth or adoption, pay and time off for child care.
Businesses lose a lot of money through employee sickness. Read our guide to your obligations to ill employees and how to manage unauthorised absence.
Working parents are entitled to time off to care for their children. This Acas guide for employers explains the rules.
Almost all employees with at least 26 weeks’ service have the right to ask for flexible working. Advice on how to consider flexible working requests.
Find out the limits on the number of hours employees can work per week and the minimum amount of paid holiday and rest breaks they are entitled to.