2011, 2nd Quarter Statistics for the GEA
In the second quarter of 2011 the Guernsey Enterprise agency saw 76 new clients, which as on a par with the first quarter. However this is down on the same quarter in 2010 which indicates a continuation of the slow client take up in numbers which has gone on for the last three quarters. The [...]
New Site Sponsors added to website
As we enter the last week before the new website is due to be launched, we have been busy adding the new site sponsors to the site, along with their valuable incites into doing business in Guernsey. Specialist areas such as the Financail and Legal aspects of starting a business have been added, thanks to [...]
Giving your Business Wheels!
Many people get stuck with the idea that the customer should come to them, believing that bricks and mortar and a good location should be the answer to creating a good business. However this isn’t the case for everyone and there are many businesses out there that would benefit from some “out of the box” [...]
Premises – the big expense!
The Guernsey Enterprise Agency can help new or existing business in a number of ways and finding the right premises is one of them. That doesn’t mean that we are some kind of estate agent; what it does mean is that we will look at the choices you have, the terms of the lease, if leasing, and help you make the right decisions as regards the future home for your business.
GEA Enquiries Reach New High
With summer upon us this is usually a quieter time for the Guernsey Enterprise Agency as everyone is either on holiday or too busy to think about taking a new direction and starting a business.
However 2009 has bucked that trend with June and July seeing a record number of people visiting the agency to discuss their business ideas. For the last two months client numbers have doubled over the same period in 2008. In fact June saw the highest client numbers the Agency had ever seen since January 2008 and July raised the bar even further.
GEA Establishes Network of New Businesses
The Guernsey Enterprise Agency is currently developing a new website to promote the activities of new and small businesses in Guernsey.
www.guernseynetwork.com is designed to promote businesses that have been to see the Agency and who want some help with their online marketing. A listing on the website is free and searches on Google for companies listed on the new site regularly appear on the first page of the search engine, offering people a great chance to be found by anyone looking for their business or generally searching for their type of service.
Paying for Professional Advice can save you money!
The Guernsey Enterprise Agency is a free and confidential service. When you come to see us we can brainstorm your ideas, think outside the box, give you advice on actions you will need to take and give you useful information to help you start your business. As a free service many people might think that they can also save themselves the cost of an accountant or an advocate by coming to see us. However the Agency does operate under a simple mantra which states: “We are not a substitute for Paid Professional advice”.
Practical Help for Inventors at the Enterprise Agency
From Tuesday 6th July, the Guernsey Enterprise Agency (GEA) will be offering inventors and companies further practical and professional help on a regular basis.
David Stanley will be at the GEA on the first Tuesday of every month, providing free preliminary advice for up to an hour, to local inventors and business people who need to know how to go about protecting their creativity.
Stanleys is the only firm of European Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys practising in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, and this is a great opportunity for local people to get local advice – free! David established his firm in Alderney in 1997, since then he and his colleagues have provided Intellectual Property (IP) advice throughout the Channels Islands.
BA introduces Drama Academy to Dubai
In January 2010 it was announced that British Airways would make available 10 free flights to Guernsey owned companies that were looking to grow their businesses internationally. The offer arrangements were organised by the Guernsey Enterprise Agency in conjunction with British Airways and with the support of the Commerce and Employment Department.
As a result of that offer the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy was successful in being allocated a flight to Dubai to enable them to meet a potential Franchisee for their very successful Guernsey based Drama Academy Franchise.
Research – the Key to Success!
Research is a key element of starting a business, but all too often it is either forgotten or ignored. Research is without doubt the key to making a success of a business but it has to be done properly and needs to be relevant to what you are setting up. It also has to be realistic.
For many people who believe there is a need or a niche for their new business idea, that belief is sufficient for them to make the decision to go ahead and start their business. In reality their belief should be just the first step to then proving there is a need for that business.
In Guernsey in particular you also need to be aware of the potential for new businesses, particularly in leisure or creative areas to have a short life. Once we have all tried the latest new thing, we don’t necessarily want to do it again. This can skew first year takings in the business and then lead to downward spirals in income and increased expenditure in marketing as you try to maintain income levels.
