Guide to Starting a Business

Getting Started

All businesses need expertise in the areas of accountancy, general management, marketing and/or production.

A successful business is one that clearly determines its aims, and uses its resources to achieve those aims.

• Step 1 : Analyse Objectives
• Step 2 : Evaluate Potential
• Step 3 : Determine your Business Structure
• Step 4 : Assess Profitabilty
• Step 5 : Register Business Name
• Tips for Success

Step 1: Analyse Objectives

If you want to start a business, the first step is to analyse your objectives honestly.

• What skills do you have and what skills can you acquire?
• Will you find it interesting? (You will be spending a lot of time with the business, so it's important you enjoy it)
• What do you hope to get out of it?
• What do you wish your business to achieve? >

Experience shows that your business is more likely to be successful if there is a matching of your skills, experience, knowledge and interests with the business. Your business should build on your talents and be one in which you will remain enthusiastic and aware of your customers' needs. From the range of business opportunities available, choose the one that appeals to you and for which you have (or can obtain) the skills and resources needed.

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Step 2: Evaluate Potential

The second factor in choosing the right business is to assess the value and viability of the business. To start and operate a successful business, you must first gain a thorough knowledge of the business and its customers and competitors. You will also need:

• Technical know-how to produce a product or services
• Sales and marketing skills
• Financial ability to plan and control the money matters
• Capital.

If you lack any of these skills, you may need to bring in partners, employees or consultants who have them, or acquire the skills yourself. It is important to realistically appraise the business' total capital requirements, by determining:

• The cost of all plant, equipment, etc that the business needs
• The working capital requirements for stock, accounts receivable (debtors) and operating expenses such as rent, power and wages during the development period, until the business can generate sufficient cash flow from sales to become self sustaining.

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Step 3: Determine Your Business Structure

The three main types of business structure* used by small businesses are:

1. sole trader / sole proprietor;
2. partnership; or
3. company.

Some (but not all) of the advantages and disadvantages of the three types are set out below. It is important to choose the business structure that best suits your needs. Your accountant or solicitor can help you resolve this question.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Sole Trader / Proprietor	Sole Trader / Proprietor
easy to establish with little cost or formality all profits to owner owner has full control losses can be offset against other income	limited to the funds and capital available to the owner owner is personally liable and responsible for all debts of the business
Partnership	Partnership
tax liability can be split greater access to capital and skills share responsibility for running the business	unlimited liability of each partner decision making can become deadlocked personality problems may arise
Proprietary Limited (Pty Ltd) Company	Proprietary Limited (Pty Ltd) Company
separate legal entity shareholders liability is limited can be formed by one or more persons not terminated by death or bankruptcy of a shareholder shareholders can include minors	higher establishment costs and on-going costs company structure is more complicated liable for company tax dissolution can be complex/costly Directors have substantial obligations under Corporations Law

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Step 4: Assess Profitability

Let's face it. You go into business to make a profit, that's essential if you are going to stay in business. But how can you tell whether or not you will make a profit?

There are many things that have to be taken into account in order to arrive at a fairly accurate estimate of the annual costs of running a business. When starting a new business, you will need to spend some time researching the likely costs, so that you can estimate your weekly or monthly "break-even" point.

You can use the following list of costs to help prepare your estimate. Not all costs will be applicable to every business, and depending on your particular business, there may be additional items which need to be considered.

Establishment costs

• fit out
• sign writing
• phone & fax
• power, water & gas
• equipment && furniture
• rent / lease in advance
• security deposit
• stock / raw materials
• advertising & promotion
• licences & permits

Employees

• wages, salaries, bonuses, overtime
• holiday pay
• sick leave pay
• long service leave provision
• fringe benefits
• workers compensation insurance
• staff training
• clothing, uniforms, personal protective equipment, etc
• staff amenities
• superannuation

Trading

• stock & raw materials
• bank fees & interest
• leasing or hire purchase
• maintenance of plant, machinery, vehicles, etc
• motor vehicle, registration & insurance, running costs, etc
• depreciation
• advertising & promotions
• market research
• provision for bad debts

Premises

• rent
• rates & taxes
• mortgage interest
• repairs & maintenance
• security services
• insurance, buildings, public liability, professional indemnity
• cleaning

Administration

• phone & fax
• postage
• stationery & printing
• office supplies
• insurances
• office equipment, maintenance, service, depreciation
• accountancy fees
• Directors' fees (for companies)
• solicitors fees & legal expenses
• selling commissions & retainers
• packaging
• delivery & freight costs
• contractors & sub-contractors
• equipment hire
• licences & permits
• inspection fees
• workshop tools, parts, etc
• professional memberships & subscriptions
• payroll tax

Proprietor

• personal drawings
• sickness & accident insurance
• other insurances
• income tax (Pay As You Go)

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Step 5: Register Business Name

A business name is a trading name under which a business can operate. Registration of your business name effectively gives you the right to trade under that name in the Northern Territory.

Registration of a business name is compulsory when you trade under a name other than your own, however, it does not give you any proprietary rights to the name unless registered as a trademark.

• Click here to search for a Business Name - Using the Australian Securities & Investments Commission National Names Index website.
• Click here to register your Business Name - Download the application form, procedures and schedule of fees.
• Click here to renew your Business Name - Using the online renewal system (Transact NT secure website).

Visit or contact your nearest Territory Business Centre for more information on registering a business name.

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Tips for Success

1. Learn as much as you can about your proposed business. Ask questions. Join industry associations. Is there a need for the product or service you are going to offer?

2. Accept the fact that starting a business always takes more money than you anticipate.

3. Study successful competitors carefully.

4. Don't go into business with the sole objective of making a lot of money. Chances are you won't. But if you put service, quality, and customer satisfaction first - the money will follow.

5. Be willing to work harder and longer than you have ever worked before. Forget about the eight hour day and the forty hour week.

6. Keep complete and accurate records for tax purposes, for your banking needs, and most importantly, for your own guidance.

7. Ensure you have the right people for the right job.

8. Find a lawyer, accountant, banker, and insurance agent and confer with them as needed. Now is the time to develop these relationships.

9. Run it yourself. Beware of absentee ownership. No one will look after your money, your property and your business like you will.

10. Prepare a comprehensive business plan before investing your money into a business venture. Planning is the key to the survival of your business.

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