Business

General

• Work and production
• CV and examples
• Portfolio and presentation
• Contacts and networking

• a responsive website for desktop, mobile and tablet
• optimized for search, social and advertising
• facebook channel
• twitter channel
• youtube channel
• pinterest presence
• whatsapp/snapchat presence
• e-mail newsletter

• https://www.fourmilab.ch/etexts/www/barnum/moneygetting/ [1]

Social news

• https://www.reddit.com/r/business

• https://www.reddit.com/r/BusinessHub

• https://www.reddit.com/r/entrepreneur

• https://www.reddit.com/r/smallbusiness

• https://www.reddit.com/r/indiebiz/

• https://www.reddit.com/r/sideproject

• https://www.reddit.com/r/socialpreneur

• https://www.reddit.com/r/content

• https://www.reddit.com/r/copywriting

• https://www.reddit.com/r/contentstrategist

• https://www.reddit.com/r/content_marketing

• https://www.reddit.com/r/marketing

• https://www.reddit.com/r/askmarketing

• https://www.reddit.com/r/webmarketing

• https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO

• https://www.reddit.com/r/PPC - pay-per click

• https://www.reddit.com/r/growthhacking

• https://www.reddit.com/r/startups

• https://www.reddit.com/r/EntrepreneurRideAlong

• https://www.reddit.com/r/BusinessSchool

• https://www.reddit.com/r/uk_ecommerce/

• https://www.reddit.com/r/ecommerces/

• https://www.reddit.com/r/InternationalBusiness

• https://www.reddit.com/r/BusinessInsiders

• https://www.reddit.com/r/Consulting

Setup

• https://github.com/leonar15/startup-checklist - USA [2]

Business structure

• YouTube: Business Structure - playlist

So what is a business structure: Business structures are predetermined processes established by the government of each country through which a business chooses to govern itself, become liable for tax and keep important financial records.

It is a mouthful because I am trying to get everything into it. In other words a business structure is:

1. Established by the government
2. Helps an individual starting in business to be free to choose the structures they prefer (as long as they meet the criteria)
3. In place to determine the time and method of taxation

The good news is that none of the business structures chosen are cast in stone. It is possible to always change the structure you choose if you or your business has outgrown the process.

In the UK there are several types of business structures; the common ones are:

1. Self-Assessment aka Sole Trader aka Self-Employed
2. Limited Companies aka Ltd. aka Limited by shares
3. Charities aka CIO’s, aka Charity
4. Limited by Guarantee Companies
5. Community Interest Companies aka CIC
6. Partnerships
7. Limited Partnerships

• YouTube: Business Structures in The UK: 'Why You Must Have One' - Part 1 - Business Structure By Boomy Tokan

• PDF: qLegal ToolkitsUK Company Structure - Legal Advice Centre, Queen Mary Uni London

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_formation

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_company_law

You must set up the company with Companies House and let HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) know when the company starts business activities.

Every financial year, the company must:

• put together statutory accounts
• send Companies House an annual return
• send HMRC a Company Tax Return

The company must register for VAT if you expect its takings to be more than £77,000 a year.

If you’re a director of a limited company, you must:

• fill in a Self Assessment tax return every year
• pay tax and National Insurance through the PAYE system if the company pays you a salary

Pedlary

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peddler

• http://www.pedlars.info/

Sole Trader

• https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader

• http://www.smarta.com/advice/starting-up/starting-your-own-business/what-is-a-sole-trader

• Contractors rarely operate as sole traders

• https://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/unlimited-liability.asp

Partnership

• https://www.gov.uk/set-up-business-partnership

• Business Structures in The UK 'Partnerships' - Part 3 - Get A Business Structure By Boomy Tokan

Limited Company (LTD)

• https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_company_limited_by_shares

• http://www.contractoruk.com/limited_companies/

• How to: register a company in the UK

• Companies House
  • http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/gbf1.shtml
  • Company Registration

Company limited by guarantee (LBG)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_company_limited_by_guarantee

Limited liability partnerships (LLP)

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/set-up-and-run-a-limited-liability-partnership-llp

• https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-of-a-limited-liability-partnership/life-of-a-limited-liability-partnership-gpllp3

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_liability_partnerships_in_the_United_Kingdom

Limited liability company (LLC)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_liability_company

Community interest company (CIC)

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_interest_company

Business plan

• https://www.gov.uk/write-business-plan

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2943252.stm
• http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/need_help/enterprise_programme/help_with_your_business_plan.aspx
• http://www.guardian.co.uk/small-business-network/2012/jul/06/business-plan-writing-tips

• Writing a Business Plan : Startup Ideas - Sequoia Capital

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_proposition

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unique_selling_proposition

Social Enterprise

• http://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/

• http://www.socialenterprisescotland.org.uk/

• http://www.senscot.net/

• http://startups.co.uk/what-are-community-interest-companies-cics/

Work

• What to say when you’re asked to work for free

Freelancing

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6979277
• Life as a Mobile App Freelancer
• Everything I wish someone had told me (about freelancing)
• First month freelancing.
• Freelancing: A 6-Month Retrospective
• The other side of working for yourself
• My first year freelancing [3]
• 36 Places Mobile App Freelancers Can Find Clients

• http://markcampbell.me/tutorial/2013/05/23/how-to-work-remotely.html

• Ask HN: How do you sell yourself as a new freelancer to clients?
• Ask HN: How do you find clients?

• How To Become a Successful Freelance Web Developer (and Not Kill Your Career) [4]

• career.fork() - How To Thrive As A Freelance Developer, book

• How to Freelance and Travel the World: Part 1
• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5731198

• Ask HN: My wife needs something to do from home to make money...
• Ask HN: Your best passive income sources?

• Ramit Sethi and Patrick McKenzie on Getting Your First Consulting Client

• http://robertnealan.com/stop-freelancing/

• http://2013freelancetools.com/

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8704303

Contracting

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_contractor
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umbrella_company

• http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ir35/index.htm
• http://www.contractorcalculator.co.uk/contractors_ir35_compliant_contracts.aspx

• Contractor UK - home to the UK's IT contracting community
• http://www.contracteye.co.uk/

• http://www.contractoruk.com/first_timers/setting_up_your_contractor_company.html
• https://www.cloud9umbrella.com/Comparisons.aspx

• http://www.differencebetween.net/business/difference-between-freelance-and-contract/
• http://www.freelanceadvisor.co.uk/go-freelance-guide/who-am-i-freelancer-contractor-or-small-business/
• http://www.contractoruk.com/first_timers/why_companies_employ_contractors_a_contractor_s_view.html

• IPSE (The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed)

• Public Contracts Scotland
• https://online.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/

Consulting

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consultant

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Process_consultant

• http://newsite.roffey-groups.co.uk/wp-content/uploads2/The-Role-of-the-Internal-Consultant-booklet.pdf

• http://www.sjdaccountancy.com/about/ourservices/difference_between_contractor_and_consultant.html

• http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/project-management/10-mistakes-that-rookie-it-consultants-make/2693

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5739226

• https://training.kalzumeus.com/newsletters/archive/products_vs_services
• https://training.kalzumeus.com/newsletters/archive/services_vs_products

• http://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/b2ows/so_you_want_to_be_a_consultant/c0knerx
• http://unixwiz.net/techtips/be-consultant.html?p=np
• http://blog.pluralsight.com/2013/09/26/5-reasons-not-to-become-a-consultant/

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9674720

Proposals

• http://www.freelancer.co.uk/jobs/proposal-bid-writing/

• http://www.attendly.com/freelance-how-to-write-a-proposal/
• http://freelanceswitch.com/the-business-of-freelancing/writing-proposals/
• http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com/2012/02/9-elements-of-a-great-writing-proposal/

Examples

• http://www.inigo.net/ - edinburgh web design

Legal

• Business Insider: Startup Document Center - american

• http://opencorporates.com/
• http://companycheck.co.uk/

Contracts

• docracy - open legal contract collection and advice
  • http://www.docracy.com/topic/0qw8furvljv/top-legal-documents-for-freelancers?startPdfDownload=false

• https://www.docracy.com/649dkpe7g9/contract-killer-3
• http://www.docracy.com/0rgkbvacolg/independent-contractor-agreement-template?startOnComments=false
• https://www.docracy.com/5598/website-identity-design-contract

• http://www.docracy.com/9jsoij4itk/retainer-agreement

• https://www.docracy.com/4753/form-of-independent-contractor-agreement
• https://www.docracy.com/49/consulting-agreement
• https://www.docracy.com/367/consulting-agreement-for-hourly-work
• https://www.docracy.com/7380/independent-contractor-consultant-agreement

• https://www.docracy.com/3884/contract-of-works-for-web-design
• https://www.docracy.com/0ybo2bbkzaf/web-design-contract
• https://www.docracy.com/0yoo0svlhca/web-design-contract-dsundy-com
• https://www.docracy.com/71l7wi9w3a/web-design-branding-and-web-development-contract-

• https://www.docracy.com/topic/0ys7pdj8ble/designer-contracts?startPdfDownload=false
• https://www.docracy.com/3152/designer-sample-contract
• https://www.docracy.com/5152/short-form-design-contract
• http://www.docracy.com/0y3nkjcmkks/development-agreement-for-hourly-work

• https://www.clerky.com/ - USA business

• Just pay me.
• http://vimeo.com/22053820

IR35

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IR35

• https://www.gov.uk/topic/business-tax/ir35

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ir35-find-out-if-it-applies

• YouTube: Warr IR35

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6foQNWfN1xI

Licencing

See Free/open

• TL;DRLegal (Beta) - Lookup any software license shortly summarized in plain English.

• http://www.billthelizard.com/2012/05/which-open-source-license.html

• http://tos-dr.info/

Data Protection

See also Security

• https://www.gov.uk/data-protection-your-business
• How to Prevent a Snapchat Like Hack: Mobile App Security Guide
• A summary of the Data Protection Act 1998
• ICO: Need to notify under the Data Protection Act?

• http://www.startupdonut.co.uk/startup/business-law/q-a-data-protection-rules

Terms and conditions

• The Sale of Goods Act (SOGA) hub provides comprehensive and up to date guidance on the Sale of Goods Act for retailers and business support organisations.

• https://www.gov.uk/online-and-distance-selling-for-businesses

"Your business website must include your address and contact details, privacy policy, terms and conditions, exchange and refund policy, quality commitment and information about delivery and payment. Stock availability and pricing should be kept up to date and you must state how much VAT and post and packaging is payable per item." [5]

• http://www.retail-week.com/in-business/retail-surgery/how-can-online-retailers-ensure-that-their-terms-and-conditions-are-compliant/5045376.article

• http://www.selfridges.com/en/StaticPage/Terms%20and%20conditions/
• http://www.theplasticshop.co.uk/terms-and-conditions-of-use-and-buying-online-634-0.html

• http://www.legalcentre.co.uk/consumer/arts/online-shopping-rights/
• https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/providing-better-information-and-protection-for-consumers/supporting-pages/consumer-bill-of-rights

• http://www.e-terms.co.uk/

Trading standards

• Trading Standards - Fair Trading advice for businesses

• https://www.gov.uk/consumer-protection-rights

• http://simply-docs.co.uk/Website_Terms_and_Conditions/Website_Terms_and_Conditions_-_E-Commerce_Sale_of_Goods_B2C

• http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/cgi-bin/Aberdeen/bus1item.cgi?file=*BADV612-0100.txt
• http://retail.about.com/od/lossprevention/a/retail_returns_2.htm

• http://artsandcrafts.about.com/od/sellingonline/a/markingupforshippingcosta.htm

• http://www.imrg.org/imrgwebSite/user/pages/homepage.aspx

• https://www.gov.uk/starting-to-export

• http://www.docracy.com/0xsmvh1aw1q/open-global-e-commerce-privacy-policy

Duty

• https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tobacco-products-sell-duty-free-or-duty-paid

• https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tobacco-products-duty

Information

• OpenCorporates - The largest open database of companies in the world

Postage and packaging

See Delivery

Sales

• Beginner's Guide to Sales

• Ultimate Guide to SaaS Pricing by KISSmetric

• Pricing Tables: Examples And Best Practices

• Are “Shameless Plugs” Worth It? Some data

• The Horizontal Distribution Hack - “Send Your Friends a Diwali Gift” went viral in India the way “Free Gfits” never did. “Crazy Taxi” went viral the way “Free Flash Games” never did. “Seinfeld TV Quote Quiz” went viral the way “TV Quotes Quiz” never did. And the best part? This still works today. And even more powerfully on mobile.

• Business models [6]

• http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/12/18/i-analyzed-250-saas-pricing-pages-heres-what-i-found/ [7]

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_label - Private-label products or services are typically those manufactured or provided by one company for offer under another company's brand. Private-label goods and services are available in a wide range of industries from food to cosmetics to web hosting. They are often positioned as lower-cost alternatives to regional, national or international brands, although recently some private label brands have been positioned as "premium" brands to compete with existing "name" brands.

• https://www.reddit.com/r/PrivateLabeling

Mobile

• 8 Things Every Mobile App Developer Should Know

• 21 Awesome Mobile App Developer Resources You Don't Know About

Networking

• http://www.bgateway.com/events?search=Edinburgh

• http://www.meetup.com/Edinburgh-Entrepeneurs-Coffee-Success-Club/

• http://steveblank.com/2013/08/12/how-to-get-meetings-with-people-too-busy-to-see-you/

• http://onethingnew.com/index.php/work/433-how-i-learned-to-work-a-room-and-you-can-too [8]

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12278566

Lifestyle

• http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/is-the-term-lifestyle-business-an-insult/

Other

• http://www.supplychain247.com/

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13155589

• https://www.reddit.com/r/beermoney

Scotland

• https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12085559

Support

• http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/

Setting up

• http://www.access-partnership.co.uk/

• http://cre8te.co.uk/

• http://culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk/website/

Scottish Government

• Scottish Government - Help for business

Business Gateway

• Scotland's Business Gateway provides practical information and help to you and your business. Whether you are starting out or looking to grow your business, this site will help you find support, offer you the latest on regulation and tax, and provide an access point for other public sector services you might need now or in the future.
  • Business structures
  • Data protection
  • Events

Scottish Enterprise

• Scottish Enterprise has a management statement and associated financial memorandum drawn up by the Scottish Government's Business, Enterprise and Energy Directorate.
  • Fund your business
    • http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/fund-your-business/Innovation-and-RD-grants.aspx Innovation and R&D grants
  • Interactive Scotland
  • Creative Industries

Edinburgh

• Support for businesses - Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh University

• http://www.launch.ed.ac.uk/

Chambers of Commerce

• Scottish Chambers of Commerce

• http://www.businessmentoringscotland.co.uk/

• Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce

Social Enterprise

• Social Enterprise - Edinburgh Council

• Social Enterprise Scotland

• The Social Enterprise Academy

• Senscot - For Social Entrepreneurs in Scotland

• Firstport supports new and emerging social entrepreneurs across Scotland.

Other

• SCOTBIS (Scottish Business Information Service) National Library of Scotland access to market research reports, business databases, international directories, and business and trade journals.

• Scottish Business in the Community is one of the Prince's Charities in Scotland, supporting and challenging its private sector members and its partners to improve their impacts on the economy, environment and society.

• ScotlandIS- Trade body for the information and communications technologies (ICT) industry, ScotlandIS represents around 200 software, telecomms, IT and creative technologies businesses throughout Scotland.

• MEDIA Antenna Scotland - Creative Scotland also hosts and co-funds MEDIA Antenna Scotland, the information office of the European Union’s MEDIA Programme which offers a wide variety of funding for film, television and new media. MEDIA offers funding for development, training, distribution, markets and festivals.

• Creative Scotland offers a range of investment opportunities across the arts, screen and creative industries through a range of initiatives, projects and activities designed to develop talent, audiences and businesses across the country.

• Cultural Enterprise Office

• Business Networking Scotland South & East

• http://www.businessmentoringscotland.co.uk/

• http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/

• http://www.bids-scotland.com/

UK

• http://www.fsb.org.uk/

• http://www.mentorsme.co.uk/

• http://www.business-events.org.uk/

• http://www.nationalenterprisenetwork.org/

• http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/
  • http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/resources-and-events/Business-and-public-sector/

Europe

• Enterprise Europe Network
• Scotland Europa

Funding

• Funding Scotland - Signposting funding opportunities for Charities, Community Groups and Businesses around Scotland.

• Independent Students' Bursary (ISB)

• http://www.sdi.co.uk/

• http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/26/venture-assistance-a-philosophical-view-of-what-boards-should-and-should-not-do/

• http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/180_FundingAwards.html

• http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/support/16879

Remote

• https://nomadforum.io/

• http://hi.remotetogether.com/