John McMillan's Articles

Articles on Starting a Business

I provide a range of services to new companies ranging from mentoring through to interim management. I am available as a speaker, advisor or director. If you are starting a company, I hope you find these articles useful. If you need help in creating a company, do get in touch, I may well be able to answer your questions, develop your plans, and make things happen.

How to Start a Business

• Questions you need to ask when planning a new venture
• To succeed you need the right product and the right team
• How to go about creating both
• How to develop and launch the venture

The Basics of Business Finance

• The sources of finance for business
  • Grants, bank loans, business angels and venture capitalists
• The differences between them
• What the various backers want to see

What Are Your Customers Actually Buying?

You may think you know, but if you really talk to your customers and see your business from their perspective, not yours, you could be in for a surprise.  Get this wrong and you will be in trouble, get it right and you could double your profits.

Introduction to Marketing

If you get the marketing right and have the right management team, you will succeed.  This is a Powerpoint Presentation given to the Flying Start rally in Newmarket in November 2006.  It includes:

• Key questions before you start
• Why customers choose a supplier – the 4Ps of marketing
• Comparisons of methods such as advertising, mail shots, telesales, web sites and exhibitions.
• The less obvious and cheaper ways to reach your customers.

Special Articles

Setting up a Software House

Packaged software is not the same as bespoke software. This article looks into the differences.
"How to Start a Business", above, gives advice on setting up a business.

Creating a Spin Out Company

Many universities and other research organisations have developed valuable inventions. They are aware that they can exploit these to bring in useful funds. This article outlines the process of spinning out and exploiting an invention.

Did these articles help?  Would you like other topics covered, or questions addressed?  I'd love to know.  Click here to make suggestions or ask a question.

Best regards

John