Business planning and raising finance course

LOCAL Enterprise Office Wicklow is offering an online training course on business planning and accessing finance on Tuesday, March 3 from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

The impact of Covid-19 and the challenges of Brexit has made it even more important for businesses to have a business plan. The future direction for any business is captured in its business plan. In this regard, the cornerstone of any financial loan application is the business plan. The first half of the workshop is devoted to the business plan, focusing on research, content and structure.

It will also cover how to write a business plan for an investment proposal for a grant or financing application - the critical elements that must be included and how to complete the document, including the executive summary.

The workshop will also provide general information on the types of loan finance available to SMEs from lenders such as the mainstream banks, credit unions and specifically the revised MFI loan offerings (Microfinance Ireland). In addition to this, other types of financing will be discussed, such as leasing, invoice discounting, crowd funding, etc.

The trainers will give plenty of tangible examples of common reasons why loans are refused, and there will be reference made to the mechanism for appealing refused applications, including the Credit Review Office.

Part one of the meeting will focus on business planning, while accessing finance and banks makes up part two of the workshop, which costs €10 in order to take part. See https://www.localenterprise.ie/Wicklow/ for further details.