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The tools of your trade

by Lynne Franks seed logo

Lynne Franks talks about getting the practical tools for your new business together.

Your practical tools will obviously vary according to the industry and enterprise youve decided on. However, most businesses need certain basic office essentials, such as a computer, fax and telephone.

Even if your office is in your home, youll also need:

a printer
fax machine
desk
a comfortable chair
filing cabinet
bulletin board

And if you live in a busy household a second phone line.

Youll need stationery, even at this early phase of your enterprise, but, until you finalise the name of your company and where youll ultimately be located, this will merely be your interim stationery. Just use your personal name, and include your home address or a postal address, along with your phone number, fax number, and email address on some official-looking letterhead. You can either print this on your computer or have it printed at any local photocopier or print shop.

Business cards are an essential networking and researching tool. Again, just have your personal details on the card and make it readable and clean looking. There is software available to do this on your computer, or they can be printed inexpensively at local printers.

You also need the smaller office utensils for your desk: the stapler, the paperclips, and, of course, the little yellow Post-Its, so no one, including you, forgets your messages. And then there are, of course, the specific tools for your chosen business. It is important to emphasise how easy it is to buy recycled professional equipment at reasonable prices through the Internet and the classified trade and consumer press.

List the specific tools of your trade

Start making a list of all the items and tools you are going to need to open your business. Include a shopping list for your basic office equipment and keep the list in a virtual or actual file tilted My Tools. Then start tearing adverts or information about new or second-hand equipment from specialist magazines, Internet sites and the local press as well as collecting stationery catalogues to put in your file.

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