Thinking about starting a business? Have an idea to explore – or ready to launch? The MEC Resource Centre is here to support you

Start up business ideas

For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Set up a business

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Skills and wellbeing

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Business planning

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

Start up funding

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Tax and National Insurance

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Business law

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Sales and marketing

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Business premises

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Employees

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

Business IT

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Grow your business

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Top 20 questions that research could help you answer

Market research can give you valuable insights into your market, your competitors, your products, your marketing and your customers. Here are 20 questions that market research can help you answer

Who are your current customers? Who is currently buying your product or service?
Where do your customers congregate online? Are there particular social platforms or online groups where you can reach them?
What common traits do your customers share? What are these people's lives like and how can your product or service make it better?
Why are other people not buying your product or service? Which products and services do they choose instead and why.
Who would be interested in buying it in the future?
How many other people like this are there that you are yet to reach?
What general trends are affecting these people's lives at the moment?
Where would people buy your product or service from? Are there new routes to market you could and should be exploiting?
When, where and how would potential new customers use or consume it?
Why would they buy it? What need are they wanting to satisfy?
Who is your real competition?
What image do people have of your brand vs your competitors' brand?
What would be the ideal image for your brand to have? Does your current brand align with customer expectations or does it need a refresh?
What do target customers really think about your business? What do they think about the different aspects of your product or service (name, packaging, features, branding, advertising, pricing...)?
How are people using your product or service? If they are using it in a way you did not intend, it could present an alternative way for you to market the product.
How can you make your product or service better? What improvements could be made to your product or service to meet people's needs even better?
What is the single most important benefit your brand should be seen to be offering - and why would people believe this to be true?
How can you communicate that benefit to the people you're interested in attracting?
What is the right price to charge? Is a low price giving an impression that your product is low quality?
What other new products or services could you offer people?

Once you have the answers to these questions, you can formulate your marketing strategy, create your brand vision for your brand and develop a roadmap for getting there.