So, you have decided that being an employee is no longer for you. You are finally in charge of your working life! No more bosses to please, no more employees to supervise, manage or train. Freedom! Or is it?

Here are some key questions you may want to consider before you take the final decision.

1. Your Values and Work Ethic

- Do you enjoy working alone?
- Are you self motivated?
- Are you prepared to put the effort in to be successful?

2. What to do?

- How will you organise your work?
- Will you set yourself up as a consultant?
- Will you become an interim manager?
- Will you form a company and employ others?

3. Keeping Yourself Up to Date

- How will you keep up-to-date with your area of expertise?
- How much will it cost to do so?
- Are you a member of the right organisations so that you can access free information?
- Can you attend conferences on a regular basis?
- Do you have access to the right publications?
- Do you have a budget to support your training needs?

4. Your Brand

- What is your brand?
- How will you translate your brand onto printed materials?
- How will this translate onto your website?
- What does your brand say about you?

5. Your Offering

- What exactly are you offering to your clients?
- What are the features and the benefits?
- Will your prospective clients understand what you do?
- How will you explain it and in what formats?

6. Marketing Brand You

- How will you market yourself?
- Will you have a website?
- Have you researched all of the methods of marketing?
- Which methods appear most appropriate for you?
- Have you decided upon a marketing strategy that you can work to during the first 12 months?
- Have you assigned a budget for your marketing efforts?

7. Networking

- Have you included formal networking as part of your marketing plan?
- Have you researched local networking groups that are appropriate to you and your business or service?
- Do you have a group of people that will form the basis of your networking group?
- Do you have your 60-second introduction ready?

8. Formalising Your Business

Will you:

o Be Self Employed

o Form a Partnership

o Form a Limited Company
- Have you researched the best way forward for you and your new business or service?

9. VAT

- Do you know and understand the rules on VAT?
- Do you need to be registered now or later?
- Do you need to be VAT registered in order to carry out your business or service from day one?

10. Accounting

- Are you organised?
- Do you keep your paperwork in order?
- Will you need a bookkeeper or will you do this yourself?
- Who is your accountant?

11. Equipment

- What type of equipment will you need?
- What budget do you have for this equipment?

12. Premises

- Are you going to work from your home?
- Do you have a suitable room to convert to your office at home?
- Are you going to rent an office?
- Will you rent premises?
- Do your premises reflect the business you are in?
- Will your clients view you as being professional?

13. Professional Indemnity Insurance

- What insurance will you need for your business or service?
- How much cover will you need?
- What must be covered by your insurance?

14. Membership of Professional Bodies

- Which professional bodies are most appropriate to your business or service?
- Are you already a member or do you need to become one?
- How can you raise your profile as a member?

There are many things to consider before starting up a business or service on your own and the above will help you to focus on the key considerations.

It is better to spend the time in advance of launching ‘Brand You’ than to have to revisit these issues at the same time as running your business.

Good luck with your new venture.

J Child MA, Chartered FCIPD is an HR and Development Consultant and Career Coach who helps individuals with career changes, whether enforced by an employer or through personal choice. With vast experience of recruitment, selection, coaching and development, help can be provided with all aspects of career progression from the initial decision through to the first few months of employment. If you would like some help with your career visit http://www.careerchanges.org.uk

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