Business guides
Unlock the potential of your business with our practical guides.
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Co-operatives video guide
Co-operatives can help create fairer, stronger and more resilient businesses. Learn more with our specialist advisers at Co-operative Development Scotland in our series of short videos.
Date: 10 Mar 2020 -
How to lead a successful international team
Understanding cultural differences is an essential tool to achieving organisational effectiveness, but managing international teams isn’t always straightforward. Leadership and business culture guru Erin Meyer shares her advice.
Date: 01 Oct 2019 -
Employee ownership video guide
Could switching to employee ownership help your business? Learn more with Glen Dott, a specialist adviser at Co-operative Development Scotland, and get the information you need in our series of short videos.
Date: 10 Mar 2020 -
What is equity funding?
If your business doesn't have the revenues or financial history necessary to successfully apply for a business loan, equity funding is another option.
Date: 06 Dec 2018 -
What is debt funding?
Debt or loan funding is often a cost-efficient way of getting the finance you need for the short to medium term.
Date: 06 Dec 2018 -
Raise finance using financial projections
Financial projections are a key management tool for any business and are an essential tool when fund raising. This guide covers financial projections, how they're created, and their role in business planning and raising finance.
Date: 20 Jan 2020 -
Raising equity funding
If your business needs money to grow, one of the options open to you is issuing new shares in exchange for investment.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
Securing equity investment
When you're raising equity to fund your business, you'll need to go through a several-step process. This guide explains the different stages and what you need to do in each step.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
Using your business plan to raise finance
This guide summarises what sections to include when preparing a business plan for raising finance.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
Tax relief schemes for raising equity
Government schemes designed to encourage investment into early-stage businesses.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
A guide to debt
Find out about the different types of debt available to you and which may be most suitable for your business.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
How banks make business lending decisions
A guide about the areas banks look at when they're deciding whether to fund your business.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
The legal process for receiving funding
This guide describes the process you need to go through to receive funding after your application has been accepted.
Date: 23 Jan 2020 -
Find the right export market for your business
Read our tips on how to find the right overseas market for your business, including international market research resources and live opportunities.
Date: 30 Jul 2018 -
Routes to international markets
Learn about the different routes your product can take to international markets.
Date: 30 Jul 2018 -
How to create a logistics plan for exporting
Read our guide to learn how to create a logistics plan suitable for exporting your company's products.
Date: 30 Jul 2018 -
How to set your export pricing
Setting your export price for a new market? Our guide can help you understand your costs and relevant pricing models, as well as how we can help.
Date: 30 Jul 2018 -
Debt vs equity funding
When you want to grow your business, you may want to look at external sources for finance. At this point, you have a choice of taking on debt or raising capital through the sale of equity.
Date: 22 Aug 2018 -
Export finance
Read this guide for advice on financing your export operations. Learn about how to budget, access funding and make sure you get paid. You'll also get five top tips on export finance.
Date: 30 Jul 2018 -
Business information: the essentials
Get our guide on where to find informative and reliable sources for your business information research.