GCDA has particular expertise in running ‘start your own business training for any business. We have a specialist course in launching a food business.
Do you dream of working for yourself? Do you have a burning business idea that just won’t go away? Then our business start-up course can help you turn your dream into a reality.
Across eight sessions we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to planning and launching a business. Covering everything from company registration to product development, we’ll help you identify routes to market, show you how to manage your finances and market your services. We’ll teach you how to get started on the road to business success.
Led by tutors with decades of business experience, our course is perfect for anyone who is bored at work, has a desire to be their own boss, or those keen to find a way back to a rewarding, or more flexible, career after being away from the workplace.
The course involves a mix of classroom sessions, group discussions and independent market research. You’ll leave us with a refined business idea, the confidence to get started and a definite action plan to follow.
We’ve already helped a number of small businesses get off the ground, from street food stalls to interior designers. You could be next.
Led by industry experts, we will show you how to develop a product, create a brand, make yourself legal and find a route to market
Learn the best-kept trade secrets about how to run a successful food business. Increase skills and confidence in the practical elements of running your enterprise and build a complete business plan throughout the course so that you can be ready to trade in 10 weeks We will cover all the essentials needed to run a food business including legislation & compliance, product development, logistics, finance and costing a menu, promotions & branding and more!
Running your own business can be daunting. There is so much to think about, but having a strong online presence is essential for success. This 4-week online course will give you an excellent grounding in these essential skills. We will cover:
- Importance of Social Media to your business and understanding a social media health check.
- Instagram for business and linking to Facebook and Twitter
- Facebook for promotion and Twitter for business
- Quick and easy online websites
Run by an industry expert, this online course will include plenty of practical activities for you to get to grips with and time at the end to ask questions.
Effective Internet Use for Businesses
During this 3-hour session, learn how to use the internet to conduct effective research into your business saving valuable time and getting the best information. Learn about the most relevant accounts and online resources to maintain a customer base and run an efficient and successful business
This free 6-week course is aimed at start-up businesses wanting to set up their own website, this course will cover the basic principles of designing and building your own website from scratch. We will look at functionality including taking payments and bookings and explore design ideas that complement your business brand. By the end of the course, you will have a basic website on which to build and grow your business.
Financial Management for Businesses
Effective financial management is fundamental to the success of your business. This free 4-week course is specifically aimed at new business start-ups to build skills and confidence in financial management. We will take you through excel spreadsheets and how to use them for financial forecasting, budgeting and profit and loss and keeping simple accounts.
Post-Lockdown Recovery Course for Food Businesses
Aimed at all food businesses, this new free 2-week course seeks to support owners and staff to make changes to their business model to adapt to the changing world of Covid-19. We will explore ways to broaden customer base, new models for trading and how to re-open safely. An essential for any food business to grow and thrive now and in the future.