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Getting started

Taking the first steps

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Taking the first steps

Questions to ask yourself before you start 9-step guide to starting a business How to research your market and competitors Buying a business or franchise Registering with government agencies

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Create a business plan

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Choosing the right business structure

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Choosing the right business structure

Business structure overview Becoming a sole trader Starting a company Starting a partnership

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Business planning tools and tips

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Business planning tools and tips

Introduction to business planning How to write a business plan When business planning is right for you Getting business planning advice Keeping track of key metrics How to be environmentally sustainable Common business milestones – and how we can help

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Income and provisional tax in a nutshell

Building a brand

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Building a brand

Creating your brand Choosing a business name Developing your unique selling point Getting an online presence

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Simple steps to protect your IP

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Funding your business

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Funding your business

How much money do you need to start a business? Choosing the right types of funding Borrowing money Getting investors on board

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Advice and governance

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Advice and governance

Types of advice you’ll need How business advisors can help Getting financial advice Boards and directors Questions your board will ask

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Advice for contractors

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Advice for contractors

What to think about before you start contracting Managing your finances Insurance cover for contractors What to watch out for in contracts Finding contracting work Government help for sole traders

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Businesses structures

Advice on choosing the best one for you

How to grow

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How to grow

Boosting sales

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Boosting sales

Marketing and sales Exhibiting at trade shows Tips for tendering

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Operating at a loss?

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Growth and innovation

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Growth and innovation

Test if you are ready to grow Fostering innovation Teaming up with other businesses

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10 step business plan template

Quick-focus planning for growing businesses

Getting government grants

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Getting government grants

What can I get help with? Grants and help for your new business Grants and help for your established business Free government support and services

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Advice and governance

Get support from people who can drive your business forward

Importing and exporting

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Importing and exporting

Importing and exporting laws Questions to ask yourself before exporting International market research Advice on export planning Trade agreements and exporting rules Manufacturing overseas 10 tips before you import Importers and the Customs Service Biosecurity for importers

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How to protect your IP overseas

Planning to exit

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Planning to exit

Selling your business Stepping back from your business

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Operating at a loss?

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NZTE Capability development voucher

Co-funding to grow your skills.

Tax and accounting

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Tax and accounting

Basic tax types

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Basic tax types

Introduction to taxes and levies Income tax and provisional tax GST ACC levies

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Tax when you have employees

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Tax when you have employees

Payroll deductions PAYE KiwiSaver Employer superannuation contribution tax (ESCT) Fringe benefit tax (FBT) Employee allowances

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Which laws apply to you?

Use our Compliance Matters tool to find out

Business finance basics

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Business finance basics

Introduction to business finance Finance tips to help your business Getting paid on time Cash flow forecasting Depreciation: how to spread the cost of your assets What to do if your business is operating at a loss Business finance tools

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Reducing your tax

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Reducing your tax

How to reduce your tax bill Claiming expenses

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Tax time tips

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Tax time tips

How to make tax time easier Keeping tax records Systems that can help at tax time How to fix tax mistakes

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Insights and articles on the latest business topics

Closing down

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Closing down

Warning signs of trouble ahead Is closing your business the right choice? Closing your business Insolvency and involuntary closure

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Operating at a loss?

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Income and provisional tax in a nutshell

Hiring and managing people

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Hiring and managing people

Deciding to hire

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Deciding to hire

When to hire staff Hiring the right staff types Checking the cost of an employee Becoming an employer Alternatives to hiring an employee

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Hiring people

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Hiring people

Overview of the hiring process Advertising and interviewing Government help with recruitment Minimum pay rules Making a job offer Creating an employment agreement Trial periods and probations Hiring fixed-term and casual employees Hiring someone from overseas Employing your spouse or partner To-do list before your employee starts

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Thinking of hiring?

Use the Employee Cost Calculator to estimate costs

Handling holidays and leave

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Handling holidays and leave

Introduction to holidays and leave Paying employees for leave Annual leave Public holidays Sick leave Bereavement leave Parental leave Unpaid leave

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Managing people day to day

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Managing people day to day

How to set up a new employee Your employee's first day/week Personnel files and record-keeping Paying employees Handling bonuses and benefits Flexible working arrangements Policies and procedures Managing misconduct

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Guide to keeping people healthy and safe at work

Getting the best from people

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Getting the best from people

Performance appraisals Training and development Government help with training Handling poor performance Resolving employment issues Team restructuring

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Tips on keeping track of employee performance

Ending employment

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Ending employment

Employee resignation Employee retirement Employee redundancy Dismissal or termination Employee exit checklist

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Businesses structures

Advice on choosing the best one for you

Build employment agreements

Tailored to your business and everyone you employ

Risks and operations

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Risks and operations

Health and safety

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Health and safety

Health and safety basics How to assess health and safety risks What is 'reasonably practicable' Plans, tools and learning from incidents Worker engagement and participation Great toolbox talks How to approach workers about a health and safety issue Preparing for health and safety advice What to expect from WorkSafe visits

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Insights and articles on the latest business topics

Intellectual property protection

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Intellectual property protection

What is intellectual property Types of intellectual property Why intellectual property is important Simple steps to protect your intellectual property When to consider intellectual property Preparing for intellectual property advice Defending your intellectual property Protecting your intellectual property overseas

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Insights and articles on the latest business topics

Planning for the unexpected (BCP)

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Planning for the unexpected (BCP)

Emergency planning and continuity Natural disasters

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IT risk and avoiding scams

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IT risk and avoiding scams

Storing and protecting data Avoiding scams and fraud Protecting private information

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Dealing with customer complaints

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Dealing with customer complaints

When customers complain Understanding consumer laws Reducing risk of complaints Fair returns and complaints policies What you need to tell customers Training staff to handle complaints

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Equipment, premises and assets

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Equipment, premises and assets

Common business assets checklists Introduction to managing assets Resource Management Act for business

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Which laws apply to you?

Use our Compliance Matters tool to find out

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