The Be Your Own Boss Zone is sponsored by

We've brought together a collection of articles and links useful for anyone considering becoming their own boss - whether they plan to go it alone, purchase a franchise or opt for a direct sales opportunity.

Starting up - a practical guide to starting your business from Business Link

Getting started in business - a guide from HM Revenue and Customs

A comprehensive guide to starting your business

Starting a Home Business - your guide to starting a home based business

What's involved in becoming a franchisee?

Direct selling as a means of becoming your own boss - a guide from the DSA

Starting an Ethical Business - support for the ethical entrepreneur

Useful links for information about starting a business:

The African and Caribbean Business Network
A business support organisation for African and Caribbean Businesses in the UK. Their aim is to build upon entrepreneurial spirit to help it realise its full potential and attain sustainability and growth.

Business Link
Business Link is a government funded agency that provides information, advice and support needed to start, grow and maintain a business.

Business Gateway
Business Gateway is the Scottish equivalent of Business Link, delivers an effective one stop shop to help you grow or start your business.

Inventor Resource
Comprehensive, expert advice for inventors, including design, patent and legal issues.

Regional Development Agencies
Regional Development Agencies are strategic drivers of regional economic development. They promote business efficiency, investment and competitiveness and develop skills for relevant employment.

Women's Business Development Agency
Women's Business Development Agency provides women with the specific support and advice they need to start and sustain their own business.

Enterprising Britain 2006
A nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in Britain, promoted by the Small Business Service, an agency of the Department of Trade and Industry, and offering information and best practise on enterprise.

The British Library
The UK's national library holds vast business research resources in its Business and IP Centre in London. Access to the resources is free.

The UK Patent Office
The UK Patent Office is the UK body that is responsible for copyright, designs, patents and trade marks.

Intellectual Property
Intellectual Property offers all the resources needed to find a way through the IP jungle of copyright, designs, patents and trade marks.

Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys
A non-profit advisory service with a mass of information on patents as well as a directory of registered patent attorneys around the UK.

UK Trade and Investment
UK Trade and Investment is the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK.

HM Customs and Excise
HM Customs and Excise is responsible for collecting the bulk of tax revenue, as well as paying tax credits. It offers free advice on tax, PAYE and VAT returns.

ACAS
ACAS is the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service which can offer impartial advice on legal queries, working with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.

Prince's Trust
The Prince's Trust a charity that offers financial and practical support, mentoring and training to 14-30 year olds.

Learn Direct
Learn Direct offers free personalised career advice through a network of online learning centres across the UK.

Small Business Advice Service
Small Business Advice Service offers free online advice to small businesses.

The Department of Trade and Industry

Working to create the conditions for business success and help the UK respond to the challenge of globalisation.

The National Federation of Enterprise Agencies
A network of independent, not for profit local agencies committed to responding to the needs of small and growing businesses by providing a comprehensive range of services.

Enterprise Insight
Help for business ideas and the organisation promoting the annual Enterprise Week initiative.

Chambers of Commerce
A national network of quality-accredited Chambers of Commerce with links to businesses of all sizes.

Dedicated to championing entrepreneurship and the burgeoning workforce of home-based businesses in the UK, BT Business is key sponsor of the ‘Be Your Own Boss’ zone at One Life Live 2008.

BT Business has a strong track record in helping aspiring entrepreneurs set up and run their businesses anytime and anywhere, providing valuable information on important business and technology issues such as flexible working, serving customers, controlling costs and managing growth. It specialises in offering a range of IT and communications services and support designed exclusively for smaller businesses.

At One Life Live, individuals keen to set up or grow their first business venture - whether from home or an office space - can visit the BT Business stand (K2) to discuss how you can exploit the potential of technology to help you realise your business dream, and not just survive but thrive.

Experts will be on hand show you how you can save time, money and hassle with one-stop-shop packages for your essential business communication needs, such as BT Business One Plan, which combines all of your landline, mobile, broadband and IT needs to get up and running quickly. There will also be on-stand demonstrations of the range of free IT and communication services BT offers, from online sales and marketing tools like BT Tradespace to services like BT Business Builder, that helps manage the fundamental, day-to-day running of a business such as financial, legal and administrative elements.

For more information on BT Business activity at the exhibition, visit www.bt.com/insight.