We now run regular business support drop-ins in libraries throughout West Sussex. At these events we will introduce you to COBRA, the online business adviser, which provides access to over 1,000 factsheets, start-up guides and sector reports. It also has a directory listing over 3,000 business support and funding schemes. You'll also learn about the online service Law and Business. 

Come and hear how we can help at one of our free drop-in sessions and get your business off to a flying start!

All library events are listed on the What's On in Libraries page.

Chichester Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) supports local businesses in the Chichester area in a variety of ways including monthly networking events.  At the June event, Geoffrey Redman, Information Librarian based at Chichester Library, gave a talk about how West Sussex County Council is investing in online resources to help establish and grow small and medium sized businesses.

COBRA includes two important databases for business planning. Business Opportunity Profiles (BOPs) cover different business roles or types, eg Florist, Coffee Shop, Car Mechanic. Business Information Factsheets (BIFs) cover the support and admin areas that all new and existing businesses need to consider. These useful reports are grouped together under the following broad headings :

· Business support and advice

· Employing and managing staff

· Exporting and importing

· Finance

· IT and e-commerce

· Marketing and promotion

· Running a business

· Starting up

· Tax, National Insurance and VAT

· Trading legally

Within each of these areas there are factsheets covering specific topics in detail. As an example, there are more than 50 BIFs in the ‘Starting up’ section such as ’20 Tips to Help You Choose a Business Idea’, ‘Business Networking’ and ‘Marketing Strategy’. Each factsheet is broken down into clear sections with links to other relevant BIFs as well as lists of useful contacts. You won’t need all of the factsheets that COBRA provides but you will definitely need some!

COBRA can be accessed free of charge in any West Sussex library, once you are a library member. There you will be able to print or download the factsheets you need.

Google Digital Garage is a new online learning suite designed to help new businesses understand and engage with the online world. There are twenty three topics which can all be studied independently. Each one contains a series of short video tutorials, followed by brief quizzes to check understanding.

The topics include :

· Build your web presence
· Get started with analytics
· Get noticed with social media
· Make mobile work for you
· Build your online shop

Each topic contains a series of short video tutorials, followed by brief quizzes to check understanding.

To make best use of Digital Garage, begin by listing what you hope to achieve by taking your business online. You will then be given a list of appropriate topics to work through. Once a topic is completed you will be awarded a digital “badge”. Completion of all twenty three leads to a Google certificate.

The Digital Garage certificate is a good way to make your CV stand out, indicating that you possess genuine digital skills and are motivated to learn in today’s business world. 

Getting into business & economics courses. (2017; 12th edition) by Michael McGrath

This guide offers detailed advice and up-to-date information on what you need to do to secure a place on a business course. It clarifies the different areas of study available and provides concise and accessible advice to guide and focus students when seeking work experience. This book also describes the career options are available when a degree is completed with useful case studies for students considering the many possible options open to them after university.

One minute mentoring, how to find and work with a mentor - and why you'll benefit from being one (2017) by Kenneth H. Blanchard

In One Minute Mentoring, Ken Blanchard and Claire Diaz-Ortiz provide a systematic approach to intergenerational mentoring, giving the reader great insight into the power and influence of mentoring and encouraging them to pursue their own mentoring relationships. The book's authors use a parable format to show why developing effective communication and relationships generations can support both companies and individuals.

Rest, why you get more done when you work less (2017) by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

Overwork is the new normal with ‘resting’ meaning late-night TV binges or hours spent on social media. In this book Alex Soojung-Kim Pang offers a way for us to be more productive and fulfilled in all areas of our lives. Working better does not mean putting in longer hours: it means working less and resting better, 'deliberate rest' is the key to getting more done. Drawing on neuroscience theories the author shows how to go about working more productively and provides nice examples from authors and CEOs. Rest is packed with tips for upping downtime - from sleep to hobbies to holidays to bring balance to readers’ lives.

Hunch, turn your everyday insights into the next big thing (2017) by Bernadette Jiwa

In this book Bernadette Jiwa shows you how to harness the power of intuition to recognize opportunities others miss and create the breakthrough idea the world is waiting for. She explores inspired hunches, such as one that led to the launch of a breakout brand, to another that helped reduce infant mortality. This book also looks at practical, actionable ways to discover and unpack an idea and turn it into an action.

Red teaming, transform your business by thinking like the enemy (2017) by Bryce G. Hoffman

Developed by the military, red teaming is a revolutionary way to stress-test strategies, check for missed opportunities and find threats early. This process can help any company plan better, anticipate threats and avoid disastrous mistakes in any area from product launches to business acquisitions. This book aims to provide clear tools to enable organizations to make smarter choices and turn disruptive events into opportunities. It also demonstrates how to overcome the blind spots and biases businesses and people fall victim to when trying to solve complex problems. 

To reserve any of these books click on the title link and log in with your library card and PIN. If you aren't yet a member you can join today!