Free Webinars COBRA and Grantfinder Zoom Webinar
Starting a new business in 2021? Join our free Zoom webinar about the COBRA and Grantfinder databases available in West Sussex Libraries.
Tuesday, 13th April 2021, 11.00am – 12noon
Register for free at this link
Get Your Start-Up Business Set for Success – Expert Panel Discussion
Join the Business & IP Centre - Brighton and Hove for a webinar aimed at people thinking of starting a business, just having started a business or with up to 18 months trading experience.
Wednesday 28 April 2021 - 10:00am – 11:30am
Register for free at this link
eBooks about Business 
You can now borrow e books about Business for free with your library card. Browse our Business reading list and download books through our e book provider, Libby
Theory Test Pro Theory Test Pro is available free to all West Sussex library members from home. You will need to sign up for an individual account to access this resource. It has all the driving theory test questions, a large amount of hazard perception tests and is frequently updated.
Download or read our helpsheet here
Watch the video below for an introduction:
Library Resources We have a wealth of eInformation Resources available for library members, plus information and websites that can help with Learning from Home
Plus our helpsheets on:
Universal Credit - some quick guidance on how to fill out these forms
Jobs and Careers - how the library service can help or support you find work or change career
Working from Home Lots of us are having to work from home during the pandemic. You will have guidelines set by your employer but here are a few general pointers:
BBC: 5 ways to work well from home.
Good Housekeeping: 7 effective ways to work from home.
ACAS: working from home
Employers are also using software for group chats and video conferencing. Here are some of their choices:
For more information about working from home, visit our page about Digital Support.
Training Websites 
GOV.UK - Straightforward and comprehensive information to get you started.
Information to help you take the next step to getting skills and qualifications, or just learning something new. NCS provides a Lifelong Learning Account where you can store your CVs, course seraches and skills helath check.
Prospects - Guide for students to help choose the right career.
AIS - Help you search for apprenticeship, traineeship or pre-employment training in Sussex.
Do-it - Volunteer for people and causes that matter to you. This may help develop experience and skills to help you get in to work and develop (or change) your career.
Skillswise - Basic skills to get in to work.
Learndirect - Distance learning, online courses and Apprenticeships as well as part and full time classroom courses throughout the UK.
icould - Real life career videos, advice and information to inspire your career. Why not take the Buzz test!
Staying Safe Online 
Don't forget to stay safe online. For the lastest advice, guidance and information:
Sign up to WSCC's monthly Staying Safe Online newsletter and follow @WSxSafeOnline on Twitter.
Business Resources We have a wealth of FREE online business resources that can help you to start your own business, continue studying, build professional skills and connect with others.
These resources are available FREE to library members.
Not a member? Join here
COBRA 
COBRA is available free in all West Sussex libraries and library card holders can access it 24/7 from their computer, tablet or smartphone. It is a continually expanding business database with information about starting and running a small business. Access to around 4000 factsheets, market reports, contacts, funding resources and help and support.
It's a unique source of information for starting a small-scale business.
For more help with COBRA, download or read our helpsheet or watch our video:
Kompass 
KompassEasyBusiness contains information on over 43 million companies across 71 countries worldwide. You can use it to contact other businesses (B2B).
You can search and view individual company information on Kompass on PCs in any West Sussex Library.
If you would like to download lists of companies in spreadsheet format, contact our Ask a Librarian service with details of the search you require.
Find out more about KOMPASS by watching this video:
Grantfinder 
Grantfinder is a database for all types funding including loans, awards & grants to help local companies succeed and grow.
Local entrepreneurs can search independently through the thousands of funds available to them.
These include:
- European Union and Government programmes
- regional schemes
- local authority funds
- prestigious business award competitions.
Contact our Ask a Librarian service with details of the search you require.
IBIS World 
IBIS World provides:
Industry Market Research for the UK, Ireland and general global reports.
Industry Risk Ratings.
Analysis of hundreds of industries including risk scores & revenue forecasts.
You can search IBIS world in any West Sussex Library, but you can only download reports by contacting the West Sussex Ask a Librarian service to ask for the information you need.
Find out more about IBIS World by watching this video:
EMIS 
EMIS (Emerging Markets Information Service Information platform) provides a unique blend of analysis, data and news on companies, industries and countries in eastern Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.
EMIS licenses content from leading sources of company and industry intelligence and combine with a database of over 6.6 Million companies, M&A information and country level research.
You can have up to 10 reports and up to 250 companies in list form per day.
Find out more about EMIS by watching these videos:
You can access EMIS on PCs in any West Sussex Library or by contacting our Ask a Librarian service with details of the search you require.
eNewspapers 
Using Pressreader you can read or download current copies of The Daily Telegraph, The Independent, Daily Mail, Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Daily Express, The Guardian as well as a selection of over 7000 worldwide newspapers and magazines.
You can translate some into different languages as well as reading foreign titles in English.
Download or read our helpsheet here.
eMagazines - borrow digital versions of magazines like this one for free to read on your computer, tablet, eBook reader or smartphone.
Free Courses 
Designed by Google to boost your digital knowledge, The Digital Garage courses include everything from building a web presence to social media, to help you grow your business or career. You even get a certificate at the end.
MOOC List - Find a whole host of free courses provided by many different organisations. Topics include:
- Finance and Growth
- Start Ups
- Creativity and Planning
- Entrepreneurial Mindsets
HMRC Free Online Course about Starting a Business and Tax
Includes information on:
- Choosing a structure for your business
- Telling HMRC about your self employment
- Keeping your business records and claiming expenses
- Sending HMRC your tax returns and payments
- Finding further help and support
A collection of training resources to help people to use the lockdown to acquire jobs skills for when more businesses reopen. Includes Open University courses on basic maths and how to write computer code, Future-Learn courses in digital skills and producing online content, Google courses in digital marketing and resources to help people get started online provided by the digital-inclusion charity the Good Things Foundation.
Business Websites 
British Library - through their Business and IP centre the British Library supports small business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors using online resources and more.
West Sussex County Council - advice and information about Trading Standards, business safety, waste, rates and more.
Business West Sussex - Information and support from a variety of sources to help your business.
West Sussex Gigabit Broadband for Businesses Scheme - More information if you have a business in West Sussex.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
This Scheme from the Dept. of Digital, Cuture, Media and Sport is part of the Local Full Fibre Networks Programme which has the strategic objective of increasing full fibre coverage across the UK.
Federation of Small Businesses - Helping smaller businesses achieve their ambitions.
Start Ups - Advice and guidance on many aspects of starting a business.
Start Up Britain - Inspiration, resources and guidance to help people start and grow their own business.
Small Business - Advice and guidance on all aspects of starting and running a business.
eDEAL - Confidential and impartial business advice.
GOV.uk Home Business - Explains the process of setting up a business from home and dispels common myths about it.
GOV.uk Set up a Business - help with setting up a business.
GOV.uk Business Support - government support for businesses.
Gatwick Diamond Business - Virtual Events to keep you connected with other business members.
Make it British - Manufacturers Directory
An easy way to find British Made products and UK manufacturers.
Make it British - Brands Directory
Discover product brands made in the UK
Free digital advice for small businesses and charities impacted by coronavirus, provided by expert volunteers.
Business Events Library business events will be held online for the next few months.
At our workshops, librarians and local businesses offer advice and guidance on starting a business.
Times and dates can be found on our What's On pages.
We also send out details of business events held in libraries, via email. Sign up to find out more.
Useful TED Talks Scott Dinsmore: How to find work you love
Carol Fishman Cohen: How to get back to work after a career break
Local Government Support For local business information and support click on the relevant link below.
To find out which district or borough the area you are looking at belongs to, follow this link.
Arun
Adur and Worthing
Chichester
Crawley
Horsham
Mid-Sussex
Chambers of Commerce:
Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce
Chichester Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Buy With Confidence 
Hundreds of local businesses with the West Sussex Trading Standards stamp of approval.
Staying Safe Online 
Don't forget to stay safe online. For the latest advice, guidance and information:
Sign up to WSCC's monthly Staying Safe Online newsletter and follow @WSxSafeOnline on Twitter.
