Wednesday 29 February 2012
End Of Module: Self Evaluation
END OF MODULE SELF-EVALUATION
NAME: William Cotterill
1. What skills have you developed through this module and how effectively do you think you have applied them? Throughout this module I have developed a variety of skills, I feel as if I've had a vast learning curve in understanding how to set up a business taking into account real life factors and situations. The enterprise Lectures have helped me to understand how to get myself out there into the big wide world as a creative, how to mange and cost a collaborative studio and how to figure out annual in comings and outgoings. The main skills I feel I have developed lie within the growth of our collaboration, I found choosing a group people I shared the same interests with us gave us the ethic to get really into what we were doing. We all shared the same passion for music and the same taste creatively, within this module I think I've learnt about how to successfully work with other people, and the compromises you have to make in the process. People skills are what make collaborations work, I found that within our group there we no arguments, disputes etc we all did our own bit and all shared the workload tailored to each others skills.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process? In realtion to design production I have produced mock ups of our website and how Pardn would look on screen. A lot of the work I completed was research, learning and exploring the costings of studios and living costs, whilst working with other factors like location and custom. We all came to one conclusion over the branding and design approach to our business/presentation, We all initially brought Idea's to the board but as a collaboration came to mutual decisions about the look and feel of our company.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalize on these?
Strengths I've developed within this module are very different to past briefs. These don't like within the world of design but instead I feel as if I'm getting a grasp for realistically understanding a few of the factors you would need to get on your feet when completing a art/design degree and looking to set up a small business. Pest and Swot analysis is something I started to look quite into depth with, analyzing studios and how they work as a team has helped me to consider some of the political, ethical, social and technological factors you have to take into account. I would love to leave University and set up freelance, or look into starting a small business, I would like to capitalize on the skills I've learnt in this module so that later in life I have a strong general knowledge of managing costs etc. One of the strengths I think I held within the module, was my phone skills, talking to different studio's and letting agencies on the phone getting prices to work was a job I think I did well at because I feel I have a good social side to me.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
Weaknesses within my work during this brief has been my documentation. I feel as if I could have recorded the process we went through better as a lot of the discussions and decision.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
-Firstly, I think If we had more time I would of got more involved with the design side of things, as the module was based around business I found I was mainly conducting research and playing with stats and figures. If we carried out the plan for setting up our studio I would enjoy pursuing the design of our website/publication, I feel that I concentrated on the foundations of our business rather than the visual aspects of the workload.
-I would of liked to get a couple of small clients on the go, to see whether our business would be successful in the real world. I think if we started off with a couple of local dj's/artists we'd have a good shot at producing some professional pieces of work as a team. Even though we did work along side a couple of artists/producers I think that to add extra impact to our presentation a handfull of strong examples of work we'd produced for the music industry would show how we the company off to a good starting point.
-I would manage my time better, I found working on other briefs got me slightly distracted with this one, On the other hand I feel that this blip was overcome. I think with better time management we could have possibly looked into putting on an event or getting something up and running.
-I would want work more on the printed side of things, especially for our presentation, printed media would have added to our whole pitch.
6.How would you grade yourself on the following areas;
5= excellent, 4 = very good, 3 = good, 2 = average, 1 = poor
Attendance 5
Punctuality 5
Motivation 4
Commitment 4
Quantity of work produced 3
Quality of work produced 4
Contribution to the group 4
Tuesday 28 February 2012
Final Presentation
Below is the final presentation we put together for the hand in of our Enterprise module. We each had assigned roles, but we felt that we didn't want to over complicate the way we put across our Idea. The presentation stuck to a clean and opened planned format, allowing the viewers to take in what they were looking at, whilst the subject matter was explained, after all there's no point in bombarding our audience with information on screen.
Pest Analysis
Composition
Political factors are how and to what degree a government intervenes in the economy. Specifically, political factors include areas such as tax policy, labour law, environmental law, trade restrictions, tariffs, and political stability. Political factors may also include goods and services which the government wants to provide or be provided (merit goods) and those that the government does not want to be provided (demerit goods or merit bads). Furthermore, governments have great influence on the health, education, and infrastructure of a nation
Economic factors include economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates and the inflation rate. These factors have major impacts on how businesses operate and make decisions. For example, interest rates affect a firm's cost of capital and therefore to what extent a business grows and expands. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods in an economy
Social factors include the cultural aspects and include health consciousness, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes and emphasis on safety. Trends in social factors affect the demand for a company's products and how that company operates. For example, an aging population may imply a smaller and less-willing workforce (thus increasing the cost of labor). Furthermore, companies may change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends (such as recruiting older workers).
Technological factors include technological aspects such as R&D activity, automation, technology incentives and the rate of technological change. They can determine barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence outsourcing decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts can affect costs, quality, and lead to innovation.
Environmental factors include ecological and environmental aspects such as weather, climate, and climate change, which may especially affect industries such as tourism, farming, and insurance. Furthermore, growing awareness of the potential impacts of climate change is affecting how companies operate and the products they offer, both creating new markets and diminishing or destroying existing ones.
Legal factors include discrimination law, consumer law, antitrust law, employment law, and health and safety law. These factors can affect how a company operates, its costs, and the demand for its products.
Our Market;
1.The internal Environment: Staff i.e Matt, Dom, Will and Yafet.
2.The micro Environment: Musicians/Artists, external Customers/clients, Paper Suppliers etc.
3.The macro Environment: Political forces, Economic forces, Social forces and Technological forces.
Outlines of what considerations we would need to think about when applying P.E.S.T to business;
POLITICAL
-Employment Laws
-Environmental regulations
-Tax policy
-Trading Agreements
-Government stability
-Product labeling requirements
-Health and Safety regulations
-Funding
-Home Market lobbying and pressure groups
ECONOMIC
-Interest Rates
-Exchange Rates
-Rate of Inflation
-Employment levels
-GDP
-Consumer spending power
-Trade Tariffs
-Seasonal Issues (weather)
SOCIAL
-Ethnic and religion Issues
-Attitudes to foreign products and services
-Language
-Consumer Leisure time
-Roles of men and women
-Demographics
-Living standards
-Education standards
TECHNOLOGICAL
-Technology legislation
-Internet/Broadband
-Computer Usage
-Quality and standards
-Infrastructure
-Change
-Outsourcing
When Applied to Pardn;
Political:
Economic:
Social:
Technological:
Political factors are how and to what degree a government intervenes in the economy. Specifically, political factors include areas such as tax policy, labour law, environmental law, trade restrictions, tariffs, and political stability. Political factors may also include goods and services which the government wants to provide or be provided (merit goods) and those that the government does not want to be provided (demerit goods or merit bads). Furthermore, governments have great influence on the health, education, and infrastructure of a nation
Economic factors include economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates and the inflation rate. These factors have major impacts on how businesses operate and make decisions. For example, interest rates affect a firm's cost of capital and therefore to what extent a business grows and expands. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods in an economy
Social factors include the cultural aspects and include health consciousness, population growth rate, age distribution, career attitudes and emphasis on safety. Trends in social factors affect the demand for a company's products and how that company operates. For example, an aging population may imply a smaller and less-willing workforce (thus increasing the cost of labor). Furthermore, companies may change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends (such as recruiting older workers).
Technological factors include technological aspects such as R&D activity, automation, technology incentives and the rate of technological change. They can determine barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence outsourcing decisions. Furthermore, technological shifts can affect costs, quality, and lead to innovation.
Environmental factors include ecological and environmental aspects such as weather, climate, and climate change, which may especially affect industries such as tourism, farming, and insurance. Furthermore, growing awareness of the potential impacts of climate change is affecting how companies operate and the products they offer, both creating new markets and diminishing or destroying existing ones.
Legal factors include discrimination law, consumer law, antitrust law, employment law, and health and safety law. These factors can affect how a company operates, its costs, and the demand for its products.
Our Market;
1.The internal Environment: Staff i.e Matt, Dom, Will and Yafet.
2.The micro Environment: Musicians/Artists, external Customers/clients, Paper Suppliers etc.
3.The macro Environment: Political forces, Economic forces, Social forces and Technological forces.
Outlines of what considerations we would need to think about when applying P.E.S.T to business;
POLITICAL
-Employment Laws
-Environmental regulations
-Tax policy
-Trading Agreements
-Government stability
-Product labeling requirements
-Health and Safety regulations
-Funding
-Home Market lobbying and pressure groups
ECONOMIC
-Interest Rates
-Exchange Rates
-Rate of Inflation
-Employment levels
-GDP
-Consumer spending power
-Trade Tariffs
-Seasonal Issues (weather)
SOCIAL
-Ethnic and religion Issues
-Attitudes to foreign products and services
-Language
-Consumer Leisure time
-Roles of men and women
-Demographics
-Living standards
-Education standards
TECHNOLOGICAL
-Technology legislation
-Internet/Broadband
-Computer Usage
-Quality and standards
-Infrastructure
-Change
-Outsourcing
When Applied to Pardn;
Political:
Economic:
Social:
Technological:
Monday 27 February 2012
Buisness Insurance/Contents Insurance
Business Insurance
Insurance coverage that protects businesses from losses due to events that may occur during the normal course of business. There are many types of insurance for businesses including coverage for property damage, legal liability and employee-related risks. Companies evaluate their insurance needs based on potential risks, which can vary depending on the type of environment in which the company operates.
It is especially important for small business owners to carefully consider and evaluate their business insurance needs because they may have more personal financial exposure in the event of loss. If a business owner does not feel he or she has the ability to effectively asses business risk and the need for coverage, he or she should work with a reputable, experienced and licensed insurance broker. You can obtain a list of licensed agents in your state through your state's department of insurance or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/business-insurance.asp#axzz1nay2L14P
Contents insurance
Contents insurance is insurance that pays for damage to, or loss of, an individual’s personal possessions whilst they are located within that individual’s home. Some contents insurance policies also provide restricted cover for personal possessions temporarily taken away from the home by the policyholder.
In this context "possessions" means anything that is not permanently attached to the structure of the home (possessions that are permanently attached to the structure of the home can only be insured via home insurance.) Some contents policies may also include possessions kept in outbuildings or in the garden area attached to the house.
Contents insurance is usually sold alongside home insurance but it can also be purchased as a stand-alone policy, especially for those who are renting rather than owning their home.
Insurance coverage that protects businesses from losses due to events that may occur during the normal course of business. There are many types of insurance for businesses including coverage for property damage, legal liability and employee-related risks. Companies evaluate their insurance needs based on potential risks, which can vary depending on the type of environment in which the company operates.
It is especially important for small business owners to carefully consider and evaluate their business insurance needs because they may have more personal financial exposure in the event of loss. If a business owner does not feel he or she has the ability to effectively asses business risk and the need for coverage, he or she should work with a reputable, experienced and licensed insurance broker. You can obtain a list of licensed agents in your state through your state's department of insurance or the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/business-insurance.asp#axzz1nay2L14P
Contents insurance
Contents insurance is insurance that pays for damage to, or loss of, an individual’s personal possessions whilst they are located within that individual’s home. Some contents insurance policies also provide restricted cover for personal possessions temporarily taken away from the home by the policyholder.
In this context "possessions" means anything that is not permanently attached to the structure of the home (possessions that are permanently attached to the structure of the home can only be insured via home insurance.) Some contents policies may also include possessions kept in outbuildings or in the garden area attached to the house.
Contents insurance is usually sold alongside home insurance but it can also be purchased as a stand-alone policy, especially for those who are renting rather than owning their home.
Website Ideas
The overall plan is to stick with open space, simple and effective design, communicating who we are in a plain and minimal fashion.
Housing/Living
Alike to Leeds student housing is reasonably priced and Ideal for living
when working around a tight budget. There are two main possibilities
throughout setting up our studio, the first being we rent a 5 bedroom
house and convert one of the rooms into a studio and the second we rent a
4 man house and have a studio space where we can work away from our
home. Below is a bit of research I've done into general cost's of rent
on 4 and 5 bedroom houses, figuring out whether it is logical to go with
either option.
When thinking about what would work out cheaper, renting a cheap house and a studio, or renting a more expensive house to turn one of the rooms into a studio, you would generally conclude that renting just a house would work out much cheaper as you assume one building would cost less than Two.
5 Bedroom house at £125 per week per person =£26,000 per year (for us all)
Total=£26,000
4 Bedroom house at £65 per week per person =£15,200 per year (for us all)
Studio space Per calendar month at £545 = £6,540 per year (for us all)
Total = £20,060
Sunday 26 February 2012
Web Hosting/Domain Names
Contacting our market and having online references for our customers to view is essential. Having a Website is going to be a big part of how we will advertise Pardn to our target Auidience.
Creating and building a website would be something I think we'd take into our own hands, designing and mapping out our content In Dreamweaver. To upload and host a website picking the right people to host with can save a lot on costs. 123 reg handle all the aspects of building a website you could possibly need to consider. Below are a couple of estimates of how much a domain name would cost us.
Ibegyourpardn
Creating and building a website would be something I think we'd take into our own hands, designing and mapping out our content In Dreamweaver. To upload and host a website picking the right people to host with can save a lot on costs. 123 reg handle all the aspects of building a website you could possibly need to consider. Below are a couple of estimates of how much a domain name would cost us.
Ibegyourpardn
Pardn
Other addons we would need to purchase;
Domain Name: £2.99 per year
Instant Traffic: £20.04
Web hosting: £29.88
Total Cost Per Year: £52.91
Retro Fuzz
Dom has focused his attention on analyzing studio's relating to the type
of company and the industry we want to venture into. Having relative
comparisons Is ideal to structure the type of company we want to
develop.
I really like the concept of their website, using the alphabet to communicate all the different work they've produced, straight forward and easy to navigate around. In terms of our own website web hosting and buying a domain name is something to look into. Blank space and open areas to navigate around is going to be a consistent theme, so In terms of construction we all hold enough knowledge of HTML and CSS to go about its design and production.
"RetroFuzz is a Manchester-based independent web design agency, working predominantly in the music industry. We create digital tools for artists to ensure their online presence is as good as it can possibly be. From UGC driven websites, to viral tools, to rich-media banners and everything in between, we have the capability to design and build tools that ensure an artist maximizes their presence across a myriad of platforms."
I really like the concept of their website, using the alphabet to communicate all the different work they've produced, straight forward and easy to navigate around. In terms of our own website web hosting and buying a domain name is something to look into. Blank space and open areas to navigate around is going to be a consistent theme, so In terms of construction we all hold enough knowledge of HTML and CSS to go about its design and production.
"RetroFuzz is a Manchester-based independent web design agency, working predominantly in the music industry. We create digital tools for artists to ensure their online presence is as good as it can possibly be. From UGC driven websites, to viral tools, to rich-media banners and everything in between, we have the capability to design and build tools that ensure an artist maximizes their presence across a myriad of platforms."
Friday 24 February 2012
Studio Manchester
Looking for a studio has been rather successful, we've found some areas with real potential. As would be just starting out and don't have major funding at this stage the studio space below is a consideration for exhibiting work when we get up and running.
M-One Manchester works out at being £545 per month, thats £6,540 per year at £1635 per person. This is a huge chunk of money to add to our final costings on top of supplies, advertising, insurance etc. As an alternate solution we have decided to look at houses in central manchester close to the previously researched studios, essentially getting a 5 bed house and converting one of the rooms into a workable studio space. The studio's we've researched into would then be used as and when we need them, saving costs on paying for a permanent space. If done well the 5th room in our house would be a really good back door to setting up a space where we could produce work for clients without the expensive costings of rent for studios on top of the rent for our living.
At a later stage, once up and running, at £100 per day we could exhibit work in the studio space below to advertise and promote us whilst also advertising the artists and producers. Small events could be organized to advertise new releases, limited edition prints and other merchandize.
Monday 20 February 2012
InBristol Studio Spaces
Just came across these studio spaces below. An ideal location, very central to the city of Bristol and not too far away from bus/train stations. The building has a lot of character to it which would be ideal to make a good impression on clients.
You can use a variety of their workshops which would save costs on printing beds etc. They include facilities such as woodwork, ceramics and print.
In Bristol Studio & Workshops
In Bristol Studios are based in an 1830’s Cotton Mill just off Feeder Road in Barton Hill. We offer fully equipped work space for woodwork, ceramics, print and textiles with a variety of sized units to rent from 60-100 sq-ft. Prices start from £27 per week all inclusive.
We also offer a Pay As You Go service where non-members can use the facilities for a daily or weekly rate.
There are opportunities to run workshops and classes from our exhibition space and we will be holding open studios annually with collective shows planned throughout the year.
Event: Studio Space Available
Rent includes use of the kitchens, workrooms, electricity, water, internet, business rates and much more…
The studio is home to a variety of creative trades including painters, web designers, illustrators, print makers, furniture makers…
You can use a variety of their workshops which would save costs on printing beds etc. They include facilities such as woodwork, ceramics and print.
In Bristol Studio & Workshops
In Bristol Studios are based in an 1830’s Cotton Mill just off Feeder Road in Barton Hill. We offer fully equipped work space for woodwork, ceramics, print and textiles with a variety of sized units to rent from 60-100 sq-ft. Prices start from £27 per week all inclusive.
We also offer a Pay As You Go service where non-members can use the facilities for a daily or weekly rate.
There are opportunities to run workshops and classes from our exhibition space and we will be holding open studios annually with collective shows planned throughout the year.
Event: Studio Space Available
Rent includes use of the kitchens, workrooms, electricity, water, internet, business rates and much more…
The studio is home to a variety of creative trades including painters, web designers, illustrators, print makers, furniture makers…
Business and Commercial Premises
Within our collaboration we need to make a few considerations when it comes to what sort of premises we choose. Some of the considerations are listed below;
The link below gives some good information on considerations to take into mind when looking at buying a location for your business to start from.
Once you have decided you need premises for your new business, you need to think about what type – office, retail, industrial unit, garage, other or mixed?
Premises size and appearance
Size matters, so think about layout and how much space you need. Obviously, you will want to minimise costs, but better to have slightly too much space than not enough. You don’t want to be hindered by cramped conditions, plus, there are health and safety rules you must observe. So think carefully about how much space you’ll need or what storage facilities you’ll require.
Also think about appearance, because this will affect perceptions of your business. If customers won’t be visiting your premises, this is less of an issue. However, if they will be and your premises look unclean, untidy, unsafe or old-fashioned, customers could be put off – and that’s without considering the negative effect it can have on staff morale.
Premises location
Weigh up how reachable your premises need to be, especially if you plan to employ people or need customers to visit you. If you’re looking to find an office or warehouse space, how good are local public transport links? What about parking? Commercial premises or industrial units in more remote areas might be cheaper, but that’s no good if customers and employees can’t reach you.
If you’ll be relying on footfall, location is critical, of course. Even in busy places, some locations are more popular than others, but there are cost implications, too. Prime locations usually come with prime price tags – particularly if you’re looking to open a shop.
You also need to consider other businesses nearby. For example, a smelly take-away could put off your customers. In other cases, a take-away might be good for your business. In most instances, locating your business too close to your competitors isn’t wise. Before deciding on premises, find out how much competition will be on your doorstep and what potential customers think of your proposed location.
Searching for premises
Decide how flexible you are about condition of premises. Are you willing to adapt or improve them – or is that hassle and expense you don’t want? Will you need to make specific security arrangements?
Also beware that some rent/lease agreements forbid alterations. In other instances, a landlord might be willing to share costs.
Whether to rent, lease or buy – that’s the question. There are pros and cons to each. Most small businesses rent property or lease space, as it requires less investment. Buying might still be wise, if you have the means. However, deposits for commercial mortgages are normally quite high and credit has tightened significantly.
Even when leasing or renting premises, you’ll need to stump up a deposit, the size of which will depend upon on the length of the lease/rental agreement.
Premises costs
Renting or leasing might include additional monthly costs for which you hadn’t budgeted (eg service charges), while buying will involve professional fees. Find out how much rates and insurance will be, too, because these can add significantly to your overheads.
Set a monthly premises budget and search accordingly. Local newspapers, the trade press and property websites are good for leads. Talk to other businesses near your preferred location or ask commercial property agents what they have available. Make a shortlist of suitable properties and view as many as you can.
Seek professional advice before signing any agreement and walk away from contracts whose terms are weighed unfairly in the landlord’s favour. If possible, seek clauses that allow you to vacate the premises early.
-Rent Per month
-Security
-Hours of use
-CCTV
-Work space
-Location
-Electricity
-Access
-Parking
-Transport
-Internet
-Furnishings
The link below gives some good information on considerations to take into mind when looking at buying a location for your business to start from.
Commercial premises;
Once you have decided you need premises for your new business, you need to think about what type – office, retail, industrial unit, garage, other or mixed?
Premises size and appearance
Size matters, so think about layout and how much space you need. Obviously, you will want to minimise costs, but better to have slightly too much space than not enough. You don’t want to be hindered by cramped conditions, plus, there are health and safety rules you must observe. So think carefully about how much space you’ll need or what storage facilities you’ll require.
Also think about appearance, because this will affect perceptions of your business. If customers won’t be visiting your premises, this is less of an issue. However, if they will be and your premises look unclean, untidy, unsafe or old-fashioned, customers could be put off – and that’s without considering the negative effect it can have on staff morale.
Premises location
Weigh up how reachable your premises need to be, especially if you plan to employ people or need customers to visit you. If you’re looking to find an office or warehouse space, how good are local public transport links? What about parking? Commercial premises or industrial units in more remote areas might be cheaper, but that’s no good if customers and employees can’t reach you.
If you’ll be relying on footfall, location is critical, of course. Even in busy places, some locations are more popular than others, but there are cost implications, too. Prime locations usually come with prime price tags – particularly if you’re looking to open a shop.
You also need to consider other businesses nearby. For example, a smelly take-away could put off your customers. In other cases, a take-away might be good for your business. In most instances, locating your business too close to your competitors isn’t wise. Before deciding on premises, find out how much competition will be on your doorstep and what potential customers think of your proposed location.
Searching for premises
Decide how flexible you are about condition of premises. Are you willing to adapt or improve them – or is that hassle and expense you don’t want? Will you need to make specific security arrangements?
Also beware that some rent/lease agreements forbid alterations. In other instances, a landlord might be willing to share costs.
Whether to rent, lease or buy – that’s the question. There are pros and cons to each. Most small businesses rent property or lease space, as it requires less investment. Buying might still be wise, if you have the means. However, deposits for commercial mortgages are normally quite high and credit has tightened significantly.
Even when leasing or renting premises, you’ll need to stump up a deposit, the size of which will depend upon on the length of the lease/rental agreement.
Premises costs
Renting or leasing might include additional monthly costs for which you hadn’t budgeted (eg service charges), while buying will involve professional fees. Find out how much rates and insurance will be, too, because these can add significantly to your overheads.
Set a monthly premises budget and search accordingly. Local newspapers, the trade press and property websites are good for leads. Talk to other businesses near your preferred location or ask commercial property agents what they have available. Make a shortlist of suitable properties and view as many as you can.
Seek professional advice before signing any agreement and walk away from contracts whose terms are weighed unfairly in the landlord’s favour. If possible, seek clauses that allow you to vacate the premises early.
Bristol Spaceworks
Spaceworks Easton Business Centre is a bustling small business community in the heart of Easton which offers a total of 68 Office and Workshop Units, varying in size from 120 sq ft to over 1000 sq ft. The site contains several modern purpose built multi storey buildings containing light and airy offices with a range of practical and spacious workshops on the ground floor.
A reception area provides post, fax, photocopying and delivery services and is staffed five days a week from 8 in the morning until 6 at night. Parking spaces are available in the courtyard with space for deliveries and loading. A night security guard is on hand after 6pm and access can be arranged 24/7.
There are two separate meeting/conference rooms which can be booked by licensees for private business meetings or interviews through the reception. These facilities are also available for hire by non licensees. For more information go to Meeting Room Hire.
Reception
If you are based at Easton Business Centre the Reception Office will receive and sign for parcels when you are not in your office. We can look after your visitors until you collect them or you ask for them to be sent to your office. Time permitting, we can help process mailshots and do batches of photocopying for you. Customers at the Co-op, Schoolhouse and the Library are welcome to take advantage of these services if they so wish
Telephone
Easton Business Centre has a fully cabled telephone system. Just plug in a compatible phone (if in doubt speak to Reception) and away you go.
You will be allocated a DDI number on arrival and can have up to 4 extensions on this line. There is no line rental to pay and at the end of each month we bill you for the calls you have made.
Don't worry if your office is unmanned much of the time - we will answer your phone in your company name, take messages, email the messages to you if you wish. It's up to you and all part of the service at Easton Business Centre. We will very soon be able to offer this same telephone answering service to clients at our other centres.
Photocopier and Fax Machine
Photocopier
Easton Business Centre will shortly have a new all singing and dancing colour copier that can undertake a wide variety of tasks probably at a more economical cost than using your office printer. Licensees can be issued with a pin number for the machine for monthly billing.
The service is available to all; prices TBC.
Fax Machine
For those occasions when an email is just not quite proof enough, Reception at Easton Business Centre has a Fax Machine available to all, prices TBC.
Post and Franking Services
Deliveries
There is a Monday - Friday postal delivery service to the Easton Business Centre where the mail is sorted by our Reception Staff. Gone are the days when we could guarantee the post would be sorted and ready for collection by 9 am so we normally advise licensees by email as soon as it is ready.
Collections
There is a collection from Easton Business Centre on Monday-Friday at 5.15 pm for franked and stamped mail, Special Delivery, Recorded Delivery, Signed for mail etc. If you need advice about these services please ask at Reception.
Franking Machine
The Centre has a franking machine that can be used by all licensees - ask in the Office for a franking pin number. We make a 16% service charge for the use of the machine but there are substantial savings on the cost of postage to offset this.
Mailshots
Subject to time constraints we a happy to process mailshots through the franking machine on behalf of licensees. Please bring your mail to Reception in good time if you would like to make use of this service.
Broadband
Easton Business Centre
All our office units at Easton Business Centre have CAT 5 internet connections. We have a dedicated fibre-optic cable into the Easton Business Centre that gives a fast and reliable service. Our provider can tailor the service to suit your needs and can accommodate whatever level of security you may require.
For a basic installation for up to 4 computers there is no charge for router or installation. The 'contract' is just one month at a time and you are billed for the service at the end of each month. For more complex installations there may be a hardware charge.
Bristol Creative Workspaces
Birstol seems to have a large amount of studio space based In and around the city. The link below was a major help in locating some really decent spots.
M One Offices and Spaces
Studio space Manchester, based on the 3rd floor of 8 Lower Ormond Street, a grade II* listed building, a former Georgian Cotton Mill.
M One provides studio space in Manchester, a creative environment for freelancers and small businesses. They are currently home to several creative disciplines including audio, video, digital and illustration. Having a diverse range of other businesses around us would be perfect for building foundations and links to other areas within creative industries.
What are the contract terms? We operate on a month by month rolling license agreement. The contract runs indefinitely and our minimum term is 3 months, this gives maximum flexibility for you.
What rates do they charge? Prices start from £280 - £545 pcm
How do you get there? (3 mins walk) From Oxford Road:Come out of the Station and head to the bottom of the hill.Turn left at Whitworth St W (B6469)Turn left at Great Marlborough St under the railway bridgeContinue onto Lower Ormond St, and we are just at the end on the corner of Chester St.(15mins walk) From Piccadilly:Come out of the back entrance of Piccadilly.Head right up Fairfield StTurn left on to Whitworth St (B6469)Turn left onto Oxford St (A34)Turn right on to Hulme StTurn left onto Lower Ormond St and we are just at the end on the corner of Chester St.
M One provides studio space in Manchester, a creative environment for freelancers and small businesses. They are currently home to several creative disciplines including audio, video, digital and illustration. Having a diverse range of other businesses around us would be perfect for building foundations and links to other areas within creative industries.
What does the rent Include?
Studio Space in Manchester!
Water
Waste removal
Wi Fi Broadband (limited use)
CCTV
How big are the rooms? M One consists of 17 studios in manchester ranging in size from 100 to 600 sq ft.
A few screenshots off google Maps;
AWOL Design Studios
Just came across this company below that provide studio spaces, exhibition spaces and business practice areas. Studios are located at Hope Mill, 4th Floor Hope Mill, 113 Pollard Street, Manchester M4 7JA.
77 units ranging from 85 sq ft to over 1,100 sq ft
AWOL has 77 studios over 4 floors at Hope Mill, ranging from 90sq ft to over 900sq ft and is home to over 120 creative individuals, organisations and businesses. Currently, only 2 large studios are vacant, both on the recently opened 2nd floor (if you think these studios are too big then you are more than welcome to go on our waiting list for a more suitably sized space – please let me know).
On the 2nd floor –
Studio 206, 470 sq ft available at £440 per calendar month
Studio 207, 470 sq ft available at £420 per calendar month
All prices are fully inclusive.
Our studios are secure and warm and take advantage of the natural symmetry and light of Hope Mill. Each is self contained with vaulted ceilings, 2m high windows, FREE WiFi, central heating, smoke detectors and sprinklers. We encourage all residents to personalise their studios, making each one as individual as they are, and everyone is free to carry on their practices in peace and quiet, or as they see fit, and may engage in the AWOL community as little or as much as they desire. Each floor has its own toilets and communal area and there is 24 hour access, 7 days a week as well as a large, free car park. The mill is just a 15 minute walk from Manchester city centre and is well served by public transport including being only 100m away from the Holt Town stop on the new Metrolink line due to open in Spring 2012.
All studios are available on a flexible, rolling monthly licence.
Studio Spaces
There are four main area's within the U.K that we have come to the conclusion would be a suitable place to house our company and to start looking into and research studio space. Once we have an Idea of where to position our business and the price it would cost of space to work within we can start to focus on other aspects of the business such as materials, supplies, advertising, business plans loans ETC.
We picked the four main area's below due to their links with electronic music and the fact that all the cities are really good for getting new music out to a tailored Auidience;
Manchester
Leeds
Bristol
Brighton
Creative review
For this weeks sessions with Jane we Had to produce a series of outcomes for a full page Creative review ad. So far we have come to the conclusion that our design collaboration is going to solely focus on the music industry, setting up a studio to work along side artists building connections with producers and artists involved in electronic music. Below are all the outcomes our group came up with, I think for the stage we are at the progress made so far has been really successful, all of our ideas take a different approach to the visual style we are aiming for.
My Outcome;
Doms Outcomes;
Matts Outcomes;
Yafets Outcomes;
Monday 30 January 2012
Enterprise Lecture 7
Stash Your Cash
Accounting;
-Keep track of who owes you money.
-See how much you are spending on materials and services.
Invoices and Statements;
Essential of an Invoice:
-Your business address.
-Your customer's address.
-The date of the invoice.
-Item by item details of the service or product provided.
-Total amount due.
Essential of a Statement:
-Your business address.
-Your customer's address.
-A list of recent invoices you have sent out
-Details of invoices paid and unpaid
-Total amount outstanding
On the back of invoices and statements there are things called terms and conditions, the conditions are the circumstances under which the agreement is made.
-Designed to protect your rights and interests
-Costs
-Delivery Arrangements
-Payment Terms.
Terms and Conditions cover areas which need to be set in stone, credit limits etc...
The statement
Send out on the day before the due date,
Send out every month thereafter
How much is owed?
Accounting Software: Bank Tree, quick books, sage, online quick book essentials.
Monday 16 January 2012
Establishing a charge rate for working Artists and Designers
During today's session Bridget gave us a printout from an excel Spreadsheet to work through, helping us to work out how much we would need to earn in relation to live with our current expenses. Working freelance, I would have to think about my incoming and outgoing costs alot more than I'd expected, I never realised what the term buisness expense actually meant, and how you can create boundaries between money that goes into your pocket and money that doesn't get taxed.
Considering a studio space is something I definitely want to think about for my first year after i finish my degree, sharing a studio between 4 creatives would save a lot in the long run plus it provides you with an environment designed for people in similar industries.
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