In an extract from his book in Sunday Business Post 25/4/2010, Starting a Business in Ireland, Brian O’Kane explains why a business plan is essential when starting your own firm, whether to attract investors of just so you can see how it will work.

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Two out of three first time buyers say they intend to buy a property in the next year according to a new survey by leading Irish property website MyHome.ie.

This figure is up from 57% last Autumn while the number who do not intend purchasing has halved from 12.5% to 6.3%.

The majority of first time buyers expect to make the purchase in a 6 to 12 month timeframe while a similar number, 58%, expect house prices to fall slightly in the next twelve months.

Seventy eight per cent of first time buyers now have the funds required to pay a deposit, up 20% from last September.

Anyone in the market for a new life insurance policy could make savings of up to €6000 provided they shop around, according to new research by the Financial Regulator.

It discovered that there were significant variances in the cost of policies over the lifetime of the product.

The regulator advised that giving up smoking would result in the biggest reduction in life insurance premiums and said that anyone who had given up should immediately contact their insurance provider and ask them to review their policy.

The regulator also said that, if an individual’s circumstances had changed-through either switching job or having children-they should review their cover to make sure it was still adequate for their requirements.

Enterprise Ireland has today announced the launch of a nationwide business development programme, which is aimed at supporting the setting up of start up companies in the information technology and life science sectors that have significant export potential.
The initiative, the latest stage of Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Propel Ideas into Business’ programme, is geared towards providing a select number of entrepreneurs and early stage businesses with the skills and training required to take the next step in expanding their service offerings, in Ireland and overseas.

The closing date is tomorrow! Friday 23rd April 2010.

More information on www.propelprogramme.ie

The NCA, National Consumer Agency have launched a new facility for people to save money by reducing the cost of utilities and other household expenditure.

They have launched a cost comparison tool known as “Economiser“, and given the usage for each household, it directs you to most favourable supplier.

This is an excellent resource for people and households trying to cope with ever reducing income and ever increasing costs.

Try the Economiser for yourself.