Resources
The following resources and services are designed to assist teams entering the Griffith Innovation Challenge to complete their business plans:
- Business Plan Template (PDF 58k) - use this template to develop your Griffith Innovation Challenge business plan
- Team building - find others who are interested in your ideas, to form a team... or find a team to join!
- Mentoring - we help you to find volunteers with experience writing business plans and / or running or building new enterprises
- Workshops - download handouts from the workshops offered during the Challenge
A good business plan is an important tool in getting your idea to market. There are many resources available to help write business plans, research strategies, potential competitors, industry trends and customer needs.
In order to be sure your product or service targets the needs of your clients, you will need to be accustomed with how these people behave. When conducting market research, remember to take time to talk with actual potential client. Many times the fastest and easiest way to get the information you need is simply to ask people directly.
You can contact potential customers, suppliers, and competitors through interviews or surveys - and this is often the most useful, efficient, and credible method. To identify contacts, use the Yellow Pages or the relevant industry directories (available at many libraries). This information will be useful when preparing your marketing plan and financial forecasts.
Online resources
- AusIndustry - The Australian Government's agency for delivering products, services and information that support industry, research and innovation
- Austrade - Australian Trade Commission website
- Australian Government IP Australia - Find out more about intellectual property laws in Australia
- Backing Australia's Ability - Information on the Government initiative Backing Australia's Ability - Building our Future through Science and Innovation.
- Biotechnology Australia - Government agency responsible for managing the National Biotechnology Strategy, coordinating non-regulatory biotechnology issues, and providing information on biotechnology
- Bplans.com - Tips on how to write a business plan
- Business readiness quiz - Are you really ready to go into business? Take this quiz to find out
- Starting your business - Business start-up tips from the Queensland Government
- The Creative Business Toolbox - Ideas for starting a business in film, TV, computer games, advertising, marketing, music, writing, architecture, visual arts, design and performing arts
- Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
- Gartner Group - Provides research and analysis of the IT industry developments and trends
- National Innovation website - Information on business and innovation, including how to implement new ideas and where to go for assistance and support
- UC Berkeley - business plan templates available