Hello!

I'm not very happy working in my dull office day in day out, so I'm now thinking of setting up on my own, but not in Switzerland, in the EU rather where it's easier and cheaper! But as I still live in Switzerland I was wondering whether anyone knows where I might be able to do evening classes in Setting up you own Business??? i.e. tips on business plans, marketing, protecting your idea blah blah blah...

I live in Lausanne so would be interested in classes in the Vaud or Geneva cantons..

I've already done searches on the Internet but no luck, the classes proposed are all long-term one or two year courses which are really expensive! I'm just looking for something cheap and short-term.

Thanks!

Angelpop

Have you considered reading a book about setting up your own business?

There should also be a boatload of websites on this subject, might be a far more effective way to learn than sitting in a classroom...

Yes, I've bought two books, but I prefer the classroom approach and as of websites, I've already checked, but stuff like sample business plans etc..you have to pay for! In France the Chamber of Commerce gives courses, but not sure what the system is in Switzerland...

By the way, Jack, I checked out your website, I notice you worked at L'Essentiel in Chambéry, funny that because I studied at the University there and went back to work there a few years later...at Technolac..small world!

Umm... I typed in "Sample business plan" into google and clicked on a couple of the many links that came up. I was able to see samples of free business plans. Found quite a lot with 1 minute of research. Many of these sites sell extra stuff, but there was quite a lot for free.

Mark, I knew you would do a "Google" Thing is I want one in French, cos' I'd like to set up in France..not having much luck..

www.google.fr ....?

franchement guys, if I hadn't already tried Google do you think I would be here in the first place, I thought this forum was to provide help and tips, not make us feel like complete idiots!

You can ask me what the half-life of 300kg of weapons-grade plutonium is and I wouldn't know that either...

www.englishforum.fr then?

Seriously, let the thread hang around for a little time and see if someone who can help you specifically comes along?

You should see the mails I get every day from.... well... you get the picture. In my experience people often don't look for info themselves, they just ask others because they are just too damn lazy. I'm sure you can't blame us for asking. I'm sure there is a sample business plan somewhere out there for you (in French).

However, since this forum is concerned mainly with Switzerland, and you want the whole thing in French, and you want to do your classes etc in French, and you want to do business in France you might find you have a lot more luck looking for a forum for business owners in France and posting your questions there. It seems your requirements are a little out of scope for a Swiss-English based discussion - just wanted to help set an expectation that this forum is not some sort of crystal ball, there are often much better tools to get the job done.

I'm looking for classes in Switzerland for practical reasons, as I'm not likely to hop over the border just for a 2 hour class! I'm just looking for classes that are quite general and it doesn't matter if they are geared at setting up a Swiss business in Switzerland. Books are not practical enough and the internet isn't always up to date.

Sorry, I must have been distracted by your avatar:

Let's take a step back here......

I am wondering why a class in Switzerland would deal with the intricacies of setting up a business in France

This business you're hoping to get going - it's main trading region will be Switzerland? Products and/or services?

If you're going to trade in Switzerland, why not take a company from anywhere in the EU - like the UK for example - and then you might be able to find more information to suit you.

OK to put things simpler, I just want general advice on setting up a business, I don't care which country the business advice is aimed at, like I said I'm looking for info in Switzerland because at the moment this is where I live and it's not practical for me to hop over to France where they are in fact lucky enough to receive entrepreneurial advice!

but earlier....

hee hee I've changed it now!

Ok, now that you are a giant M&M pretending to be sherlock holmes we can take you far more seriously.... Did I already mention google?

pfff and coming from a big hairy monkey!

It's a big hairy monkey that is...... reading a book......