The IoD has joined forces with a number of partners to deliver a package of support to kick-start an entrepreneurial revolution including; funding to turn your idea into a reality, support to develop it and a free website to make sure everyone knows about it.

The IoD and UnLtd wanted to initiate a way in which the third sector, public sector and private sectors could work together to support entrepreneurs who are starting up and by doing so also create social good. Over half of all young people in the UK want to start a business. Yet only 1 in 20 of them actually do. The IoD and UnLtd, together with the Getting British Business Online, a campaign backed by Google and partners, are launching the Ultimate Myth-busting Package to enable more people to make it happen! As part of the package the IoD would like offer you a special joining offer saving you £205.

Special Joining Offer – save £205

IoD membership will provide you with a range of membership benefits which will support and help you as you develop and grow your business.

Membership costs £313 with a one-off election fee of £205. Join before the 31st December 2010 and they will waive the election fee saving you £205. Please quote GE001C when contacting them.

About the IoD

The IoD is the UK’s largest membership organisation for directors and business leaders. They have 43,000 members from across the business spectrum, including many from the public sector and charities. Their aim is to support their members as they run and grow their organisations providing advice, guidance and practical time and money saving services.

Where they can help

Being a Director - They can help you understand your responsibilities and liabilities and provide you with advice on areas such as company law and corporate governance.

Finance - What taxes apply to your business or what options are available to you for raising finance, they can help you find the the right mix of different kinds of financing to help you maximise your financial flexibility and reduce overall financing costs.

Employment - Ensure that you know your legal responsibilities to your employees how to recruit them and how to train and monitor their performance. They can provide you with best practice guidelines and HR policies, benchmark pay and benefits, or simply direct you to the statutory minimums on leave and pay.

Marketing, Strategy and Growth - They can help you with your marketing plan or offer advice on how to run a marketing campaign. They can give you information on economic trends, environmental issues and risks that may affect your business, as well as guidance on buying and selling your business, outsourcing and applying for contracts.

What they offer

Free Access to Meeting Space - located in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Leeds, London Pall Mall and the City, Manchester, Paris and Reading

Networking - free networking online with their exclusive member-only group on LinkedIn where you can share tips and advice with 5,500 fellow members. Their branches run over 50 events around the UK from breakfast briefings to social events all at little or no cost.

Free Business Information - Their team of professional researchers will save you valuable research time and can provide you with a range of information including market research data, company accounts, press and trade journal searches or example business contracts.

Free One-to-One Business Advice - Their team of independent practicing professionals offer advice on issues related to business start up, including company formation, raising finance, employment law and marketing advice.

Free Business Tax and Legal Advice - call their helplines for prompt advice on, your queries about company, commercial or employment law in the UK or Europe or for advice on business tax, VAT, PAYE or NIC.

Source: Institute of Directors