Finlay, do you think people like Richard Branson or Peter Jones give a crap what anyone else says they can't do? They just do it. Learn from them.

With all due respect, F*** off

This (and my posts) aren't about that, I am trying to offer a different perspective in that it isn't a case of just do what you want and take your customers with you.

Salt and vinegar on those chips?

Why do you take everything to heart Finlay?

+1


plus speak to lawyer

if all else fails set up an office here and carry on .

3 to 6 months of not working competitively against your employer is a general term and condition of all contracts I've had.

We had one sales guy for Asia, he wanted to go to the competition. He was put on desk leave, he had to come in to work for the full 3 months of his notice period and sit in his office - which consisted of a desk and a chair - no computer, no telephone and he wasn't allowed to bring in a mobile telephone. He just had to read the newspaper or a book for 3 months...

Whilst the non-compete clauses are generally hard to enforce, you will still need a solicitor to help fight them, when it gets taken to a tribunal or to court.

Even if the contract looks clean, Saspro, I would get a professional opinion from a solicitor before poaching the customers.

Even if all you are doing is giving them an option to consider. Its good advice.

A few other points.

Get an accountant and check what you can get away with and what you cant in terms of tax etc. Listen to your accountants advice after all you pay for it.

Join the FSB ( Federation of small businesses ) great local networking opportunities and discounts etc.

Consider doing some contract work to get money in the door.

Make sure your money and your companies money are totally separate, for money also read debt e.g. don't put home and family at risk.

Go VAT registered ( you can claim for items bought in the 6 months before you register ).

In my area there are loads of small / very small businesses that have no IT support they can be a good but bity customer base.

Happy to help if I can.

I agree that Fin appears to take a hard stand on many things these days, but that aside, he has given some excellent "Think-about-it-seriously" advice and leeds_manc has essentially said "ignore all that [LIFTED] that Fin said and do what you want". If saspro did just what he wants to do, he wouldn't have asked for advice in the first place.

I've been through my contract with a fine tooth comb before I hand it to my solicitor and there's nothing about not contacting customers etc.
They're also technically in breach of contract as they owe me money.

I've just got to pull off a report to get renewal dates for my customers to check the projected income for year 1.

Because I am offering serious advice and leeds_manc has just said
"Ignore it, he is talking crap"

without any real contribution to the discussion

I'd strongly suggest getting a solicitor involved though, the initial cost could save you making some very expensive mistakes further down the line (There is also legal aid and other free advice systems you can use to get legal support, I used them when I was chasing up money owed from previous housemates)

I'd ask your solicitor about the possibility of the sit at desk/gardening leave method of leaving the company and what it means. I think it (along with any anti-compeitive clause such as working for compeition (which you would be as a start up)) could be the main pain in your backside with starting up your own business.

(You can also buy computer parts VAT free as long as the pc it'll go in is for business reasons... Is folding a business reason? )

Yes, I've written my opinion and you don't like it. [LIFTED] off yourself

I fail to see any contribution without disregarding others opinions.

Well seeing as we are writing in a formal tone. I must have written something of worth to have recieved such a reaction, your superfical hurt and anguish at my direct criticism of your cautionary posts I feel is further symptomatic of the overly reverential attitude you have towards those in a situation of percieved authority. My post was intended to show that, when setting out on your own path, it is time to start laying the tracks yourself rather than following those set by others. In order to do this a certain attitude must be adopted where rules are avoided rather than followed. In order to achieve your goals it is important not to be worried by failure, to have a disregard for rejection, for criticism, for warnings, for pressure. [LIFTED] all that. Just do it.

If I have disregarded the opinions of others perhaps it is because those opinions deserve to be disregarded. Or perhaps not.

Have I made a contribution to the thread yet?

HAHAHA DISREGARD THAT, SAS NEEDS A JOB.



(Fin should get that. )

I was expecting something after the disregard that bit... but yes