Essential Business Publications

NEN members can now access the nationally recognised Essential Business guides, booklets and trainer materials , trusted resources used across enterprise programmes, the Ministry of Justice, probation services, and local authority initiatives.

This collaboration between NEN, Essential Business and MENTA gives members  access to high‑quality, practical business support materials designed for advisers, educators, and start‑up clients.

What’s Available

Essential Business has been producing clear, accessible and practical business resources for over twenty years. Their publications help people understand the realities of running a business and support advisers delivering start‑up and early‑stage guidance.

Current publications include:

• The Essential Start‑Up Guide A 24‑page guide covering legal structures, registration, funding, pricing, planning and more — ideal for helping clients build strong foundations from day one.
• Thinking of Starting a Business Helps aspiring entrepreneurs explore their vision, values, skills and personal circumstances to understand what makes a successful start‑up.
• Planning and Starting a Business A step‑by‑step workbook with integrated worksheets covering market research, marketing, sales forecasting and financial planning — supporting clients to create a business plan they can confidently use.

Why NEN Members Value These Resources

• Trusted nationally across enterprise programmes and public sector initiatives
• Clear, practical and accessible for all learner levels
• Hard‑copy materials that clients can refer to, rely on and retain
• Ideal for workshops, 1:1 support, and structured programmes

Member‑Only Benefits

• Bulk and bundle purchasing available directly through NEN
• White‑label customisation so you can tailor materials to your organisation’s brand
• Exclusive access — available only to NEN members

How to Order

NEN members can order Essential Business publications directly through the network. To request pricing, bundles or white‑label options, contact the NEN team – lucy.flannery@nationalenterprisenetwork.org.