NEW Year is a time for resolutions, so if you have promised yourself a new start in business in 2016 then it's vital to ensure you're as prepared as you possibly can be to launch your new venture.

With a wealth of specialist information at its fingertips Business Gateway is ideally placed to help start-up and existing business owners across Scotland deal with these issues and get their ventures moving.

From preparation of your business plan, marketing and employing staff to market research and sourcing finance, Business Gateway offers a programme of online advice - including Market Insight guides and business plan templates, free workshops and, if appropriate, one to one support from experienced business advisers, that can help you start and grow your business.

One company that has been supported by Business Gateway to launch and develop is Renfrewshire based Cloud Global.

In just five years the aviation group, has become a leader in its field with an international client base that includes over 20 different airlines across four continents.

Founded in 2010, with support from Business Gateway, the business (www.cloudglobal.co.uk) now offers a range of specialist services including recruitment for the aviation industry, aircraft leasing and aviation support.

"The strategy of developing various divisions has proven very successful and we can now count prestigious names such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Aeros Flight Training amongst our clients," said director Graeme Frater.

With almost 40 years of experience in the aviation industry between them, there is no doubt the Cloud Global directors understand their industry inside out, but they were also acutely aware that they would benefit from some specialist business advice to help them start-up and grow.

Graeme continued: "The business has gone through a period of rapid expansion and Business Gateway has been an important member of the team as we have gone through the planning process and developed our services.

"Not only did our adviser guide us through the start-up process but the marketing and strategy workshops he organised have really helped us chart the way forward.

"We also received market research support from the Business Gateway Information Service, which helped us identify potential new customers that we would otherwise not have been able to contact.

"With Business Gateway’s help we have managed to increase turnover from £250,000 to £2.1 million over the past year."

To find out how Business Gateway can support you visit www.bgateway.com or call 0300 013 4753.

Top tips to help you start-up and grow:

* Make use of the support services that are available, particularly if they are free! Specialist help from business experts such as Business Gateway can help ensure that your business has a better chance of success

* Talk to other entrepreneurs who have started and grown a business – they may have made mistakes you can avoid

* Plan, plan and plan. Make sure you have a comprehensive business plan in place. Knowing where you are going and how you are going to get there will make the journey smoother

* Thoroughly research your markets and carefully consider who your customers are and how you will communicate with them

* Identify funding requirements you might need to start your business and ensure finance is in place to address them.