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For a successful business, you need a viable business idea, the skills to make it work and the funding. Discover whether your idea has what it takes.

Forming your business correctly is essential to ensure you are protected and you comply with the rules. Learn how to set up your business.

Advice on protecting your wellbeing, self-confidence and mental health from the pressures of starting and running a business.

Learn why business planning is an essential exercise if your business is to start and grow successfully, attract funding or target new markets.

It is likely you will need funding to start your business unless you have your own money. Discover some of the main sources of start up funding.

Businesses and individuals must account for and pay various taxes. Understand your tax obligations and how to file, account and pay any taxes you owe.

Businesses are required to comply with a wide range of business laws. We introduce the main rules and regulations you must comply with.

Marketing matters. It drives sales and helps promote your brand and products. Discover how to market your business and reach your target customers.

Some businesses need a high street location whilst others can be run from home. Understand the key factors from cost to location, size to security.

Your employees can your biggest asset. They can also be your biggest challenge. We explain how to recruitment and manage staff successfully.

It is likely your business could not function without some form of IT. Learn how to specify, buy, maintain and secure your business IT.

Few businesses manage the leap from start up to high-growth business. Learn what it takes to scale up and take your business to the next level.

Preparing for ISO 9000 - checklist

The ISO 9000 family of standards helps businesses put quality management processes in place. Read our tips for improving customer satisfaction and getting accredited under ISO 9000.

  • Read through the standards: ISO 9000 (which explains the terms used), ISO 9001 (the main standard) and ISO 9004 (continual improvement) to make sure you understand them.
  • Contact your trade association or local chamber of commerce for advice (and information on any grants that might support your accreditation) and decide what training or consultancy support you need.
  • Make sure you have management commitment to understanding and meeting customers' needs; prepare a simple company quality policy.
  • Plan the quality project: allocate resources and personnel, clarify responsibilities and set realistic objectives and timescales.
  • Identify all the critical activities which directly affect customer satisfaction and how they interact.
  • Include other activities covered in the standard: for example, design, purchasing, production and service operations.
  • Involve employees in analysing your current processes. Explain the aim of improving quality and how they can contribute.
  • Prepare clear documentation describing the agreed best method for carrying out each process, together with related instructions.
  • Establish a system for authorising each process (and for controlling and authorising subsequent amendments).
  • Identify quality indicators and set standards (e.g. response times, minimum quality standards).
  • Implement the processes: communicate them to employees and provide any training required.
  • Appoint and train an internal auditor.
  • Regularly audit processes to make sure systems are followed and standards achieved.
  • Correct any problems. For example, by revising processes to reflect changed circumstances (such as new production processes) or by strengthening implementation.
  • Contact the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for details of an approved certification body to assess whether you meet the standard.

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