Regulation and the Business Life Cycle © Crown Copyright 2012

The Benefits of Compliance to Business  Customers are protected and kept safe  Employees are protected and kept safe  Premises are protected from fire and flood damage  Operational procedures are in line with good practice  The risk of incidents requiring inspection is minimised  The risk of sanctions after an inspection is reduced  Efficiency savings are achieved

Business Life Cycle Curve – Planning Typical considerations:  Researching the market  Protecting ideas  Developing a business plan  Getting finance  Registering a business  Choosing premises  Planning considerations  Product safety  Licensing  Compliance issues

Business Life Cycle Curve – Getting Started Typical considerations:  Using IT and e-commerce  Selling and marketing  Employing staff  Dealing with tax and PAYE  Managing costs and cash flow  Gaining accreditation

Business Life Cycle Curve – Growth Typical considerations:  Incorporated vs sole trader status  VAT registration threshold  Exporting and importing  Managing quality  Developing customer relationships  Tendering for contracts  Planning and finance  Developing staff  Managing change and risk

Business Life Cycle Curve – Growth 2

Business Life Cycle Curve – Maturity Typical considerations:  Forming partnerships  Restructuring  Legislative developments  Selling the business

Business Life Cycle Curve – Decline Typical considerations:  Selling the business  Redundancies  TUPE

Support Packages for Business Life cycle stages:  1: Planning  2: Getting started  3: Growth  4: Maturity  5: Decline

Support Packages for Business Options for regulators:  Provide telephone advice and literature  Signpost other sources of specialist help  Supply updates on new or amended legislation  Give feedback on plans or proposals  Arrange peer mentoring  Conduct inspections  Offer site meetings, seminars and training