Plan by the rules

You need to 'learn the rules of the game' - and stick to them. This means understanding and keeping within all the various bits of legislation that apply to companies; health & safety, employment law, equal opportunities, insurance. You need to understand your obligations. There are lots of useful websites – various government departments, Health & Safety Executive, Law Society, Trade Associations and professional bodies. Likewise talk to your advisers, talk to other businesses and participate in the occasional seminar on new regulations.

Don't try to be clever and get round the rules. There are some places you don't want to go - Industrial Tribunals for one. And don't mess with Customs & Excise or the VAT man - let them focus on the real bad guys. You are a high growth business not a fly-by-night business.