The ever-competitive business world won't allow you to sit still for too long. These days if you're not looking at your performance or planning for growth, you could get left behind.

Why not try our online business review?
This quick business focussed assessment of your plans and performance will produce a dedicated set of priority actions, a plan of support and links to an experienced business adviser:

• If you started your business in the last year  - click here for a review of your current performance and plans for the future
• If you have been running for more than a year - click here for a chance to check that you're on the right path

Growing a successful business means having good strategies and there are definitely key issues in running any business. Check out the 'Your business strategies' section for information on increasing profitability, creating a valuable business and planning for the future.

While the previous section focuses on the generic, top down strategic issues, the 'Operational strategies' section concentrates on the day to day running of the business and looks at key performance indicators and cost control and offers practical guidance on filing & records management.

Another way of increasing profitability or adding value may be to float your company. Guidance is given from why you might want to do this in the first place to managing the process. Alternatively, you may have reached the stage where it's time to sell your business and need to know how much it's worth and how to plan for your exit. The 'Buying & selling a business' section should guide you gently through these processes.

Premises can be a major headache for businesses. Should you buy or rent? Do you need to get out of a lease? Are you planning on moving? Are you looking for new premises? Do you know how to appeal against a rent review? If any of these apply to you, our Premises section should point you in the right direction.