Firstly , you need a business plan, - see your bank. Get PI insurance. Beware of cost- there are some stupidly costly operators in the field. Secondly, you need clients. Concentrate on servicing the areas where you are competent and have experience of - there are so many safety bods operating in areas where they haven't got a clue and are out of their depth. Thirdly, structure your payments scale accordingly. Fourthly, develop or have developed a professional website and keep updated. Avoid referencing Regulations or re-issuing HSE generated or other bulletins. Create attractive and good quality business stationery- avoid cheap business cards. Get yourself a good suit and quality work-wear for the environment you are targeting. Remove all body adornments, studs, chains, earrings etc (if you are male) and cover up all tattoos. Try not to be too sharp when you meet a prospective client. Don't play the " member grade" game. He/she will note that from your business card. The above for starters- good luck. If you need a recommendation for PI feel free to PM me. Jon

Thanks guys. What do you think is more attractive to a client in relation to price structuring- a one off annual contract or a 'pay as you go' approach?

Concentrate on developing a number of smaller clients. Leave the big boys to others. Firstly it takes time to get the big boys' business and you need cash flow now. Secondly, you then become vulnerable. If you lose one major account it can represent a large part of your income. If you lose one small account it isn't so serious and you can go out and get another. That is how I built a successful business in another area and the competition, who were concentrating on the big boys, never even noticed that I was there! Be careful with any prospective new client. Read the small print in any purchase order, especially regarding payment terms. Particularly the big boys will often seek to impose extended payment terms. In other words they want to work with your money. To start with profit is less important than cash flow. No good making a profit on paper if you haven't got the money to pay the bills! Chris