Errors to avoid when starting a small business

Many businesses collapse within a short period of time because it is not simple to start a business. There are so many things to think about and decisions to make when one intends to start a business. Such a pressure can cause you to make a poor decision that can hurt your potential for success, or at least set you back.

Experts say while there is no particular plan to reach small business startup success, there are several common and dangerous mistakes many new business owners make that can negatively impact their businesses. They explain that some of these mistakes are common and as such can be avoided as one starts a small business.

A report by thebalancesmb.com has it that many prospective small business owners often skip the thorough planning stage. Experts say planning may be tedious, but without a solid plan for your business that includes business idea research and market potential, you will be operating in the dark. The most important plans to consider include a business plan, a financial plan, and a marketing plan.

As you plan, try to also set smart goals, as this can give you direction when you first start your business and can keep you on track during the day-to-day operations of your venture. By making sure your goals are smart ones, you can identify where you want to go and outline specific steps that you will take to get there.

When you know your target in the business, try to put out the right products or services. Do not undervalue your products or services. Experts note that many times, lack of confidence in one’s ability and fear of failure causes one to under-price one’s products and services. This is a dangerous path to take because it undermines the unique value you bring to the table and opens up the possibility of resentment and frustration.

Believe in what you are putting out and give it your best shot. This is because recovering from undervaluing your goods is a long road, so you should explore the market thoroughly as you start your business to identify the best price entry. As you do this, embrace new technology, as it helps in business growth.

A former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, Dr. Sam Nzekwe, encourages small business owners to always take advantage of technology as they strive to grow their ventures. For small business owners, technology can provide new opportunities, help them do their work more efficiently and even help them save money.

New technology may be intimidating, and require time to learn and understand, but an uwillingness to adapt to technological advances can hurt your business in the short and long term.

As you embrace technology, go all out and market your products or services. Marketing can take many forms, from word of mouth, referrals, to traditional advertising and Internet marketing. There are not any set rules when it comes to marketing, as the best type of marketing for you depends on your business and your target audience.

The mistake being made by some small business owners is that they assume that they do not need to market their ware and believe that they will get the income they seek.

As you market your products, try to identity your ideal customer. One vital part of any successful marketing campaign is understanding who your ideal customer is. It is not enough to create a marketing budget and try a little bit of everything. You need to do market research to identify who you are trying to reach, where you can find them and how they will react to your marketing activities.

But as a small business owner, avoid spending excessively, especially as you market your products or when trying out a new technology. However, some small business owners who do not overspend fall on the other end of the spectrum and refuse to spend much of anything. While there are certainly ways to start and grow a business with limited funds, going too far and not investing any kind of capital in your business can severely limit your potential for success.

Avoid carrying the entire burden all alone. If the burden can be split among other trusted hands, please split it. A small business owner may be willing to learn how to be a jack of all trades, but it does not have to be that way. Effective delegation can be one of the best ways for new small business owners to build their businesses, free up their time for business activities that require their unique expertise, and build a team positioned for future success.

Be committed to what you do. Experts say starting a business requires a number of success-oriented character traits such as drive, dedication and a serious sense of commitment. Small business owners need to be willing to make sacrifices, put in the time necessary and face challenges head-on if they want their businesses to be successful.

(PUNCH)