A lot of businesses begin and come crashing within the same year or do not grow for years. In a country like Nigeria, where the environment for business is not so friendly, it’s even more difficult. But with some strategies, you can make your work. Starting a business for the first time and worried about failure? Give your new enterprise the best chance of success with these top business tips:
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Be passionate about what you do
You don’t have to love whatever your business is about (and probably shouldn’t), but you do have to be fired up about it.
You’re going to devote a lot of time and energy to starting a business and building it into a successful enterprise, so it’s really important that you truly deeply enjoy what you do, whether it be running fishing charters, creating pottery or providing financial advice.
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Start your business while you’re still employed.
How long can most people live without money? Not long. And it may be a long time before your new business actually makes any profits. Being employed while you’re starting a business means money in your pocket while you’re going through the start up process.
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Don’t do it alone
You need a support system while you’re starting a business (and afterwards). A family member or friend that you can bounce ideas off and who will listen sympathetically to the latest business start up crisis is invaluable.
Even better, find a mentor or, if you qualify, apply for a business start up program. When you’re starting a business experienced guidance is the best support system of all.
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Get clients or customers first
Don’t wait until you’ve officially started your business to line these up, because your business can’t survive without them.
Do the networking. Make the contacts. Sell or even give away your products or services. You can’t start marketing too soon. See how to build a marketing budget and 40 affordable marketing ideas for your small business.
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Write a business plan
The main reason for doing a business plan first when you’re thinking of starting a business is that it can help you avoid sinking your time and money into starting a business that will not succeed.
See how to write a business plan.
Remember, you don’t have to work through a full scale business plan for each new business idea you come up with; ask these 10 Questions to Validate your Business Idea.
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Do the research
You’ll do a lot of research writing a business plan, but that’s just a start. When you’re starting a business, you need to become an expert on your industry, products and services if you’re not already.
Joining related industry or professional associations before you start your business is a great idea.
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Get professional help
On the other hand, just because you’re starting a business, doesn’t mean you have to be an expert on everything. If you’re not an accountant or bookkeeper, hire one (or both).
If you need to write up a contract, and you’re not a lawyer, hire one. You will waste more time and possibly money in the long run trying to do things yourself that you are not qualified to do.
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Get the money lined up
Save up if you have to. Approach potential investors and lenders. Figure our your financial fall-back plan. Don’t expect to start a business and then walk into a bank and get money.
Traditional lenders don’t like new ideas and don’t like businesses without proven track records. Look at Ways to Raise Money for Your Business.
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Be professional from the get-go
Everything about you and the way you do business needs to let people know that you are a professional running a serious business.
That means getting all the accouterments such as professional business cards, a business phone and a business email address, and treating people in a professional, courteous manner.
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