Starting Up…

How To Get Your Business Up and Running

So you have decided to start a business. Here are a few steps to set the wheels in motion and make sure it is going in the desired direction. Read on to find out more about how to get your business off the ground.

• Prepare for the practicalities

If you only have a couple of employees working on computers, then renting space from a large office block would be a mistake. It is best to work from home until revenue is increasing steadily. It is also essential that your company, wherever it is located, has a clean and reliable source of water. In many areas, water bore drilling is the best solution to hydrate your start-up. 

• Learn from experts in your chosen field

Even if your business is super niche, there will likely still be an established competitor you can refer to when making decisions. Following a tried and tested method at first is sometimes wise, at least until you have the resources to branch out and explore market gaps. Listening to relevant Ted Talks and podcasts is a great way to learn from experienced industry professionals.

• Conduct market research

The best way to succeed in your chosen area is to find out what consumers want. Market research includes online surveys, focus groups, interviews and observation. Focus groups are helpful for consumers to test prototypes of your product before release. That way, you can adapt your business accordingly.

• Time it right

You may have a brilliant business idea that you have prepared to the very last detail, but starting your business at the wrong time can be fatal. There must be a current, increasing demand for what your business offers. Market research, listening to experts and observing trends outside of your personal preferences will help pinpoint the right moment to launch your business. Suppose your business is ready and waiting to go, find out where to adapt your business model to suit current trends.

• Keep going

There is one certainty when starting a business: failure. You will lose money, time, and energy. Your first product or service may flop. But if the idea is right and you stay determined to succeed, eventually you will be rewarded.

• Have a backup plan

External investment is not always necessary to get your business going. However, it can save it from going under if initially, it is slow on the take-up. Sourcing funding for your business before its launch will provide room for you to grow. Extra funding can go into marketing your business, making the experience as sophisticated and seamless as possible to win over consumers. Funding can come from government grants, bank loans and high-profile investors if you pitch it well.

Remember, buying from a small business can seem like a risk to many, but with investors’ backing, it is easier to ensure your business model exudes authority. If extra funding is not available, not to worry, just keep steps one to five in mind.