The process of starting a business didn’t change much compared to the past few years, but there are some aspects that can make the difference between a successful company and a failing one. 2019 comes with a series of changes that will impact the business world.
Among these, sustainability issues and the emerge of technology in almost all aspects of life seem to be the most urgent. Key actors in the business world already changed the way they run their companies, even though it was much more costly and complicated for them that it would be for a new company.
Starting with the right foot will enable your new business to progress faster and to be appreciated in this industry. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
1- Come up With an Innovative Business Idea
The idea that rests behind your future company will dictate whether it will become successful or not. Brainstorming with people who are already in the field of business for a long time now can offer you a different perspective on the idea that you initially had. Asking for opinions and doing a lot of research to assess the feasibility of your business idea is an absolute must.
Don’t accept an idea that seems
good immediately after it pops in your head. Take your time to break it down
and find out whether it would be appreciated or not. Your business idea doesn’t
necessarily have to be unique. An existent idea can be
upgraded, and you can start a company that relies on the same concepts as
another one but does it better, faster and cheaper than the competition.
2- Never Skip the Market Research
Once you’ve figured out what kind
of business you’d like to launch, it’s time to direct more of your time and
attention towards market research. Analyzing the competition and noticing what
makes other businesses in the same niche stand out from the crowd will help you
tremendously in the long run. You can learn from both the mistakes and the
successes of the companies who already tried the same idea as yours, in another
version.
Play with the idea, tinker it and upgrade it until you obtain a concept that is entirely new and would attract people. If you were a customer yourself, would you choose a newly launched company that offers the very same services and products as one that already has a reputation in this field? The answer is probably no. People choose new companies only if they possess the competitive advantage – something that no other firm in the industry has.
3- Put that Business Plan Together
Some people prefer starting a business without carefully figuring out where the company should be in a couple of years from launching. This often leads to failure because not all potential situations have been analyzed and discussed. Writing and following a business plan religiously is the secret to a steady, secure growth.
It is a description of how your company is supposed to evolve in the coming years. Your business plan should include weekly, monthly and yearly projections for the company. Normally, these projections must become a reality, but this won’t happen unless they are realistically set. The business plan is also a guide for using financial resources and a tool for keeping track of the company’s progress. Today’s business plans might have changed in structure, but the guidelines remain quite the same.
- A title page
- An executive summary
- A business description
- A market strategy
- The competitive analysis
- An operational plan
- A development plan
- Other finance factors
Related Reading: Startup’s Guide to Write a Business Plan
4- Climate Action is Required
One aspect that was previously
ignored almost completely has to do with climate action. In the past,
businesses didn’t invest a lot in making an environmental change through their
activity. Considering that the environment is a hot topic at a global level nowadays,
new business owners should focus on making their companies eco-friendly. The
initial investment required for waste recycling or other climate change
strategies in business is still quite high, and attracting funds for it is not
easy.
Some companies try to offer
affordable solutions to sustain climate action changes in the business field.
One good example would be Miltek, a firm
that offers waste solutions like balers or compactors for both startups and
existent companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint. The costs of
environmental-friendly equipment should go down in future years when climate
change approaches will become compulsory everywhere in the world and not
optional as they are today.
5- Pay Attention to the Feedback
The business world is now focused
on providing customer-centered services. This means that you should direct most
of your resources to the needs of your current and potential customers. The
feedback that clients offer is the most
valuable source of information a company has. Analyzing what customers
expect, what they don’t like about your products or services, how they consider
that aspects of your business can be improved and other details that only
customers can bring to light will help your company evolve beautifully.
Solve conflicts rapidly and
professionally if they appear, and ensure that your customer support sector is flawless.
People expect quick answers and fast solutions, and respecting these criteria
is the only condition for owning a respected, appreciated company. As a
startup, you only get one chance to convince customers that your firm is worthy
of their trust and loyalty. Use this chance wisely by listening to what clients
have to say.
6- Follow the Trends
There are events in the business world that could alter the way your company evolves. For instance, if the economy in the country you live suddenly fails, your business might fail too, unless you have access to an international audience. Even though your startup might seem promising, there is a chance that it won’t follow the path you’ve projected. Anyhow, don’t get discouraged if the newly launched company is not propelled directly to the top within the first months. Be patient and follow business trends. Success will come when you least expect it.
The Bottom Line:
The business world is constantly changing as s result of technological advancements, consumer behavior and new challenges. Starting a business can be easy for many people, but making it a success is not that easy. However, a thorough research as outlines above can be your greatest advantage when starting a business in today’s fast sped world!
