For most entrepreneurs, managing a business is equivalent to getting a real-life MBA.
Running a small company, for example, teaches entrepreneurs invaluable lessons, resulting in a good blueprint of do’s and don’ts for running a bigger organisation in the future.
Furthermore, many business owners often concede that their success wouldn’t be possible without significant failure. Hence, if you experience significant losses, consider the same to be a necessary part of growth.
Still, there are some mistakes we could all do without. So, if you’ve just launched a new business and are looking to shorten your learning curve, here are four common ones to avoid:
Rushing Into a Partnership
A lot of rookie entrepreneurs think that rushing into a partnership ensures business success. However, you should always enter into such arrangements with care.
Just because you have a family member, friend, or colleague willing to partner with you doesn’t mean that a partnership would be ideal. More than the concept of building a business together, you should consider how you’ll maintain that relationship afterwards.
If you must choose a partner, pick one who can handle the day-to-day reality of running a business efficiently. Or at least someone you’re comfortable having difficult conversations with or calling out if things aren’t working.
Ideally, find a business partner whose skills are opposite yours. That way, they’ll compensate for what you lack, and vice versa. This helps cover more ground especially if you can’t afford to hire multiple employees yet.
Getting Discouraged Immediately
Getting a business started is a long and winding road. One with several bumps before it starts getting smoother too.
In other words, entrepreneurship is not for the fainthearted. But fortunately, difficulty isn’t akin to impossibility.
Successful business owners can attest to experiencing failure, disappointment, and doubt. You’ll gain customers – and lose some. Some days will be better than others. These are all part and parcel of having a business.
So instead of feeling discouraged when bad days come, focus on the lessons they bring. And remind yourself that tomorrow is another day to try again.
Forgetting Why You Started a Business
Never forget your “why.” Whether it’s following a passion or wanting to escape the 9-to-5 routine, remember why you wanted to start a business when you feel like quitting.
It’s easy to feel this way when things go south. The only remedy is to remind yourself constantly of why you chose this difficult yet fulfilling path -and to remember that the sacrifices are temporary.
With enough time and effort in the right direction, the rewards ought to show you that every little thing was worth it.
Trying to Do Everything On Your Own
Small business owners often have to do everything on their own. From admin work to accounting, marketing, and advertising, among others. If you’re great at all of these, well, good for you.
But if you want your business to grow, you eventually have to delegate. When you outsource certain functions to capable remote workers, for instance, you can begin to focus on more important decision-making and business development.
After all, the most important resource in a business isn’t money. It’s your time. Make the most of it whenever you can.
And speaking of delegating….
Remote Staff has been providing Aussie SMEs and entrepreneurs like you with skilled remote workers from the Philippines for the last 15 years and counting. Aside from hiring, we also provide assistance with onboarding and constant support throughout your working relationship so you won’t have to do everything on your own.
Call us today or schedule a call back and let’s get started.
Serena has been working remotely and writing content for the better part of the last decade. To date, she's written for Pepper.ph and Mabuhay Magazine, among others, and has churned out more than a thousand articles on everything from The Basics of Stock Market Investing to How to Make Milk Tea-Flavored Taho at home. Hermits, aspiring hermits, and non-hermits with interesting project propositions may email her at serena.estrella10@gmail.com.
