Of course, starting a business is very risky, as there are many variables that could lead to eventual failure and one reason to create a comprehensive business plan is to identify risks to the business and do what you can to minimise those risks. Here are a few tips from business gurus to help you minimise the risks that your business faces.
Essential Funding
The main reason new businesses fail is lack of funding and when you are crunching the numbers, it is important that you have enough money to not only launch the business, but also to support it through the first year, which is when the business is most at risk. You should set aside a special fund to support the business when sales are not yet enough to make a profit and if, for any reason, you are short of your target, it is wise to take out a business start-up loan that you can repay over a year or two.
Your Business Plan
This is a very important aspect of setting up a new business and you should play devil’s advocate, trying to find weaknesses in your plan, rather than being over optimistic and assuming that everything will fall into place. You could contact Mark Vischschoonmaker the small business coach in Sydney. If you’re located outside Australia, you can find a business coach near you by searching using Google. Business coaches offer tailored services to suit the business and would be happy to give professional opinion on your business plan.
Create a Strong Online Presence
If few people even know that you have set up your own business, this does not look good for the future and by creating an SEO budget from the very outset, your brand will become one that consumers will identify with. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can overlook digital marketing, as it is an essential part of your marketing.
Be Customer-Focused
If you make it your goal to provide the best possible service to your customers, you will gradually develop a positive reputation within the community. Make good use of social media to promote your business. You should also register with one of the big customer review organisations and over time, you will attain a 5-star rating. Good news travels fast, but bad news travels faster, so you should do everything in your power to ensure that all your customers are happy.
Take Out Adequate Insurance
If your business does not have adequate insurance, there is a risk that the business might be seriously affected. Therefore, you should have insurance for the business premises, stock and all of the vehicles that you use. Public liability insurance is a must for every business, even if it’s a small enterprise. If you employ people, you should also have employer’s liability insurance, which would cover any claim that an employee might make.
As a business owner, it is your duty to do what you can to minimise the risks for your new venture and by taking note of all the above points, the risks to your business will be minimised.
