If you’ve made a decision to launch a business in 2017, you are far from alone. Millions of people every year are quitting their boring 9 to 5 jobs for a shot at following their dreams. The problem is, 90% of them will fail before they even begin.
Your goal should be to get into that 10% of startups that survive and then flourish long-term. You have to be aware of the challenges you may encounter when trying to launch a business, and what you can do to make your startup different.
It’s always good to have a few ideas and suggestions for how you can make things better. There are so many right and wrong things to do when it comes to launching a new brand. And you will make mistakes along the way.
The trick is to avoid the major ones and to try to make more right decisions than wrong ones. Use some of the ideas on this list to help you breathe life into your 2016 startup.
Try to be more eco-friendly
The future’s bright, the future’s green! We are heading down the eco-friendly path more and more in recent years. And it’s a good idea to try to action this as soon as you can, and take steps to make your business as green as possible.
You may not know this, but over 50% of customers prefer to buy from companies with a green reputation. People care about the planet, and they want to know that you’re doing what you can to treat it well.
There are quite a few things you can do to make sure your company is greener. Look into becoming more energy-efficient and try to recycle as much as possible.
Also, you should try to only print things when absolutely necessary. If you can, you also need to try to go down the route of implementing solar power in the company too.
Focus on growth
Company growth is essential if you want to get the startup out of first gear. But you have to be sensible about the way you do things. This is important for helping you achieve the growth you need without problems.
Don’t rush in and try to expand your business immediately because this is not going to go well. Instead, you need to work your way up to it and ensure you have planned things properly.
When the time is right, that’s when you try to expand and grow as a company. Business growth is essential, and you need to make certain that you do it when the time is right. That’s how you turn your startup into an international brand.
Learn how to bounce back
The bottom line is there are going to be some dark days for the business. If everything were easy and plain sailing, then everyone would be doing it. You have to appreciate that there are a lot of difficulties and problems involved in running a modern startup.
What separates those people who succeed from those who don’t is that they learn how to bounce back. They can take the hit, pick the company and get everything back on track.
Bouncing back from potential failure is the mark of a great leader and business owner. And this is something you have to work on as much as you can.
Marketing masterclass
The only way you’re going to be successful in business these days is to ace the marketing. You have to understand the importance of a marketing masterclass. So this means thinking about what is involved in the process of marketing and how you can best promote your company.
Think about how important it is to really push your brand these days. For instance, you need to understand the role the Internet plays.
Did you know that almost 80% of users conduct product research online? It’s statistics like this that show you the power of the Internet, and how much marketing is important in brand development.
Do things differently
Try to think outside the box and do things a bit differently. There are so many ways to give your company that edge. Try to come at things from a different angle. You also need to make sure you the company is unique.
You aren’t going to attract a lot of interest if your company is too similar to other businesses that are out there. Make a concerted effort to try to do things differently and approach business in a unique and fresh way.
This will help you attract more clients to your brand and will make you stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Use extras to your advantage
You also need to think about how you can use extras to elevate your company to the next level. Think about what you can do to ensure that the business is taken up a notch and that you benefit the brand in the long run.
Show your customers that you care. One thing you could do is to buy a shipping container and import specialised company gifts, thank you cards, birthday cards and get personal. It may be expensive but it works if you have the resources. Show the human side your business.
You could also organising a corporate event and invite important customers you can’t lose. There are so many practical benefits that this course of action can have for your business.
Thinking a bit deeper about things and making sure you understand what will help to elevate your brand is crucial. Many entrepreneurs won’t think about extras they can use to help their startups grow, and that’s why you have the edge over them.
Go virtual
Virtual is the most obvious direction for a lot of new businesses to take. You have to understand that the digital landscape it’s changing. You need to make sure that you are embracing the digital world and moving your company towards more of a virtual position.
That means you need to move as much as you can online and start making yourself into a virtual business. Look into the possibility of using virtual offices to help save money and space.
You should also look at how you can make full use of online storage facilities as well. Basically, you want to try to make your company a streamlined virtual and digital business. That way you can make it more efficient and practical, and this will help you stand out.
Bring in an accountant as soon as you can
You have to make sure you have an accountant so you can keep on top of business expenses and costs. This is one of the things that a lot of people seem to overlook when it comes to running a startup.
You need to make sure you outsource your accounting services, so you have a professional in charge of your money. That way you take a huge weight off your mind and free up a lot of your own time.
And, it means you can be sure your finances are taken care of. Things like tax and bookkeeping play vital roles in the makeup of your business.
And you will need to get these things right if you want to enjoy success. This is why it’s so important to ensure you have an awesome accountant as soon as possible.
Diversity
Diversity is a big positive for a modern business. Not only is it good for your reputation and growth, but it also brings different personalities together. And this can be crucial for nurturing talent and creativity as well.
So, you need to think about how you can make the company more diverse as a business. There are plenty of steps you might take to help you accomplish this. Try to give opportunities to people from different backgrounds and walks of life.
Aim to be as cosmopolitan as you possibly can. If you have a mixture of foreign and domestic workers, this is going to make it much easier for you to transition into becoming a global brand.
Make a dent
The best thing a modern business can do these days is matter. You have to make sure you do as much as possible to leave a mark. You have to make sure you matter and that you are relevant to a lot of people.
If you are a business that plays a part in society, you are more likely to survive and thrive. Reinvent yourself if you need to, and look at how the world is changing. If you can get yourself to a position where you matter, you will be much more successful.
The businesses that get overlooked are those that are ubiquitous and don’t offer anything different. To make a difference and matter in the world is so important, and you need to try to accomplish this.
Starting a business in 2016 is full of potential problems and costs. And you want to make sure your company survives past the first couple of years. That’s why you need to get as much help and advice as possible to allow you to do this.
It’s important that you recognize what is involved in starting a brand. Don’t wait around for your life to happen to you. Seize the moment and realize your dreams and ambitions today.