7 MAJOR THINGS A START-UP MUST HAVE TO SUCCEED
Starting a new business in this economic era may not be that easy, but it is possible. This article contains the top 7 things you need to consider before launching your startup.
- Understanding the timing
This involves launching your company at the best moment, taking enough time to develop your business plan and making decisive moves to get your business off the ground quickly. All these are affected by this, the success or faltering of competitors, availability of startup funds, and your own personal circumstances. While taking your time developing your plan, be careful not to wallow in early development and never even get off the ground.
- Self-discipline
Self-discipline, not just in terms of money, but including exercising self-control and sticking to your budget is a must. In every way, running a business – especially during the early stage – requires discipline in all areas, in terms of time, monetary and material resources. Know that start-ups require some measure of nurturing than established companies. Determine what needs to be done and, by when, and force yourself to stick to your benchmarks.
- Effective social skills
Having the ability to form new and nurture relationships and maintain existing ones is a major key for a business success. This may require you knowing people in high places in terms of their position in your industry, values of their intending investment. You need to keep seeking out opportunities to make connections with influential people.
- Flexibility
A key to staying relevance as a startup is ensuring flexibility on a consistent basis. It is tempting to become overly rigid considering the amount of time, effort and faith put into a business plan, and built on one business model but rigidity will do more harm than good in terms of the success of the business. It should be expected that at any point in the start-up process – from concept to execution – new factors may arise that will influence parts of your operations or branding. Putting your energy and emotions into a business plan is a good entrepreneurial practice – being glued to a specific method or course of action is not and should be discouraged. As an entrepreneur, be on a constant lookout for ways to adjust your operations, and be unafraid to make those adjustments when needed.
- Money
Every startup requires some measure of monetary investment. And, in the process of execution, more money may be required to keep the business on.
- Follow-through
Just having a thoughtful business plan, innovative and visionary ideas isn’t enough. Perseverance, the right skill-sets and appropriate knowledge is required to carry the whole endeavor to successful fruition. Developing the experience in the industry and having the energy to put in the work is a must for a successful startup.
