Despite the accessibility of launching a business in this day and age, a considerable number of startups fail. In actuality, only twenty-five per cent of newly established companies are able to make it past ten years of operations. Fortunately, you can improve your venture’s chances of succeeding where many others have not by learning from their mishaps and keeping yourself from the very same blunders they’ve committed. Here are some mistakes that all startup businesses must avoid.
1. Spending before shopping
For a business to make money, it must spend it too. However, to maximise your profit margins, you must find ways to keep your fixed costs low without compromising the products offered or services rendered. And one of the simplest ways to keep your overheads low is by shopping first before you make any purchases. After all, you’re likely to spend much more than what you need to if you spend impulsively. And a small investment of time in considering all available options for any necessary equipment, materials, or services now will ultimately save you a lot of money later on.
2. Keeping everything in-house
More often than not, most startups have little more than a modest budget to work with. And to drive down their fixed costs, many make the mistake of trying to keep all of the work in-house. While this might save some money in the short-term, it can have a negative impact on the company in the long run because it may spread your resources too thin and cost you more money as a result. So when in doubt, don’t be afraid to outsource. From hiring an IT company for cybersecurity needs to securing the logistics and packing services of a fulfilment company, outsourcing will help you maintain an efficient and productive company.
3. Not planning for contingencies
No matter the industry, success can’t always be guaranteed. And to survive in the less-than-predictable economic landscape of today, planning for contingencies is a necessity that no startup should ever be without. After all, if you don’t have a back-up plan in place, it’s unlikely that your startup will survive any potential problems like downtimes. And the time that you take in preparing for any issues will pay dividends in keeping your business from going under in the event of any trouble and adversity.
4. Overworking
It’s not uncommon for many entrepreneurs to work their fingers to the bone to get their startup where they want it to be. However, doing too much work and burning yourself out is just as bad – if not worse – than doing very little. So make sure that you give yourself a break every once in a while. Not only will you avoid any health-related problems. But you’ll also avoid making mistakes due to fatigue and exhaustion.
There’s no one strategy that will guarantee the success of your business venture. However, by avoiding the mistakes listed in this article, you’ll be able to minimise the chances of dealing with any problems and issues with your company, and, in turn, maximise your chances to attain stability and growth.
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