Let's face it, every entrepreneur's first
start-up is a fish-out-of-water- experience; new territories usually are. One
of the best ways to tackle the unfamiliarity of business ownership however is
to learn from those who have gone before you. Most entrepreneurs have a laundry
list of things they've had to do, and redo multiple times before getting things
right. Fortunately, we've got our laundry list of mistakes you should avoid to
make your startup success attainable.
A
Saturated Market
One of the more challenging tasks of being
an entrepreneur is knowing how to reason with yourself and be honest in those
responses. This is particularly true at the conception stage of your startup.
You come up with an idea for your business, you believe in it, and you start
investing time, energy, and resources to make your vision materialize. Finally,
when you launch, you realize that the market is too saturated and your attempt
to transcend your peers failed. Just like that, your business dissolves.
Unfortunately, this is a common mistake.
When you have an idea for a startup, it is
imperative to implement a market research component that facilitates your place
in the designated industry. If you haven't invented something it is more than
likely the case that your business idea already exists. Know who your
competitors are, how the market is performing, and whether it makes sense to
invest in a business idea that has seen one too many launches.
Launching
too quickly or too slowly
Having a new business can be exciting and
that excitement can persuade you to place your product or service in the hands
of consumers as fast as possible. Prematurely launching your business can kill
it. There is nothing quite like introducing an ill-prepared product to a
consumer. On the other hand, it is equally detrimental if you have a successful
product and you are unable to keep up with the demand for it. Take some time
and nurture your idea to control for foreseeable outcomes like these.
It is also possible to launch too slowly.
Some startups require a large amount of preparation time. Research, testing,
and funding are among the primary factors that can delay a launch. However, if
you are taking too long to make your business accessible, perhaps it has no
place in the market. Otherwise, you're hurting your business if you withhold
something that is on demand and is necessary to your consumers. They may stop
waiting. If you are slow to launch, there should be substantial reason.
Poor
Investment Strategy
Every business wants to grow, but that
growth is heavily predicated on how money is managed. Your business should be
your investment manager's priority. Monitor the monetary flow and forecast of
your startup to effectively regulate where you can make more money and where
you should pull back a bit. Further, investments should yield growth and this
should not be interpreted as investing solely in the interest of shareholders.
Investments should also be made in favour of consumers; they make the business.
“If you invest in your users, your investors will benefit regardless”.
No
Target Audience
It's unfortunate that some startups fail
due to the lack of a clear and definitive consumer. Knowing who you are selling
your product to is instrumental in startup success. A designated target
audience helps drive marketing and promotion strategies, product development,
and sale projection. When you have a target audience you are aware of exactly
where to find your market and how to control it and be competitive. On the
other hand, failure to determine a specific group to which to market your
product can result in financial loss and over-investment.
A
Divided Team
Lastly, if your team does not share your
vision, you are doing a disservice to your business. Hire like-minded people
who share your values, but differ in creativity and skill; this will diversify
and enhance your business potential.
Starting a business can be intimidating,
but minimizing your mistakes can make the ride a little less bumpy and a little
more successful.
