Loads of people want to start a business. Wanting to start a company and having what it takes to do so are two different things. You can’t just wake up one day and think “Today I am going to be a businessman.” Instead, you need to spend loads of time planning your business and making sure that it will work. Real entrepreneurs know that running a business means hard work and little rest. Here are six signs that your business will fail.
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You have failed to get the right certifications
When you start a new business, you need to make sure that you have all the right certifications. You need to get special licences and health and safety documents. If you work in a specialist industry, such as the food sector, you need to ensure that you get the right materials so that you can serve food. For example, if you are serving kosher dishes, you need to get authentication from a company like Earth Kosher.
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You have no financial plan
Tight finances are the key to any successful business. That means that you need to make a budget before you start your new venture. If you try ‘winging it,’ you will fail. If you don’t pay close attention to your outgoings, you could find yourself in debt fast. Keeping track of your finances is never easy. You may need to hire an accountant to help you out. Whatever you do, you need to ensure that you don’t ignore your money issues.
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You’ve never heard of market research
If you have never heard of market research, you are on a one-way road to failure. People who fail to research market trends never make it in the complicated world of business. Before you settle on an idea for your new venture, you need to ensure that you have the right idea in place. You might think that your concept is innovative and new, but if you don’t do your research, you could be mistaken. You will save yourself a lot of money and time by doing your research.
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You are going with your gut
Having an idea and just running with it might sound like a dream, but it is only that. If you go with your gut without identifying any problems, you will struggle to create a successful venture. Make sure that you understand any possible drawbacks of your business before you start pumping money into it.
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You don’t know where you will be in five years time
Everybody needs a five-year plan. Where do you see yourself and your business in five years’ time? Do you even know? Many businessmen make the mistake of making a short-term plan and reviewing it as they go along. You should avoid doing that. Instead, you need to look at the big picture. What do you hope your enterprise will achieve in the future? What steps can you take to reach your long-term goals? Answer these questions before you do anything else.
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You don’t have the right skill set
When you are entering a specific industry, you need to ensure that you have the right skill set to pull it off. For example, if you are going into a creative industry, such as graphics, you need to make sure that you have a strong imagination. Many people think that they can pick up almost any skill along the way. You can’t. Some people spend their entire life perfecting certain skills. Make sure that you are well-suited to the industry you hope to enter. That way, you can be sure you will succeed.
