Are You Making These Easy Business Mistakes?
Running a business is hard. You might have noticed this fact if you’ve tried running one yourself. There are so many responsibilities to manage, decisions to make, people to organize, and clients or customers to please that this process can often feel like spinning a million plates at once.
Oh, and we shouldn’t forget to mention that the market is constantly evolving, your competition is actively trying to put you out of business to take your market share by being a better alternative, and any business decision you make can affect the general trajectory of your success more than you imagine.
This might not sound like the most encouraging article up to this point, but the truth is that by relaying how difficult running a company can be, we hope to reassure you that mistakes are natural, to some degree unavoidable, and can be fixed.
Knowing that you’re not the only one with a launch that failed, an email snafu, or a mega miscommunication, can help ease your entrepreneur anxiety. In fact, we even see international conglomerates make the same errors and missteps as they grow, too.
In this post, we’ll discuss business mistakes that someone of a small-level or even mid-level enterprise can easily fall into. We hope these tips can help you navigate some of the challenges you might face along the way and set you up for success. With that in mind, here are 3 things to consier:
Streamlining Your Digital Suites
It’s very easy to onboard with a million software apps if you’re not careful, and over time this can only lead to confusion and a lack of streamlined consistency. For example, you might use Slack, Notion, Microsoft Suite, three different content management systems, a customer support software solution, and more. Odds are, leveraging all the features of more well-built software tools can help you address most of the necessities you’re working with. Moreover, using Managed IT Solutions that take care of hosting and cloud storage can also ensure reliability and capability as time goes on.
Overpromising
Companies need revenue to sustain themselves, which is why it’s very easy to try and acquire clients at any cost. But if you don’t have the proper systems and software in place, you won’t be able to retain them. A client let down by your management will most likely never come back, and even warn others to avoid your service. That’s why it’s essential not to overpromise or grow too fast in the startup stage. Make sure to be realistic about what you can offer, delivery deadlines, and customer support responses. Don’t underestimate the power of a good SOP (standard operating procedure) and good systems. You never get a second chance to make a first impression so make it count.
Failing To Be Visible
Content and copywriting are priceless, but ultimately customers want to know WHO they are doing business with. With social media and all the online options for vetting a company, people want to see the face behind the brand. You don’t need to slap your image on all of your branding, but a healthy meet-the-team page, networking at local business conventions, and welcoming clients personally can make all the difference in “customer experience” and establishing trust. Humanizing your brand is so effective.
All of the above advice can help your business avoid making these common and easy-to-make business mistakes.
Melissa Stewart is the founder of SheOwnsIt.com. She is a Purveyor of Possibility, Entrepreneur Advocate and Coffee Addict. She believes that behind every successful woman is her story. What’s your story?
