Starting a new commercial enterprise, creating a logo, or turning into a founder of a startup is overwhelming. You will be warmly excited due to the fact you’ll revel in some of the fine reports of your life. You are going to embark on a new adventure wherein you will see quite a few ups and downs. In addition, it makes you a higher and more professional individual. The internet is packed with statistics that you have to observe beforehand you organize a business. But there are fewer people to inform you approximately the stuff you need to avoid for your brand. Today we will talk about the practices to avoid when you are organising your empire.
Do not Spend too much time on the Business Plan
Of course, it’s beneficial to have structure for your starting and a clear, visible vision when starting a business. A formal, meticulous, and minutely detailed business plan at your seed stage, however, is a huge waste of time and resources, according to our panelists and Bentley professor Alain Hanover (who is also a seasoned entrepreneur and investor). This is because you will probably throw it out or completely rework it after your first meeting.
Cort Johnson ’06, a serial entrepreneur and investor who graduated from Bentley, advises against wasting a lot of time perfecting your company strategy. Rather, he advises using a straightforward 10-page PowerPoint deck that addresses all the crucial points, including yours. Including market, team, advisors, Competitors, existing problems, the solution to the problem, product or brand development strategy, etc.
Don’t be afraid to change path
This is okay to change your path if the path you are starting is not what you want. Changing your field is okay because everyone has the right to choose their own hell. This way you are open to work in whatever domain you are comfortable with The founder of Boston’s Mother Juice food truck, Ellen Fitzgerald, reminds out that key components of your company plan, such as revenue streams (in her case, wholesale sales of raw juice), may also completely shift if you run into legal or other constraints. Do not let your fear of altering your mind prevent you. Be adaptable and open to pivoting from the start.
Fitzgerald says that no matter how much time you spend on your business plan, you won’t be able to foresee all of the difficulties you’ll encounter. “When that happened to us, we switched to corporate catering, which has turned out to be a lot more profitable venture for us. Don’t let challenges depress you; they have occurred in every single organization. Simply change course and try again.
Do not run to be the first in the market
Being the first mover is cool but it is not the best practice to do. This way there is a thin line to success, it’s better to do deep research on the product and take out the best product for your consumers. There is a culture of panic that may take hold and make even seasoned entrepreneurs concerned about the need to get the first firm or product to market, or the first to “disrupt” a certain industry, in order to ensure market supremacy, particularly in the “Speed Wins” era of consumer companies.
The first to market is not usually the stable market leader, our experts point out. Instead, they may produce a verifiable illustration of market demand and traction that you can utilize to improve the execution of your business strategy and perhaps even smooth the way for the securing of funding. This may include learning from the design, functionality, marketing, funding, promotional print and packaging, or adoption errors of your early competitors. if you run a software firm or develop mobile apps. This can just entail expanding the market for the kind of goods you’re selling and giving you the chance to innovate if you’re starting a conventional brick-and-mortar firm.
Do not Ignore Paperwork
Custom board books or paperwork is important to do for your business. In the startup industry, tales of businesses whose collaborations came to an expensive and violent end are all too typical. It may have a negative impact on the company’s lifespan or the founders’ financial success.
“You work with a friend to launch a business when you just have a concept. It may seem absurd to ask a lawyer to put it in writing for you, but Fitzgerald advises doing so since those documents will be crucial if something were to happen to your partnership. Take the documentation of your ownership position and your collaborations seriously, even in the very early phases of your business. Find local or online resources that can assist in drafting your legal framework for free or pro bono by doing some research.
Ask for Funding from the right people only
Yes, it is acceptable to approach friends and family for financial support if you are working on a modest project and only require $50,000. However, it might be challenging to involve people you know in bigger undertakings. (Need persuasion? Watch the Joy movie’s family dynamics.)
Additionally, you shouldn’t contact every potential investor out there. Hanover advises against muddying up your investor group if you don’t have to. Shopping your chance around may result in you becoming used goods because some venture capitalists want to be the first ones in the door. “Once you shop the deal, word gets out,” he asserts. “There are very few investors in the world.” By approaching the incorrect investors or too many of them, you run the risk of damaging your chances.
Hire smart people, do not rush
It can be challenging to assemble the ideal team. There are instances when you want to push things along quickly. However, in the long term, taking your time might significantly add value. Spend the time and effort screening prospects upfront. Bring in workers who are capable of both performing the task and thinking a little more deeply. Look for colleagues who can contribute distinctive resources, networks, and skills—or even just distinctly culture-creating personalities—to the table.
