As human beings, we’re bound to make mistakes when running our business. But if we can keep these possible pitfalls top of mind, perhaps we can avoid them.
1. They don’t have a plan and a vision.
Set goals and milestones. Create a business plan that includes a marketing plan, a vision statement and a mission statement. Keep sight of the vision you had when you started your business.
2. They don’t leverage systems.
A few ways you can leverage systems:
- Set up an emailing marketing service to capture emails and send valuable content regularly via autoresponders.
- Set up a customer relationship database to manage your contacts and all the information about them you want to have at your fingertips.
- Document in writing tasks that you perform regularly in your business. Having a written procedure manual will not only help you remember the steps you need to take for any project or set of tasks that you perform regularly, but for tasks that you do outsource, you have the instructions all ready to go. And that brings us to our next point.
3. They think they can do it all themselves.
If you don’t surround yourself with a team who can help you, you’ll never be able to grow your business past a small, one-person operation. Outsource those tasks that you don’t do well and/or repetitive tasks that could be better handled by someone else. Hire a consultant, a business coach, a virtual assistant, a bookkeeper – whatever you need to keep your vision moving forward. And these should be people who will tell you the truth and encourage you to grow. That will allow you to focus on what you love to do best to grow your business, why you started your business in the first place.
4. They don’t develop a clear brand.
Your brand isn’t just about your logo. It’s everything about who you and your business are and what you stand for. Be sure and have a clear vision and make sure everything you present to the public for your business is in line with that vision.
5. They don’t put the client first.
This may be the most important mistake to avoid. Focus on what problems do your clients and prospects have that you can resolve, and let them know how you can accomplish that. If all you’re thinking about is how much money you want to make and not how you can help others, it will be an empty profit. What can you do to best serve your clients?
[tweetthis]Focus on what problems do your clients and prospects have that you can resolve.[/tweetthis]
What mistakes have you made as an entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them? Please let us know in the comments below.
Deidra Miller
Marketing and Administrative Consultant
