o build a successful business, you need more than a good—or even great—idea. You have to be well organized, flexible, and creative, and develop a knack for paying close attention to the details while never losing sight of the big picture. You should also be prepared to make some personal sacrifices. Whatever type of business you have in mind, these nine basic tips, with links to additional advice, can help you get it started and keep it growing.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Starting and growing a business requires good organizational skills, creativity, and constant focus, among other essentials.
- It’s important to be aware of your competition, particularly the things it is doing that you might want to adopt or improve upon.
- You’ll almost certainly end up working harder for yourself than you would for someone else, so be prepared to make some sacrifices in your personal life.
To achieve success as a business owner you first have to be well organized. That will help you complete tasks efficiently and stay on top of the many things that need to be done. A simple way to get and stay organized is to create a to-do list each day. As you complete each item, check it off your list. Remember, too, that some tasks are more important than others. Aim to tackle the high-priority ones first.
There are many online resources that are available to help. They include tools like Slack, Asana, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams. That being said, a simple Excel spreadsheet will meet many of a small business’s organizational requirements, especially in the early days.
