Don’t think this means your business should fail – it shouldn’t. But you can still learn valuable lessons from businesses that have already taken a dive and have no hope of revival. Who knows? Maybe if you learn these lessons before you stumble upon them in your journeys, you might just be able to avoid the mistakes completely and never have to worry about them ever bringing down your business.
Stop! – Then Leap
We’re not saying that you shouldn’t launch your IT business – we can probably help you, in fact! However, what we are saying is that you should think out your plan before you decide to dive head-first into a puddle of mud. Ask yourself the important questions first, like “is there room for me in the niche I want to be in?” and “how can I reach the people I want to market to?” You don’t need to have a sketch of every step, but you should know the basic ways you’re going to get off the ground.
Don’t Feel Bashful About What You Have to Say
You shouldn’t try to sell your business, products, and ideas to everyone who walks by, but you shouldn’t be shy about your business, either. If you start a conversation in the elevator and someone mentions they could use services like yours, don’t be afraid to step up and tell them that you can help. Be genuine, passionate, and bold. Walk that fine line between being pushy and being appropriately showy.
Ask the Right Questions
Ultimately, mistakes will be made, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t avoid the vast majority of those mistakes by simply asking the right questions. Ask yourself the right questions, ask your vendors the right questions, and ask your employees the right questions, too. It’s your job to learn how certain products, services, and knowledge will affect your business, and if you don’t do your best to figure those things out on your own, just remember: no one is going to figure it out for you.
So are you asking the right questions? Are you looking before you leap? Are you being the bold entrepreneur you know you should be? If your answer to all of these questions is a “yes,” then you’re on your way to getting your business on the road to success.