Starting a small business has become a lot easier thanks to information and resources being easily available. Budding entrepreneurs realize that it is easy to lure investors by establishing a small business with a proven track record. As a result, there a number of small businesses popping up every day. However, only a few of these businesses prove to be successful. Almost everyone who starts a small business follows the same basic principles. However, it is the little details that often make the difference between success and failure. Here are 3 top tips to help you start a small business and ensure that it is well established in the market:
Do your research:
Many people who start a business do it on the basis that their business knowledge and acumen will prove to be enough. However, that is not always the case. Knowledge can only go so far; in order for knowledge to be of any use, it is necessary to supplement it with current information. This is where research steps in and proves its worth. It is not uncommon to hear of small businesses investing heavily in market research firms even before the business is properly setup. To many, this may seem like an extravagant luxury. In reality, the data collected by research proves to be invaluable. Every penny spent on research often multiplies as profit for the company in the long run. Do your research and you will get a fair idea of where your new small business will stand in the market.
Do not be afraid of technology:
Never hesitate to adopt new technology for your small business. History is filled with examples of small businesses that incorporated the latest technologies and proved onto become major successes. Of course this does not give you permission to go on a spending spree and buy a laptop for every one of your employees; common sense goes a long way in determining what is and isn’t required. Look out for technological developments that not only can be incorporated into your small business, but also form a foundation which allows for expansion.
Slow and steady wins the race:
We have all heard the tale of the tortoise and the hare and how the slow and steady tortoise won the race. Our real life experiences however tell us that in modern times, speed equals efficiency; where ‘you snooze, you lose’ is an apt corporate mantra. However, for a small business the slow and steady approach always proves to be the best option. Sure investors like the jib of a company that grows fast, but what they are really looking for is a solid and steady foundation. Small businesses that grow slowly, but at a steady rate are often more prized that their high-risk quick-growth counterparts.
Starting your own small business is one of the most fulfilling experiences in a person’s life. By taking the right steps, you can ensure that your small business thrives and blooms into the success you were hoping it would be. The three tips mentioned should help give your small business a solid footing.
This guest post is written by Lauren Harvey. She provides small business tips along with packaging solutions through http://www.kitepackaging.co.uk/mcp/white-cardboard-boxes/ giving your deliveries a classy, elegant touch.
Q: What do you call a blonde in the freezer?
A: A Frosted Flake.
A blonde went to the emergency room with the tip of her left index finger blown off. “How did this happen?” the doctor asked. “Well I was trying to commit suicide,” the blonde replied. “Trying to commit suicide by shooting your finger?” “No silly! First I put the gun to my chest and I thought, ‘I just paid $6,000 for these,’ then I put it in my mouth and I thought, ‘I just paid $4,000 to get my teeth fixed.’ So then I put the gun in my ear and I thought, ‘this is going to make a loud noise,’ so I put my finger in my ear before I pulled the trigger.”
A man and a woman who have never met before find themselves in the same sleeping carriage of a train.
After the initial embarrassment they both go to sleep, the woman on the top bunk, the man on the lower. In the middle of the night the woman leans over, wakes the man and says, “I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m awfully cold and I was wondering if you could possibly get me another blanket.” The man leans out and, with a glint in his eye, says, “I’ve got a better idea… just for tonight, let’s pretend we’re married.” The woman thinks for a moment. “Why not,” she giggles.
“Great,” he replies, “Get your own damn blanket!”
19 A guy dies and is sent to Hell. Satan meets him, shows him doors to three rooms, and says he must choose one spend eternity in. In the first room, people are standing in **** up to their necks. The guy says “no, let me see the next room.” In the second room, people are standing with **** up to their noses. Guy says no again. Finally, Satan opens the door to the third room. People are standing with **** up to their knees, drinking coffee and eating danish pastries. The guy says, “I pick this room.” Satan says okay and starts to leave, and the guy wades in and starts pouring some coffee. On the way out Satan yells, “O.K., coffee break’s over. Everyone back on your heads!”
55 A father is explaining ethics to his son, who is about to go into business. “Suppose a woman comes in and orders a hundred dollars worth of material. You wrap it up, and you give it to her. She pays you with a $100 bill. But as she goes out the door you realize shes given you two $100 bills. Now, heres where the ethics come in: should you or should you not tell your partner?” (Henny Youngman)
75 Two campers are hiking in the woods when one is bitten on the rear end by a rattlesnake. “Ill go into town for a doctor,” the other says. He runs ten miles to a small town and finds the towns only doctor, who is delivering a baby. “I cant leave,” the doctor says. ‘But heres what to do. Take a knife, cut a little X where the bite is, suck out the poison and spit it on the ground.” The guy ruins back to his friend, who is in agony. ‘What did the doctor say?” the victim asks. “He says youre gonna die.”
The perfect man is gentle
And never cruel or mean.
He has a perfect smile
And is always neat and clean.
The perfect man likes kids
And will raise them by your side.
He will be a caring father,
And good husband to his bride.
The perfect man loves cooking.
He will clean and vacuum, too.
He’ll do what’s in his power
To show his love for you.
The perfect man is sweet,
Writing poems with your name.
He’s a best friend to your mother
And will kiss away your pain.
He never makes you cry
Nor caused you hurt in any way.
To hell with this endless poem —
The perfect man is gay.
POST YOUR JOKES!!!!
BEST JOKE GETS 10!
Prison Break
Charles paced down the granite footpath, the gentle tip tap of his footsteps was all that could be heard. Rays of sunshine had broken through the thin layer of for creating an incandescent glow all around him. He came to a large old building, located at the end of long road, seemingly tucked away from all other life. A sanctum. The building had a cornucopia of different rooms and towers all spiraling off the main building. It looked as if it had been made in different parts, then fused together to make a rabble of different rooms. Despite these attributes it still seemed very inviting. With pillars at either side of the huge and beautifully crafted mahogany doors. And a small set of stairs leading towards that, a stunning velvet rug lay before the door in a rich shade of red. Most of the main building was white, with contrasting black Tudor style beams crossed over each other. The large windows were crosshatched with black painted iron, some of it was rusted and split. Charles stepped up to the doors and inserted a large golden key that was hanging around his neck by a necklace into it. He turned it clockwise. There was a deep clunking noise as if two pieces of metal had been diffused, and the heavy doors edged open with the assistance of Charles. Once in he re-closed the doors. The main room consisted of a three-hundred and sixty degree angle desk in the middle, and two grand staircases at either side leading to the upper level were privileged to be carpeted with the same velvet that was outside, and underneath them were many doors. Once inside the sheer size of the building reveals itself. Also there were many different styles of paintings all over the walls. Charles gave a sigh of relief, then turned around and crossed November 13th off the almanac.
He looked out the window and observed that the sun was at its zenith. He checked this against the pocket watch that was tucked into the top pocket of his suit, twelve o’clock exactly – he liked to make sure they were synchronised correctly. He was obsessively compulsive like that. people often spoke of him as too meticulous, if there is such a thing.
He started walking upstairs. He briefly looked at the sign at the top of the stairs above the archway that led of from the stairs. It was gold incrusted “Great London Museum”. He was on his way to admire their most recent and valuable piece (And also his personal favourite.) The golden ancient Egyptian vase, covered in pictures of the sphinx. It was beautiful in many ways. But once inside the steel volt guarding the estimated 1.2 million pound vase, he looked into the bullet proof glass case that was protecting it and it had vanished. His heart sank like the sun sets on a cold winters night.
Charles was diverted from staring at that terrible occurrence that had happened by the sound of familiar laughter coming from down the hallway. It was his co- creator Peter, who had been a very trusted friend of his for a great number of years. Peter walked into the room sniggering. “Was this you’re doing!”. Charles shouted with much confusion in his voice. There was a pause for a few moments then Peter started to speak. “Do you remember what I said to you on the day we met, at the interview for who would be the creator of the Great London Museum. When that twisted idiot wrongly gave the job to you. I said to you it was a tough business and to trust nobody. Obviously you haven’t heeded to my wise words.” There was a silence as Peter walked closed to Charles. “My good friend Police Chief inspector May agreed to help me frame you. He hated your guts. I wanted you’re place at the museum and he wanted you locked up for what you told his wife. We both got what we wanted”. “But i thought we were close”. Said Charles with much pessimism in his voice. “I like to keep my friends close, and my enemies even closer”. Charles gave him a look of disgust. “Anyway must dash, May will be along soon. Farewell” Said Peter as he walked back down the hallway. Charles stood up with a look of revenge on his face and picked up a fragment of glass from the floor and through it at the wall with much anger. It had cut his hand deep and blood was spewing from the wound, but he didn’t care. Just then May walked in. “I can’t believe you’re doing this” said Charles. No wonder Susan left you ” he continued. “How dare you!” Screamed May, As he ripped out his baton and ran towards Charles. He battered him repeatedly until he was knocked out. Charles fell un-conscious.
I want to start a small business more of an internet business. I don’t need much money to start just a big clientel. I dont know whether i need a license or schooling? It’s really not a complicated business but just kinda need the quick guide of how to get started. Or if i can just open a website and start advertising and just go?
I am interested in knowing the top concerns of small business owners and entrepreneurs. What worries you at 3am? What excites you so much that you can’t sleep? What keeps you awake – for positive or negative reasons?
Hi, I have a small business, very small, I am a floral designer and event planner, I’m only doing about 8-15 weddings a year rite now, will grow in the future. I am DBA and have my tax ID number. I am hoping to open a new checking account to keep these funds apart from normal household funds, just to keep track.
If I open a small business account, does this affect how my taxes are filed? I live in Michigan if that helps.
Im looking at setting up a business so im looking for more oppinions/help on the issue for small business and potential small business people such as myself
thanks for your time and if you have any links to any things which can help me on the issue is most welcome e.g. how to market the business, suppliers for small business etc