Most small business owners have big hopes and dreams about growing their business, but only a small fraction of entrepreneurs reach the peak of success. Too many of these businesses fail. It is a sad fact that 60% of small businesses could barely operate within the first three years of starting according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Sole proprietors have much lower survival rate than other types of business ownership.
Since there are only a few businesses that flourish, what does it take to survive and thrive? Successful business owners have a set of best practices that they regularly follow: investing in the right business tools, setting goals, planning for business growth and the list goes on.
In cases where business fails to grow, there are top 4 reasons they could not survive:
1. Lack of systems and process
Small businesses have to keep track of every transaction especially if it involves money. Having systems and processes in place ensures products and services are consistently managed. Small business owners are responsible for inventory management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, marketing, payroll and more. Unlike large companies that can already afford to hire people to do these jobs, small businesses have to juggle these tasks at the same time. There are three things that failed small businesses fail to implement: comprehensive bookkeeping process, customer relationship management system and inventory management system.
2. Not having enough funds
It is difficult for business owners to open doors to new customers without sufficient funds. Most businesses fail because they underestimate the amount of cash it takes to maintaing a business. Financing supports inventory purchases, business expansion, startup costs and business improvements. It is imperative that you plan the amount of capital that starting a small business requires. This way you can anticipate other expenses without breaking the bank.
3. Failure to adapt
Even if your small business has savored its initial success, it does not guarantee continued success. When you fail to monitor industry trends and changes, this is when you start falling behind your competitors. It is not uncommon for small business owners to wear many different hats and struggling with managing their time. This is why preparing for the changes becomes takes a backseat. When one area becomes obsolete, all aspects of the business become affected. Small businesses must be prepared to beat the competition by staying ahead of market trends.
4. Not using modern technology
When it comes to marketing your products and services, taking advantage of modern technology is necessary. It is difficult for small businesses to compete with big company because they do not have data-driven marketing. Even a simple task such as creating a website matters when it comes to keeping your product available to prospects. If your business does not have a mobile-friendly website, it will be difficult for you to keep up wth the giants in the business industry.
