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Monday, February 2, 2015

50 Ways NOT to Start and Run a Business


Plan to fail if you;

  1. Don't research the market you wish to enter
  2. Don't develop a business plan
  3. Don't create a business model
  4. Don't adjust your goals and plans as you move forward
  5. Don't create  3 year revenue and expense projections
  6. Don't understand the meaning of Cash Flow
  7. Don't create a budget and stick to it
  8. Don't keep receipts for every purchase no matter how small
  9. Don't keep good records
  10. Don't set money aside for tax payments. GST, PST, Income Tax
  11. Don't learn what is deductible and what is not. Accountants are not babysitters
  12. Don't set up a good bookkeeping system with the help of a good accountant
  13. Don't avail yourself of a good insurance agent
  14. Don't have insurance covering yourself and your key employees.
  15. Don't have business interruption insurance 
  16. Don't treat people as you would like to be treated
  17. Don't listen to good advice from peers
  18. Don't listen to your customers and clients
  19. Aren't prepared to go all out to satisfy an unhappy client or customer
  20. Don't consistently check your revenues against your expenses
  21. Don't pay your suppliers on time
  22. Don't contact your suppliers if your cash flow has slowed down and you need an extension
  23. Don't keep a journal and jot down ideas as they come to you
  24. Provide a product or a service no one wants
  25. Let your ego take over and ignore good advice
  26. Get married to your idea and don't listen to people offering ways to improve upon your idea
  27. Are arrogant and unbending
  28. Stop learning because you know it all
  29. Hire relatives and friends to save money instead of qualified personnel 
  30. Aren't  prepared to work long hours
  31. Aren't prepared to learn how to work smarter
  32. Don't take courses to improve your knowledge
  33. Don't join groups who can provide referrals
  34. Aren't prepared to network
  35. Chose cheaper materials for your products to save money
  36. Cut back on advertising and marketing during busy times. 
  37. Don't take your accountants advice
  38. Don't do your research on what is the best bank for your business. Not all banks are alike
  39. Don't keep money aside for a rainy day.
  40. Are not prepared to negotiate deals. Therefore give up something to get something
  41. Don't learn to bargain
  42. Don't become web savvy. 
  43. Don't take the time to learn more about marketing in the 21st century
  44. Don't use your family in the business to create additional tax benefits.
  45. Don't become tax smarter
  46. Don't read, read and read more about your industry and your clients industries
  47. Don't subscribe to influential trade magazines in your business
  48. Don't manage your time efficiently
  49. Are late for appointments, particularly with clients
  50. Don'r recognize good employees for their handwork and diligence
These are listed in no particular order of importance but do cover many of the reasons businesses fail. The old saying; "if you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" is as true today as when it was first stated by Benjamin Franklin. 

IN THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF THOMAS EDISON: