Many business owners enter the market and they can eventually be forced into dealing with something unexpected. Many people need to start their own businesses, because they are unable to find job or get fired. Unfortunately, it could mean that many business owners are poorly prepared to maintain a successful business. They may lack enough knowledge, skill and experience in marketing, human resource management, finance and others. Naturally, business owners tend to obtain more sales, but they could neglect other essential tasks in the company. Even if a small business may generate substantial sales, inefficiency could erode much of the profit, due to high operational costs and financial mistakes. In fact, some small businesses that enjoy good sales could go insolvent due to improper internal operations and inefficiencies. Eventually, businesses may run out of cash and make bad business decisions.
Poor human management control could also cause employees to behave improperly, including embezzling the company. When entering the market, new business owners should try to stay inside their circle of competence. They should think long and hard, before venturing into other market or trying something new. Other thing that people should do is to keep focused on their cash flow. The whole game would be over too soon, if the cash dries up. The problem can become even worse in a hard economic time. We should set up a simple system to allow us monitor our cash. In any case, we should avoid signing sureties. And when our cash runs out, it is important resist the temptation for increasing the overdraft by going to the bank. Even in difficult times, it is important for business owners to act ethically. Improper emotional condition could lead to unethical business practices.
Business owners should have clear line that they shouldn’t cross over. Business owners can be desperate and become unethical to maintain their business operations. As an example, in order to reduce costs, some business owners may implement tax avoidance measures, which can backfire in the future. They may also operate illegally by using improper materials that may harm consumers. Restaurants and foodstuff producers that don’t comply with local health regulations can be shut down by any authority. It is important for us to take time, so we are able to work on our business in a proper way. We need to review where our business is going and it is important that we are able to improve our operations. It is also important to find business advice whenever we can. One of the biggest risks that we can get is by having improper business advice, Bad advice could lead to bad business decisions. It is important to double check any business advice that we get and it is important to rely on our common sense. Another very dangerous risk is by having only a single customer or supplier. Relying too much on a single person or organization could bring significant problems in the future. In the end, it is important for us to keep watchful eyes on any unusual thing that may affect our business.
