How to do the groundwork to ensure a successful small business

Take a look at any great structure and one thing that stands out in all of them is a strong foundation. The greatest buildings stand the test of time when they are built on sure foundation that will protect it from the shifting effects of the earth. Now think about a small business and its potential to become a big business, to become that large sky scraper in New York City. Wouldn't it be nice to maybe one day put that business into one of those large buildings? Before that ever happens, the business needs to have well thought through groundwork done in order to ensure that growth will not crumble under a poor foundation.

The groundwork of a small business all starts in one place: the big idea. What is this company supposed to be? Write down the main purpose of the company and list the goals in order of most important. Knowing these goals from the start will help keep the future business from straying from its intended purpose. For example, a mattress salesman one day decided he wanted to sell hot tubs. As it turned out, he wasn't offering a price that was even in competition with other places. On top of that, there wasn't even a strong market for hot tubs in the first place. He then realized that customers coming into that particular business weren't interested in buying hot tubs either. Know what the company is supposed to do. If those goals ever change after looking at what market needs are, then it will be done so thoughtfully.

Getting backing for the company is another part of the foundation that needs to be strong. If partners are going to come into the company early on to fund the project, make sure all agreements and terms are written down in paper and signed in a legal document. Never shake a hand and call it adequate, even if it is your best friend's hand you are shaking. Doing this could put personal profits in danger for the future. Deciding how much of the company the partner will own and for how long they will own it is all part of the groundwork for the business. Selling the idea to people with money is hard, but coming to terms and agreements on using that money and who gets paid what in the future is a whole other ball game.

Securing locations to run the business (offices, stores, shops, etc.) is another part of the groundwork that needs to be thought through before money is spent. Knowing whether the company is going to purchase property versus renting space both change the variable costs of the company. These are significant pieces of the financial puzzle that needs to be in place and clear in the overall picture of the process. Start by knowing what the needs of the business are now and what they might be in the future. Being able to grow and expand are extremely important for an ambitious business. Working into the game plan ways to grow will help make an expanding company successful.

These are only some of the aspects of the groundwork that needs to be thoroughly planned. Once all of the wants and needs of the company are specifically outlined and costs are balanced, then the company can move forward into the marketplace with confidence that they are prepared to deal with problems and thrive, rather than crumble under the changing pressures of the business world.