Since the end of 2019, the world has been thrown into complete chaos at times. From viruses and elections to the shutdowns that they caused, everything has been a bit of a mess at times. At one point, we all wondered what would happen and if the world could bounce back from everything that happened. Fast forward to now and everything has changed. We are still in the grips of a pandemic but we are learning to adapt.
How we do business has changed massively and there is a record number of new businesses which have appeared. These might be small, but they are thriving. If you are one of these small businesses, you may have discovered that your business is doing well. Actually, scratch that, you might have realised that your business is growing at a huge rate that you could not have predicted. If this sounds like you, then here are some ideas to help you get to grips with your business and its growth.
Start outsourcing
If you are a business of one, you are probably doing it all. And while it is admirable that you want to do everything yourself, it can be exhausting. What is the point of being your own boss if you can’t get any time to yourself or take time off? If you find that you are spending too much time doing busy work, you might need to start outsourcing. IT management is one of the most common things to outsource as it can be one of the most complicated things to try and manage if you have no IT experience. Depending on the business you are in, you should research your options to help lighten your workload.
Hire staff
Hiring staff might not seem like the best idea, especially if you consider your business to be a hobby business but even getting some help from a Temp Agency to help during busy periods can help to keep you on track. You never know, you could end up with a few extra sets of hands that you were not planning on having who are helping the business grow even more. The issue with staff can be the wages. What should you pay them? Can you afford to keep them on? Starting with temp staff can help you decide if you need workers or if they are more trouble than they are worth.
Grab some apps
Apps can be great. There is an app for everything these days and you should look into what type of apps can help you. Business banking can be done completely online, so can taxes, product orders and speaking to your customers. The best thing to do is work out what apps will work for you. However, don’t be jamming your phone with apps for the sake of it. Download a few that you think will be relevant and useful to you. Anything else, save the website on your laptop and use them on their web page if you don’t need the app.
Connect with likeminded people
Running a business by yourself can be tough, and it is definitely lonely at times. This is why you need to find people who are in the same boat. The local business people in your area will not be in the same industry as you but they might be experiencing the same issues that you face. Find your local business group to join the local community, but don’t forget about online communities too. There are plenty of spaces online for people in the same business as you to connect and share encouragement.
Check out insurances
Certain businesses require certain types of insurance. If you are a baking business, you should have the necessary insurance covers to keep you and your business covered. In this case, having certain types of insurance is the law. However, not everyone needs insurance, but they should get some. Having some kind of business insurance is a good idea because you can be protected from legal issues. As much as we want our customers to be wonderful, there will be the odd bad egg to deal with, and this is when having insurance can cover you.
Train your brain
If you get a moment to stop and breathe, you probably don’t want to spend that time training. But taking part in training groups or furthering your education in any way is good for you and your business. They say we stop living the day we stop learning, and the science behind keeping your mind sharp should not be ignored. It doesn’t have to be a PhD in psychology to master sales techniques but you can do that if you want. There is an abundance of free resources available that can help you achieve those “AHA” moments that help you achieve the next step in your business plan.
Small resources are still resources
Sometimes it is the small things that make our lives that little bit easier. It doesn’t matter if it is the calendar with the extra-large boxes to write things on or a subscription box that comes with stationary. It is the small things that can make all the difference. And, with this in mind, think about how your customers would love to be on the end of this mindset. Those small touches such as tissue paper for wrapping or the free item that you add every so often can help to keep your customers happy and you in business. These small things might help you to keep your sanity during the tough times too so seek out items that will bring you some joy.
Speak to an accountant
There will come a time that you will look at your business accounts and have a brief breakdown as you attempt to make sense of it. If you feel like throwing your laptop out of the window when you are doing your accounts, you might want to think about speaking to an accountant. Accountants are trained to look out for you and your money. A good accountant can spot issues, help you cut costs, and make sure that you are paying the right amount of tax. This can help remove a mental load from you and let you get on with running your business.
Reach out to your family
As we have said a few times, being in business can be lonely. It is great to have other business people to talk to and share things with, or staff around to have a chat with. But having someone to talk to doesn’t mean that you have to bare your soul to someone that you would class as a stranger. Having a member of your family that you can turn to can be a great relief. They don’t need to know anything about your business, but they can be a great place to bounce ideas off or just listen to you when you are having a bad day.
Having your own business in 2021 is definitely a rollercoaster and nobody is really sure what is coming next. What we do know is that the rules around business are changing and we need to roll with it. One of the best things you can do during this time is to relax and ride it out. If your business is doing well, great, and we hope it continues. If you feel that your business could do better, then it might be a matter of time before things pick up for you.
