Wally Bock is one of Americas top management coaches. To celebrate National Entrepreneurship week in the US and his 25th anniversary in business he has been reflecting on what advice he would give to people thinking of starting a business now.
His advice includes the following:
- If you’re thinking about starting a business today, listen. It will always be hard. It will never be the right time. You will never know enough. And you are certain to have at least one big, bad surprise along the way.
- Hook up with people who can fill in your gaps and give you good advice. Learn the basics of business.
- I suggest that you acquire a rudimentary knowledge of bookkeeping. It will help you understand, in your bones, that to make Profit go up, either Expenses have to go down or Revenue has got to go up.
- Cash flow is king. You can make a profit and still be in trouble if your cash flow is bad.
- No marketing, no money. It doesn’t matter how good your product or service is. It won’t sell itself.
- You have to be willing to be accountable for everything. For some people that creates awesome stress. Others use it as a source of energy.
It all sounds pretty spot on to me – and not a word about a business plan! I would especially endorse the recommendation about hooking up with people who can fill your gaps. Recognise your strengths and play to them. Recruit others who love to do the stuff that you hate.
The best entrepreneurs, who start the most successful businesses, are builders of great teams.
You can read his full article here.