Getting Started Overview

Everything you need to know about starting a business in a nutshell from Ventureport.org™—the Online Outfitter for the Entrepreneur’s Journey

Overview: Running Your Business

Many entrepreneurs have highly energetic personalities. They like to create ideas, sell, get people energized, rather than sweat the small details essential to running a business and keeping customers happy. If you don't have detail in your DNA, it's a good idea to find a business manager or partner who does, because it's the day-to-day details of running your business that will make or break you.

Systems. One way to simplify your business life is to create systems and processes for delivering your products or services. Systems and processes are standardized steps to follow, such as the cockpit check conducted by every pilot before takeoff. Pilots follow a precise checklist in the same order almost every time precisely so t they can make sure they cover every key step.

No matter what sort of product or service you provide, there are invariably a number of key steps involved with its delivery. It pays to create a written document or flow chart detailing precisely how you will deliver that product, and then continually to monitor your work to make sure the process or steps work in the long haul. You will frequently have to change these processes and steps to address changing customer needs and desires, but the more systematic you are in implementing your business, the easier it will be to grow should demand increase.

One word of caution: your systems and processes should always start with customer requirements and desires. Many companies become so enamored with their systems and processes, they forget the customer. The best companies continually adjust their systems and processes based on customer needs, not simply on their own convenience or desire to reduce costs.
Systems and processes are essential to the next subject: Scaling Your Business.

Click on Running Your Business for more articles and resources.