5 Bad Business Mistakes

Okay entrepreneurs of the world. I know that if you are starting up, you are going to make mistakes. It’s part of the business. It doesn’t matter if it’s a side business or something that you are going to do for a living. If you are doing it on your own, you are bound to run into some heavy traffic on every side. So, here’s my recommendations of what not to do.

1. Don’t start without a system. A well known mistake is to start grabbing for work without having things in place. The amount of confusion that it causes is ridiculous. And, it leaves an open door for customers to come in and start problems.

2. Don’t let customers have their way. Whether it is a service or a product, make sure that you are in charge. The best advice I have ever gotten is to make sure that you have an air tight system that customers can’t slip through the cracks with.

3. Don’t fake it. My grandfather calls this ‘blue sky.’ It’s where businesses will make up their reputation, customers and advertising in order to draw people in. The problem is, it causes blue sky, meaning that they don’t have the honesty and sincerity to tell who they really are. Let your customers and other employees know that you are just starting, then build your reputation, not the other way.

4. Don’t act like you got it when you don’t. Making the transition from work world to entrepreneur world is a change in pace. When you have a boss, you sometimes have to fake doing work. When you are an entrepreneur, don’t do it. You will be much more respected if you ask questions and are honest with others…. even if it means you can’t do the work for them.

5. Don’t play stupid. Just because you are just starting doesn’t mean you are dumb. If you have a system down, there is no need for you to be “lost,” “confused,” “In the dark,” or anything else. I hate when new entrepreneurs play this game… everyone looses.

So, my real advice. Don’t be an idiot. Know what you are getting into, and get into it all the way. It will allow you to have a good business, not a chaotic one….even from the beginning.