The nooks and crannies of running a small business

An increasing number of young people are embarking on business ventures, and it is great to notice that many are doing something for themselves to pay bills or just be independent. It is commendable that the youth use their time to create employment for themselves, instead of waiting to be employed. It is understandable that some businesses require a large amount of capital, but some businesses require very little to no capital. One can do hair, crochet, draw portraits or run errands for other people with the use of little capital.

There are, however, a number of businesses that lack certain values in terms of being successful companies. Here are some tips:

Be original

There is a trend of business owners advertising their services or products with googled pictures.

It is clearly misleading the public because what is displayed on the flyers or social media platforms is totally different from what is being sold. Business owners need to understand that customers want to be served exactly what they see, and Google pictures do not serve justice.

Matter of fact, customers end up feeling scammed. Nothing beats originality; it builds a legitimate image for the business in the long run. I advise those who are in business or want to venture into the business industry, to invest time in photographing their work for advertisement. Perfect the art and stay true to your brand.

Be professional and fair

Everyone needs to practice a level of professionality when they are in the business industry or in the space of serving people. Everyone deserves fair and equal treatment. We all need each other, and it is only fair that we treat each other as equals. Some businesses do the bare minimum in terms of service delivery towards people who are not popular, compared to how they go all out towards celebrities. Selective special treatment is not a good business character.

Communicate and be honest

Everyone is after the “bag” but it should be acquired fairly and through honesty. It is okay to say “No, I cannot deliver that service”, instead of agreeing to take up the job and not deliver. It is up to the service provider to keep the bar high by delivering exactly what is asked of them. Sometimes people find themselves in situations that are out of their control. Things happen, and communication is the most important aspect in running a business. Be honest about why delivery is delayed and what can be done next.

“DM for price”

Nothing is as annoying as the term “DM for price”. Advertise a product with its price to avoid the back-and-forth conversation about the price or availability of the product. Most times, people who are interested in a certain service get discouraged because it is too much admin. Imagine going to Mr Price and you have to ask for the price of every top in the store – annoying and strenuous.