Tips Play the long game

The drive to start a business for many arises from the need to do something to make money. It could be due to inability to get a good job on time, doing something by the side to make extra money or the desire to be selfemployed. There is nothing wrong with a profit motive in business. The business has to be profitable to keep running on a sustainable basis. The challenge with focusing on profit is that you may miss the big picture and end up going out of business due to technological trends.

Success does not happen suddenly. It takes growth which happens slowly. It requires patience to stay the course. This means you have a big picture in mind. Starting a business is not just about creating a product or service to make money from it. It should be a stepping stone to something greater. That is called the long game.

Successful entrepreneurs start small with one aspect of a business, grow it until they become successful and then use that success as a springboard to launch another aspect of the business. Amazon started as an online bookstore. It has since successfully branched out into other areas. Being the king of a small jungle should not be your end game. Start small; grow it slowly with the big picture in mind. Think long term. Play the long game.

Usiere Uko is a business & finance coach and author of Practical Steps to Financial Freedom & Independence. Email usiere@gmail.com, to order the book, call or SMS to 0808 275 0980 visit www.financialfreedominspiration. com . Follow me on twitter @usiere