General Business Advice

I decided to write this article to give general business advice because I got a lot of help and advice when I was starting and I want to help others on their entrepreneurship journey. It’s in no particular order; I’m just free-flowing as I love to do.

Remember I’m not a professional writer; I’m a natural chatter box.

1. Deciding on a catchy, easy to remember Business Name is important. Frankly, I would stay away from Business Names with Family names in it. That’s a thing of the past.
2. Logo – Outsource your logo design to a professional graphic designer. Your logo says a lot about you and will serve as your unique identifying mark.
3. Website – Outsource your website to a professional. There are many persons all over offering this service. Do your research and then make an informed decision.
4. Location is also very critical to the success of your business. Your target market will be crucial in your location decision, but affordability will also help to serve as a guide.
5. Insurance – Many persons tend to ignore this aspect of business but it’s better to be protected than be exposed. The consequences of ignoring this aspect of business can be very devastating.
6. Technology – Use technology to your advantage. Use computers, smartphones, tablets and other gadgets to manage your business, improve customer experience, etc.
7. Advertise – Spend on advertising. Advertising is an investment. Do smart advertising, know where your target market is reachable. For example if you target market is millennials, then you may want to spend your advertising dollars on web based advertising instead of Television Ads.
8. Brand – Entrepreneurs are the greatest brand ambassadors. People look at the way you walk, talk, drive, dress, eat, etc. You are under constant scrutiny. People support your business either because you are good at what you do, you offer good service/products, and your prices are good or they just simply like you. Unless you are the sole provider of your goods/services people will not support you if they don’t like you (in most cases, particularly when they have options).
9. Join the local Chamber of commerce, Kiwanis or other non-profit organization. Networking is business-critical. Align yourself with these organizations and serve. Don’t just be a member, get involved and get on committees and boards. Be an influencer and not just a follower. It may take time before you see the benefits of social networking, but it is definitely worth the time and effort expended.
10. Give back. – Sponsor/support local charities. Salvation Army, red-cross, schools, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), etc.
11. Punctuality – Always be on-time. People take time for granted, time is money. Time is valuable. I hate to hear people talk about Jamaican time. Time is time. 12pm is 12pm, not 12:30pm.
12. Customer is King – I couldn’t agree with this more. Management don’t pay staff, customers do. Management is responsible for managing the money customers spend. Without customers the business would not exist.

#membamitoldu