Overcoming Small Business Failure and Thrive in Hard Times

Conduct Frequent SWOT Analyses of Your Business System

A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is an examination of the internal and external areas of your business.

Manage Cash Flow Efficiently

Without consistent cash flow, your business will eventually dry up and die. You need to have money coming in, or you won’t be able to pay expenses. First, have a cash flow forecast so you know what money is coming in and out. Remember, this is only a forecast, but it will give you insight into your financial future.

Use the forecast to project likely sales and expenditures (including cash transactions) so you know how much you’re likely to have in your bank account.

Other aspects of managing your cash flow efficiently include sending out invoices on time, taking deposit payments in advance, paying bills on time, and promptly following up with customers who fall behind on payments.

Believe In Yourself and Prepare for the (Inevitable) Bad Times

When you’re up against unexpected personal trials that breed stress, your mind becomes muddled. Your self-esteem could take a tumble, affecting the way you see yourself.

“Doubting your abilities will impact your business unfavorably. For that reason, make use of personal problems. See them as lessons to learn from.” That’s the advice from David Christensen, a legal advisor who has counseled individuals facing debt-related challenges.

Safeguard yourself by developing resilience. Understand that life comes with problems. Assess the situation objectively. Speak with a trusted friend or family member instead of ignoring the problem. Don’t be hard on yourself, and keep believing you can overcome the obstacles you are facing. Surround yourself with the right support network of people. Don’t give up.

Perseverance, Determination, and a Positive Mindset Reign Supreme

Running a business isn’t easy. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re lying. According to The Small Business Administration, roughly half of businesses fail within the first five years. However, you can survive in the business world. Embrace the warrior mindset and refuse to become a number in the statistics of business failures.

Steve Jobs persevered when Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy. What would have happened to Apple if Steve had given in to defeat?

Use success stories of people who failed their way to success to inspire and motivate you. Stephen King, one of the most popular authors, had countless rejections. The nails he used to pin the rejection letters to his wall bent under their weight. Similarly, Thomas Edison failed countless times before he was able to perfect the electric light bulb.

There are many more entrepreneurs and business owners you can add to this list. They all exhibited unwavering perseverance and determination.

Keep Your Customers at the Heart of Your Business 

According to Gartner statistics, 80% of a company’s revenue comes from 20% of its customers. Loyal customers are the success stories of your business. Involve them in your business strategies, marketing campaign planning, and new product development. Share their case studies, consider their points of view, absorb their feedback (both good and bad), and make them feel important.

Starbucks, the biggest coffee shop chain in the world, knows how important it is to take the customer experience seriously. When hiring, potential staff members are vetted for their good attitudes, interest in the customer, and enthusiasm to meet their needs. The company is not afraid to invest time and money creating the best customer service experience it can deliver.

Embrace Failures as Short-Term Setbacks

Bill Bartman, named one of the wealthiest people in the world by Forbes in 1997, once lost $3 billion. But he didn’t wallow in self-pity.

Most of us were taught that failure is bad. Therefore, when we fail, we are tempted to throw in the towel and give up. But successful people use failure as stepping stones to climb out of their troubles. Understanding their struggles will boost your motivation when you are faced with failure.

Reflect on what went wrong and find solutions to the problem that caused the failure. Learn from your mistakes and do things differently next time. Draw inspiration from people who failed many times but eventually achieved their dreams.

Set Smart Goals and Develop Achievable Strategies to Attain Them

Write down your goals. This will give you clarity and make it easier to work towards achieving them. Use the SMART goal-setting method to keep yourself focused:

• Specific: State what you want to accomplish.
• Measurable: What results do you want to see? Break them down into easy steps.
• Achievable: Are your goals realistic? Make sure you have the time and resources to make them a reality.
• Relevant: Your objectives should line up with what you’re trying to accomplish for your business.
• Timely: Set a deadline and stick to it.

Next, develop a plan to put your SMART goals into action. Answer these questions to get ahead:

• What are the steps you will need to take?
• What are the time frames for each of those steps?
• Who will help you?

Invest in an Advisor or Mentor and Draw From Their Expertise

Find a business mentor or advisor to guide you. Draw from their pool of knowledge and personal experiences to help your business grow. According to a survey carried out by Sage, 93% of medium-sized businesses credited their mentors for helping them succeed.

It’s tough running a business alone. Entrepreneurs need encouragement, guidance, and reassurance when faced with problems. Mentors have been in similar situations, and they know how to help you. They’ll share valuable advice, give you constructive feedback, and connect you with the right people.

Take Sensible Risks and Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Taking a sensible business risk is not gambling blindly without considering the consequences. Think carefully, weigh the options, and test them out.

For example, let’s say you want to try a new marketing strategy that costs 20% more than your usual campaign. Test it out first, by doing a sample run with a smaller investment. If it’s successful, pour more money into this new strategy.

Don’t take risks when your emotions are running high. Be objective, and discuss your plans with colleagues, friends, or family. At the end of the day, you’ll have to take sensible risks and step out of your comfort zone with your business. But before you do, make the most of your wisdom, knowledge, and experience.

The Bottom Line

Having a failing business doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. You will encounter obstacles along the way, but you will also find ways to overcome those obstacles. Someone somewhere has gone through the same trials you face. Learn from their stories and use your own story as a lesson for improvement and business success.