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11 Crucial Tactics For Starting A Business

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Having a successful business is what most young people dream about. Independency, freedom of choice, and financial well-being are just a few things a successful startup can give you.

Many startups fail not because their ideas are not good enough, but because they have the wrong approach towards the whole thing. It is impossible to say how to start up with your idea and become successful right away. However, there are some practical tips that will help for sure.

Here are the 11 crucial tactics for starting a business

1. Don’t be afraid to fail

Starting up your own business, you should be ready to fail. Small failures can give you priceless experience. In your failures, you can find a success recipe for your next undertaking.

Here are a couple of bright examples; simply think about them. PayPal was the fifth business try of Max Levchin. Angry Birds is the fifty second try and the first big success of Rovio Company. Impressive, isn’t it?

You cannot learn to ride a bike only reading about it. You need to pedal, to fall a couple of times, to feel how it works and only then you can confidently ride it. And when you ride along a bad road in terrible weather, you can then overcome any obstacles in the future. Startups are also like that. You fail and learn your lessons the hard way only to get up and to achieve success.

 “Failure isn’t fatal, but failure to change might be” – John Wooden

2. Make sure you and your investors are on the same page

Money is an important part of a start up campaign, but be careful with it and pick the right source. As your investors will be shareholders in your company, you will practically be “married” to them. That is why it is better if you like your investors. Check if you share similar ideas and attitude towards your startup. If you have any doubts, better look for someone else.

 

3. Don’t try to make it alone

Most of the startups created by one person fail. You need to have a strong team of co-founders. Don’t start a project if you don’t have a good designer, marketing specialist, developer and techies. Try not to see these people as your employees, treat them as your co-founders and partners and they will be more driven to make the project successful.

 

4. Don’t worry if you cannot afford an office

Not every startup gets big investments the moment they think of a business idea. You have to create a plan and develop your idea into something bigger first. At this point, all you may have is this idea, some like-minded people and some money to implement this idea.

Don’t worry if you cannot allow a big fancy office for your startup. Numerous successful businesses started their lives in the houses or garages of their creators. Among them are Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Disney, Google, Nike and many other business giants.

 

5. Always get yourself and your partners motivated

Motivation is what makes people create great things. Find something that makes you motivated and constantly think about it. It can be anything starting from a deep desire to see your product helping people and finishing with a simple wish to become rich.

And never forget to motivate your team. If you cannot motivate them financially yet, use other tactics. Always remind them of your goals, arrange different creative brainstorming sessions and simply hang out together and talk about all the great things you will accomplish.

 

Teamwork
 

6. Don’t focus on the race

On a competitive market, it is easy to focus on the race with your competitors trying not to yield to them. Do your own thing and put the energy into the things that seem important to you. Maybe your ideas will change all the rules and your competitors will then have to play your way.

Of course you have to know what your competitors do, but instead of trying to be more like them, focus on your target audience and find out what it values the most. Then try to give it to people. If you don’t, someone else will.

 

7. Mistakes are your best teachers

As Mark Suster says in his article on entrepreneurship, the main quality of a successful startup “is the ability to spot your mistakes, correct quickly and not repeat the mistakes”. Of course, it is very cool if you’ve witnessed some other entrepreneurs’ mistakes and learnt their lesson, but usually it is your own mistakes that teach you best.

 

8. Freelancers and outsourcers are your good friends

Let’s say you have a great idea but you live far away from like-minded people. Or the programmers or designers who are ready to work with you are not bright enough to create a successful project. In these or other similar situations, you have a great option of finding talented people and doing some business magic with them distantly.

With all the technology we have now, you can easily make it work. Of course there can be some issues, but every team has problems whether they work in one building or in different parts of the world. Before hiring someone from far away, though, you need to get tips for working with freelancers. For example, you need to make sure you can rely on these people and you can contact them any time you need it.

 

9. Don’t let routine kill your enthusiasm

Many startups begin their project full of energy and enthusiasm. However, when they encounter routine tasks and some difficulties, many of them give up and abandon the whole thing. Starting your project, you need to be ready for routine and for problems. Don’t forget to focus on your goals and to keep following your ideas and your dreams.

 

10. Don’t procrastinate

Startups are all about the speed. If you don’t realize your ideas fast, someone else just might do it before you. Procrastinating is unacceptable in a startup. You need to constantly move forward and not get distracted by dull things that stop you from progressing.

“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone” – Pablo Picasso 

11. Deal with your personal issues

Your life and your work are inevitably connected. If there are too many personal problems in your life, it would be difficult to focus on your project and to give it 100% of your dedication. So, a successful start up demands you to deal with your troubles, to let go of all the things that hold you down and to feel happy about your life. Only then will you be able to create something truly great.

Hopefully this small business startup guide can help at least some of you to start working to make your ideas a reality. If you have a killer idea and you think all the basic things through, no one can stop you on your way to success.

Which one of these tips do you think is the most important and why? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

William Sarto is an experimenting content strategist at GoHunters - freelance writing board. His passion is helping people to reach success! William primary interests are startups, marketing and growth hacks. He enjoys trying new techniques and sharing his experience with people. Stay tuned on Twitter!

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Startups

15 Business Lessons From Napoleon’s Playbook

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Business Lessons and strategies from Napoleon Bonaparte for Entrepreneurs and CEO's
Image Credit | Joel Brown

Unleash your business potential by harnessing Napoleon’s strategic genius.

From dreaming big and thinking bold to moving fast and staying agile, these time-tested tactics are your blueprint for success.

Learn how creative leadership, detailed planning, and relentless execution can transform your business landscape. Boost morale, lead with clarity, and embrace hard work to conquer your industry.

Don’t just survive—thrive with the power of Napoleon’s lessons.

Here are 15 Powerful Lessons You Can Learn From Napoleon Bonaparte

 

1. Dream Big, Think Bold

Napoleon wasn’t just playing small; he believed that “Imagination rules the world.” In the business world, boldness and creativity are game-changers. Don’t just aim to fit in—push boundaries and set ambitious goals that make you stand out.

Think of Steve Jobs, who didn’t just want to make computers; he wanted to revolutionize entire industries. Your vision should be so grand it almost feels unreachable. When you dream big, you inspire those around you to believe in the impossible and work together to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

2. Move Fast, Stay Agile

Napoleon’s quick and secretive moves gave him an edge. In business, you gotta be nimble. Adapt quickly, move fast, and you’ll often find yourself ahead of the game, capturing opportunities your competitors miss.

Companies like Amazon and Tesla thrive because they constantly innovate and pivot when needed. Speed is your friend; it allows you to react to market changes and customer demands faster than the competition, ensuring you remain relevant and ahead of the curve.

3. Creative Leadership

Napoleon thrived on chaos and wasn’t afraid to switch things up. Unlike rigid leaders, he was flexible and adaptive. In business, embrace change and let chaos work for you. Being adaptable can turn unpredictable situations into opportunities.

Think of how Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to a streaming giant. Flexibility and creativity in leadership allow you to navigate through turmoil and emerge stronger, transforming challenges into stepping stones.

 

4. Organize Like a Pro

Napoleon’s mind was like a supercomputer, processing vast amounts of info to make smart moves. Businesses should do the same—stay organized, use real-time data, and adapt strategies based on fresh insights to keep that competitive edge.

Utilize modern tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and AI to manage information efficiently. Staying organized and informed means you can make better decisions, foresee potential issues, and react promptly.

 

5. Keep It Simple

Napoleon knew the power of simplicity. Overcomplicating things can bog you down. In business, streamline processes and focus on what truly matters to hit your goals efficiently.

Apple’s product design philosophy under Jobs was about simplicity and user-friendliness.When you remove unnecessary complexity, you reduce errors, speed up processes, and make it easier for your team to focus on what’s important, driving efficiency and effectiveness.

 

6. Execute Relentlessly

Once Napoleon decided on a course of action, he went all in. In business, once you pick a direction, pursue it with full commitment. Execution is where success is truly made.

Look at how Elon Musk commits to his vision for SpaceX and Tesla. Relentless execution means overcoming obstacles, staying focused on your goals, and not getting distracted by setbacks. It’s the determination and persistence in execution that ultimately leads to triumph.

 

7. Play to Your Strengths

Napoleon only fought battles he knew he could win. In business, focus on your strengths and avoid head-to-head fights in areas where you’re weak. Know your advantages and leverage them.

Microsoft leverages its strength in software development and cloud services rather than trying to compete directly in hardware. Understanding and maximizing your strengths ensures you play a game you can win, using your unique capabilities to outshine competitors.

 

8. Plan in Detail

Napoleon planned for every possible scenario. Businesses should do the same—conduct thorough planning and prepare for various outcomes.

Detailed planning helps you stay ready for anything. Scenario planning and SWOT analysis are tools that can help you foresee different futures and prepare accordingly. When you’re prepared for multiple scenarios, you can adapt smoothly and continue to drive forward, no matter what challenges arise.

 

9. Seize Opportunities

Napoleon saw luck as the ability to capitalize on accidents. In business, be prepared and ready to grab unexpected opportunities. Agility is key.

Companies like Uber and Airbnb seized gaps in the market by being ready to pounce on opportunities when they arose. Always be on the lookout for opportunities, and when they come, don’t hesitate. Preparation and readiness to act quickly can turn unexpected moments into major breakthroughs.

 

10. Learn from the Past

Napoleon studied the greats who came before him. Entrepreneurs should always be learning from the successes and failures of others. History is full of lessons waiting to be applied.

Warren Buffett is famous for studying businesses and market histories. By learning from the past, you can avoid repeating mistakes, understand what works, and build on proven strategies. Continuous learning from history helps refine your strategies and improve decision-making.

 

11. Boost Morale

Napoleon knew how to keep his troops motivated. Business leaders should do the same—keep your team inspired and engaged. High morale leads to high productivity.

Companies like Google and Salesforce invest heavily in employee well-being and motivation. When your team feels valued and motivated, they are more productive, innovative, and loyal. High morale fosters a positive work environment where people are excited to contribute and excel.

 

12. Lead with Clarity

Napoleon believed in the power of a strong, decisive leader. In business, clear direction and strong leadership are crucial. Ensure everyone knows the plan and follows it.

Leaders like Jeff Bezos provide a clear vision and direction, ensuring their teams know what they’re working towards. Clear, decisive leadership aligns your team, fosters trust, and drives coordinated efforts towards achieving your business goals.

 

13. Reflect on Failures

Napoleon analyzed both his wins and losses. Businesses should review their successes and failures to keep improving. Learn from mistakes to avoid repeating them.

Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates emphasizes the importance of learning from failure in his book Principles. By conducting post-mortems, you can understand what went wrong, make necessary adjustments, and continuously refine your strategies to avoid future pitfalls and drive success.

 

14. Action-Oriented

Napoleon was all about turning thoughts into actions. In business, decisiveness and execution are vital. Don’t just plan—act on those plans with energy and determination.

Entrepreneurs like Richard Branson embody this principle by constantly moving from ideas to actions. Action orientation ensures that you don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis but instead drive forward, making things happen and turning visions into reality.

 

15. Embrace Hard Work

Napoleon lived and breathed work, saying, “Work is my element; I am born and built for work.”

In business, a strong work ethic and relentless dedication are key to success. Think of how Howard Schultz rebuilt Starbucks through sheer hard work and determination. Embracing hard work means being willing to put in the necessary effort, staying dedicated to your mission, and continuously pushing towards your goals, no matter the challenges.

 

By implementing these lessons from Napoleon, businesses can sharpen their strategies, strengthen leadership, and execute with precision, driving sustained success.

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Startups

How to Manage Your Startup’s Finances More Efficiently

No matter how groundbreaking your product or service, your startup could quickly be on shaky ground without proper financial management

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managing your startups finances

Running a triumphant startup requires juggling numerous responsibilities. From managing operations and coordinating with team members to developing innovative marketing strategies and nurturing relationships with clients, the to-do list seems endless. (more…)

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Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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Startups

How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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How to pitch investors better

Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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