If you’re starting a new business, then you’ve every reason to be apprehensive. The majority of new ventures end up lasting just a few years before being forced into closure by the brutal world of modern business.
On the other hand, if you’re actually seeking out advice, then you’re starting the process that will begin to shift things in your favour. Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the tips that will help you to get off to the best possible start.
Take your reputation seriously
As a tradesperson, your success will be built on your reputation. If you have a great reputation, then the phone will keep ringing, and you’ll be able to pick and choose which jobs you take. If you have a poor reputation, then you’ll start a downward spiral that may ultimately doom your business.
The best way to foster a good reputation is to be relentlessly committed to quality work. Build your skills, and look for ways that you can do things better. Of course, it’s not just the work itself that will distinguish you, but the service you provide to your customers.
Therefore, invest some time and energy in building your soft skills, as well as your trade-specific ones.
Why does the supply chain matter?
If you don’t have the required materials when you’re due to do a given job, then a delay will inevitably occur. You’ll have to either push the project back, spend time finding alternative suppliers, or make do with inferior materials and tools.
All of this, needless to say, will impact your reputation. It’s therefore critical that you proactively maintain good relations with suppliers that you can actually rely on.
What about safety?
If you’re setting out as a sole trader, then you’ll be entirely reliant on your own ability to perform a job. If you’re taken out of action by an injury, then you’ll not only suffer physically and mentally – you’ll also suffer financially. Investing in the right clothing, and taking health and safety seriously, will drive down your risk.
What about recruitment?
As your business enjoys more and more success, you’ll find that the volume of work will expand. At a certain point, you won’t be able to do the work yourself – you’ll need to outsource and recruit.
The quality of service provided by your contractors must be up to the same standard as the service you would provide yourself. It’s your responsibility to vet your would-be recruits, since your reputation might well hinge on it. If you’ve already built up a strong network of contacts, then you might already have a few names in mind.
There will come a point in your career as a tradesperson when someone lets you down. When this happens, you might decide to give the person a second chance. Don’t make the mistake of giving them a third.