If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve likely heard all of the basics how to discover your goods or services, get into financing, make a business plan, build a team, and find a physical location or a website. You know, the things you need to do actually to create your startup. But this basic roadmap for business doesn’t cover everything, and some entrepreneurs are unfamiliar with the additional asks of a new business owner. If you’re lucky, your starting team is well-rounded enough that you have people who can help you discover and implement various strategies to get your business up and running. In this article, we’ll discuss a few tips and tricks to smooth business operations, build a clientele, and get your Startup up and running.
Build Your Brand
Sure, you have your business name. And you know what it is that you do. But that’s not a brand identity. Creating a brand identity is crafting your business into something unique and recognizable. Let’s take a look at some popular brand identities to help you see how this affects your marketing.
When you see an advertisement from Target, you know who it’s from before the camera ever pans to the building. But why? They’ve made an identity. Everyone associates the major red-and-white scheme with Target (and, for a while, everyone recognized their dog!) A bullseye is practically synonymous with Target when you’re discussing retail locations. Likewise, everyone recognizes Wendy and the Colonel, not to mention those famous golden arches.
A brand identity is how you set yourself apart. It’s investing in a well-designed logo and choosing a major and minor color scheme. It’s selecting what tone you use in written advertisements and internal memos and what fonts. People should be able to know who you are and recognize when your company puts out a new product or service. And a consistent image comes across as more professional than chroma chaos (unless your service is on the creative side or works with kids. Industry matters!).
Invest in an ERP
ERP stands for “Enterprise Resource Planning.” An ERP is basically computer-based software that helps you simplify business operations like tracking financials and project management. Perhaps the most popular ERP service is cloud-based NetSuite. Oracle runs NetSuite and works on a subscription system. You pay a flat rate every month, and they hand over all of the infrastructure of the programs and tailor the dashboard to meet your company’s needs, even scaling alongside your business. The more you need from them, the more they can do for you. It keeps your data up-to-date, easy to manage, and easy to access.
NetSuite can handle just about every management aspect of your company and even let you automate certain data processes, minimizing the risk of errors and freeing up your team to focus on other business tasks. Nothing says growth like efficiency and smooth operation!
On top of the available functionality, NetSuite also collaborates with authorized Oracle Platinum Partners like GSI. These companies offer solution consultations, platform customizations, and platform management services to help you get the most from NetSuite without burdening anyone on your team.
Implement A Marketing Strategy
You likely touched on marketing plans in your business plan, but now it’s time to focus in. You have to get the word out about your company and what it can do for your future clients. This
means setting up your website and social media pages— and being active on them. You also want to plan accompanying media, like images and videos. If you have a graphic designer on your team, they’ll handle any images and ensure branding compliance. If you don’t, you can always outsource to someone through a service like Thumbtack or Fiverr. You can also use convenient tools like Canva to create quick, professional-looking graphics.
It’s important to realize that pages like Canva don’t make up for having a designer. They give you the tools and tips but not the experience or education. It’s a good idea to hire a designer or a communications manager with experience in design to ensure your business makes a good impression to generate leads.
Help Your Dream Come to Life
You’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into this startup; it only makes sense that you want to give yourself the best chance at success. It’s time to rally your team behind you and get things started. You may have to wear more hats than you find comfortable to start, but as your business grows, so, too, can your team. Before you know it, you’ll have a thriving business and a firm foundation on which to continue building.
Conclusion
John Davis is a passionate content writer with a knack for crafting engaging narratives across various subjects. With a keen eye for detail and a love for storytelling, John brings ideas to life through the power of words. His dedication to delivering high-quality and informative content has made him a trusted voice in the digital realm. When he’s not at his desk, you’ll find John exploring new hobbies and seeking inspiration in the world around him.
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