Some entrepreneurs start out hoping they’re on the way to becoming the next Richard Branson, dreaming of their future multibillion corporation and the private jet that will fly them one from one exotically-located meeting to the next. Others just want to escape the rat race with a small, family-friendly business that has enough customers to see it ticking over year by year and forming a comfortable retirement nest egg.
But whether it was part of your original plan or not, recognising that your startup needs to expand is crucial.
Because if you’ve been struggling to manage a mounting customer base, pulling endless late nights to catch up with admin or, even worse, turning away business, then the decision has already been taken out of your hands.
For the sake of your startup – and your sanity – it’s time to let growth happen.
With this in mind, we’re sharing three practical steps to help you develop your business at a slow and steady pace. Take a look.
#1: put the necessary staff in place
You’re used to running around playing every role – receptionist, administration assistant, customer service advisor, manager and general dogsbody – that’s needed to keep a business going day in and day out.
But as work kicks up a gear you’ll soon find it impossible to shoulder every responsibility alone.
Instead, expand your team of employees to make sure all jobs are expertly covered. Take your time hiring – getting the right mix of people is crucial – and provide plenty of training so you can rest easy knowing your business is in safe hands.
#2: get your premises ready
Before you welcome new employees, a good spring clean is in order, as is investing in the appropriate equipment – from desks and chairs to computers – to help them do their jobs.
You’ll also need plenty of extra storage space as the business grows and your supplies increase. If a quick tidy doesn’t clear enough room, then installing a warehouse mezzanine floor should do the trick.
To keep disruption to a minimum, schedule any building work or office reshuffles for a week or month when you’re normally a bit quieter.
#3: look to HR software solutions for help
With more employees and customers to take care of, it’s essential you have the right infrastructure to handle the busy period of growth efficiently.
Turning to HR software solutions for payroll and scheduling will release some of the pressure involved and guarantee you stay on the right side of the law when it comes to looking after your staff.
But remember, the more cloud-based operations become the more important cyber-security is. Protect your business by installing malware protection software.
Follow these three steps and, even if running a large business was never part of your entrepreneurial vision, you’ll soon be feeling the financial benefits of slow and steady expansion.