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Local Business  » Opening a Business SUCCESSFULLY

Opening a Business SUCCESSFULLY

Opening a business can be frustrating and rewarding all at the

same time. Unfortunately many potentially successful

businesseses close their doors because they are not prepared for

handling all the issues that arise out of running a business. No

matter what your reason for opening your business, you must be

sure you are prepared to handle any crisis that may arise. In

this article, I will give you some general tips to think about

when opening a business.

Ø      Research, research, research. Before I opened my

business, I spent over a week finding whatever information that

I could on being a Virtual Assistant. Much to my husband's

happiness (or lack of), I printed every article I could find on

the business of Virtual Assistance.

Ø      Have a plan. You can have a formal business plan, or you

can have an outline of what you plan for your business. My

original business plan was written solely for my guidance

purposes and it was 7 pages printed. It was informal, and

referenced many of the articles I read. The plan helped guide me

and keep me on track. Remember to be flexible, and change your

plan when the need arises. No matter if you've been in business

for 3 months or 10 years, figure out where is the next step your

business is going, don't let it stagnate.

Ø      Establish policies and procedures. How are you going to

handle payment? Are you going to have a contract (I advise,

YES)? How will you handle communication with a client? How do

you plan to communicate project needs? What about payment, what

forms will you accept? I could go on and on with questions you

need to have answered BEFORE you open your doors to a client. I

literally lost a client because I had not answered these

questions, and rushed into business before thinking things

through. Ø      Organization. Organization can make or break

you. Are you able to find clients information or do you have to

dig? Where will you put finished projects and projects you are

working on? What will your filing system look like? Look at

where you are working, and decide, how can I make this work for

me?

Ø      Time management. This is crucial to be successful. Create

a schedule and stick to it. Get your family to respect your

schedule if you work out of your home.

Ø      Add new "niches". Spice up your business and expand it

for your clients by continuing to grow in the services you

offer. As a former teacher, I learned very quickly that the

degree was not the end of my learning. The profession changed

day by day and year by year, so I was in "training" almost as

much as my students were in class. The same is true for small

businesses. Software changes, as well as client needs change.

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Are you open to these changes? Continually educate yourself

through articles, classes, and talking with other professionals

in your business.

Ø     Most importantly, don't forget why you opened your own

business. Whether it was to stay at home with your children, be

your own boss, or do something you love, remember your reason

when you become frustrated and want to give up.

Opening a new business is rewarding, exciting, and sometimes

even fun. On the other hand, it can be frustrating, time

consuming, and exhausting. In the end, the rewards outweigh the

frustrations, so stick with your goals and dreams!

© 2005 JERPAT

You have permission to reprint this article electronically or in

print, as long as the text and byline remain unedited. A

courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

About the author:

Patty Benton is the owner of JERPAT Virtual Assistants and

JERPAT Web Design, www.moretime4u.org, which provides affordable

administrative and web design support to coaches, small

businesses, religious organizations, and realtors. 

Additionally, Patty is a coach for new entrepreneurs interested

in venturing into the virtual assistance industry.  She has

developed a program that is affordable for all.  Visit her

coaching site at www.virtualvacoach