Things have been extremely tough for anyone starting a business since March 2020. With cases continuing to rise, it looks like COVID-19 will be with us for a while longer yet and there are more challenges besides the pandemic. If you are launching a new company, here are some tips to help you get off to the best start.
Make A Business Plan
Create a comprehensive business plan that details your USP, your expertise and your plan for the year ahead. Find out as much as you can about your competitors. Identify areas where they have not had as much success. Run scenarios for your first few months in operation given everything you know about the marketplace.
Get Good Advice
Talk to an accountant or financial advisor as early as possible. Be crystal clear on how much money you must work with. Identify potential problem areas with your accountant and set points at which you will sound the alarm. Talk to friends or acquaintances who have started their own business since the pandemic started to find out what kind of challenges they faced.
Know Your Legal Responsibilities
Talk to a lawyer before you start hiring employees to go over everything from contractual requirements to visas. Remember that this is a stage when you are vulnerable. Contact an immigration lawyer if you need to sponsor a new employee’s visa. Call a lawyer immediately if you sense that an issue could become a legal problem, from contractual disputes to data protection issues. Find out what the most common law issues for small businesses in your area are by talking to a local practice. Prepare for legal steps in Texas, for example, by talking to a Texas law firm like Farmer Law at https://farmerlawpc.com/.
Be Ready For Change
Keep up to date on the local Coronavirus guidelines in your area by reading the official guidelines and checking the news regularly. Offer your employees the option to continue working from home. Ask yourself if you need an office at all, or if it is an expense that you can cut. Look for ways that you can make the most of the flexibility that remote working offers, such as flexible hours and up-to-the-second updates.
Keep An Eye On Security
Invest in high quality security software for your company and consider bringing an IT specialist on board. Remember that cybercrime has spiked during the pandemic with ransomware attacks and scams. Educate your employees on the measures that they should be taking to protect their data and finances at home and at work. Provide them with dedicated work computers while working at home to cut down on risks.