Future Proof Your Business

Future Proof Your Business

Are you running your own business? If so, then you will always have goals that you want to reach and a way to measure your success. One way to determine how successful your business has been to think about a key point. You need to consider whether your company is built to last and essentially whether it has a future. There are numerous ways to ensure that this is the case if you future proof your business so let’s explore the options. 

Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst

Obviously, you are going to be hoping for the best with your business. You want to believe it’s going to be a success with lots of interest from customers. You also want to believe that you’re not going to run into any issues that could bring it crashing down. This isn’t realistic because problems do occur in every business model. However, if you are aware of issues like cybercrime, you can prepare for them. For instance, if you are running a store, then shop insurance could give you the financial support you need if you are targeted by a hack. It’s important not to assume that big businesses are the only ones that run into issues like this. Small companies can be hit too.  

When writing this we, including the business community, are on lockdown due to Covid-19. I am incredibly glad and grateful that I took time in the past the future proof to an extent my business. It means that I am continuing to trade during this difficult period. Always expect and plan for the unexpected.

Future Proof Your Business: Put A Plan In Place

When you put your first foot onto the market, you should already have a plan in place. Experts recommend that a business should typically start with a five-year action plan. This should cover everything from the products and services that you are going to offer to how you are planning on expanding and the customers that you will be targeting. It should all be written down and if you have a plan like this which is presentable you’ll find it easier to attract investors too. 

Future Proof Your Business: Engage 

One of the easiest ways for a business to lose longevity is if it starts to stagnate. If you are bringing nothing new to the table, then your customers and clients are going to become bored with your business. They are going to start to wonder whether they should turn their attention to your competition. You don’t want this. You want to work to ensure that your company continues to be favoured. The best way to do that is to find out what your customers want and then deliver it to them. The easiest way to ensure that happens is to engage with your customers. No one knows what they want from your business more than they do. 

This also ties into the last thing that you need to do to ensure that your company has a future. You must keep moving forward. You need to continuously bring new ideas to the table that will resonate with your customers. You can’t expect them to continue supporting your business if your offerings are old or outdated.

I hope this helps you understand some of the best ways to future proof your company and ensure that it is on the market for years to come. 

 

What are your top tips when it comes to future proof your business time?

 

Show Your Staff A Little Bit Of Love

Show Your Staff A Little Bit Of Love

It’s important to realise that without your staff your business would not be where it is today, as they contribute massively to your progression and success. It’s extremely hard to run a business on your own without any support, but it can be equally difficult to meet your goals with an unmotivated workforce too. Make sure that you show your staff a little bit of love and tell them that they are appreciated.

Show Your Staff A Little Bit Of Love: Make Them Comfortable 

One of the most important things you can do to show your staff a little bit of love is to make them as comfortable as you can. Heading to an uninspiring and highly regulated workplace will not be something a person can readily look forward to. Make some changes to their environment to make it as welcoming as you can.

If you run an office, invest in some ergonomic furniture that can reduce aches and pains, and think about creating a nutrition station with fresh water and fruit to help keep your staff healthy and show them you care about their wellbeing. If you own any kind of construction or production business, you must prioritise safety and invest in the right personal protective equipment as well as implementing house rules that can help to keep your staff out of harm’s way.

In every industry there can be employees who have other needs like those who smoke – it’s essential that you get clued up on rules regarding smoking and vaping in the workplace to ensure you can abide by guidelines whilst still keeping staff happy and safe. 

Show Your Staff A Little Bit Of Love: Offer Rewards 

A great way to show your staff a little bit of love is to offer some great rewards for hard work. Any employees who show particular promise or surpass any goals set should receive some kind of bonus for their efforts. This will motivate both the receiver of the gift as well as those around them. Make sure that you choose which employees to reward wisely, and don’t just hand out bonuses to anyone who shows an interest. A reward could be anything from an increase in pay, extra holiday, or even a special treat such as a spa day or other experience trip. By making these bonuses as attractive as possible, you will no doubt inspire your employees to work a little harder to meet your goals, and it can also show your willingness to properly acknowledge their efforts. 

Knowing how to show your staff a little bit of love has never been so simple. Above all be fair, kind, forward-thinking and don’t be shy when it comes to giving good feedback where it is due.