What are the biggest mistakes new business owners make?
Not doing market research. Just because you have a great idea doesn’t mean you have a business. The Hollywood belief that “If you build it, they will come” does not apply here. Taking a business idea to an informal focus group of friends and colleagues is a good start. Thinking that business plans are only for the big guys. It’s a sad fact that many new business owners don’t see this obvious relationship between planning and success. They think they can “wing it” and make their plans as they go along. Some feel that a business plan would limit their creativity or spontaneity, or that their business isn’t large enough or complex enough to warrant a plan. Every business can benefit from a business plan, no matter what size it is. The process of making a plan organizes your thinking and helps you sort out your priorities. Thinking you can do it all by yourself. Working solo is not working alone. Success depends on developing and using a network of colleagues, friends, mentors and professi
