start a business – Growing Forward

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Running a business isn’t easy, as you will probably understand if you have already decided to start a business.

With a to-do list as long as your arm, with responsibilities that won’t always lie within your skill set, you have probably experienced moments of doubt, frustration, and stress.

But while running a business isn’t easy, there are ways to make life easier for yourself. Consider the following for example, and concentrate on anything that you know makes sense for you.

#1: Surround Yourself With Experts

As we suggested, there will be some responsibilities on your to-do list that don’t correlate with your skillset. Should you struggle with these alone? No. While it is a good idea to work at them to better your abilities, it is also a good idea to pass them onto somebody else. Struggle with your taxes? Hire an accountant. Don’t know how to attract more customers to your website? Hire a web designer. Consider the same for any facet of business where you fall down and enjoy having more time for the things that you are good at.

#2: Find The Right Supplier

Whether you’re selling a product or providing a service, you will probably be reliant on a supplier. It might be somebody who provides office supplies if you are based at home or it could be a welding & industrial supply company if your focus is manufacturing. Or it could be somebody else besides but one thing remains true: You need somebody reliable to provide the goods you need. A good supplier will provide and source everything you need to keep your business running so it’s worth spending time finding the right one. They will also make sure you have what you need on time to reduce the risk of downtime in your business. Commit to research then and buddy up with the supply companies that can support your business needs.

#3: Automate what you can

Why spend an age on a task when you can get things done in double-quick time? With the right app or software program, you can automate those tasks that are complicated and time-consuming, and have more time for other aspects of your business. You can pretty much automate anything, from your accounts to your Google Ads marketing, so it’s worth researching the tools that are available to you. Here are just a few small business automation tools you might be interested in but continue your search online.

#4: Say ‘no’

Finally, this is something you need to get into the habit of doing if you are forever saying ‘yes’ to things. You might say ‘yes’ to every project that comes your way, and you might say ‘yes’ to every meeting you’re invited to, as examples. And while you will need to take on new projects and attend meetings, you need to remember that you are only human. If you take on too much, you will have less time on your hands to produce quality work, and you might even burn yourself out. Saying ‘no’ can sometimes be good for business so give yourself a break and whittle down your to-do list.

So, here’s the thing. Running a business isn’t easy. But by following the suggestions given here, it can be easier. Take note then, especially if you’re feeling the strain today.

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Graduating is a fantastic achievement but working out what you want to do next is the next biggest challenge and adjusting to life after university can be tough. There are many different routes you can take as you consider what to do after university – and everyone’s journey will be different, so have a look and see what might suit you:

Get A Graduate Job

Most new graduates come out of university and are looking for a job if this is the route you want to take then the first place to start is your university’s careers service, which can provide support and direction. You also need to put yourself out there to get noticed so work on building contacts with industry professionals which can be done through work experience, attending networking events and through Linkedin. If you are struggling to find the right job straight after graduation fill your time with internships, volunteering, part-time work or some work shadowing as this will look great on your CV and increase your chances of getting the right job you’re looking for.

Start Your Own Business

If you are having trouble finding your dream job, then do you think it’s something you could create for yourself? There are now many companies that support start-ups, hubs where people can meet to discuss ideas and programs to help you on your way and to turn your idea into a reality. If you can manage to get your business idea off the ground, then the benefits include making your own decisions, the control over who you work with and the type of work you do, freedom to work when you like on projects that you choose and the flexibility to fit work commitments in with the rest of your life.

Continue To Study

You could also look at returning to university to study at postgraduate level. However, you’ll need to make sure that you are taking this on for the right reasons. To make it worth the time and the money you do need a real desire to study a particular aspect of your undergraduate course in more depth. Whatever you do, don’t take on a Masters degree to buy yourself some time or to boost general employability. Courses are expensive and unnecessary for specific jobs, so this is why you need to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons and the right field. For example, undertaking medical office assistant training will qualify you for entry-level positions such as medical assistants, lab assistants, caregivers and will also mean you’re eligible to sit for the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) and the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) examinations.

Take A Gap Year

Before settling down into a work routine, you could take a gap year. Backpacking makes you a much more exciting job candidate and can make you more employable in the long run. Taking time out to travel demonstrates maturity, good organization and planning skills and self-sufficiency. Working while traveling is also a great way to boost your CV and develop a range of skills and can give you some time to weigh up your options and decide where your professional interests lie.