Life giving resources. Faithfully delivered.
FREE delivery on orders over £10
Serving over 2 million Christians in the UK
with Bibles, Books and Church Supplies
Our Buy-Now-Pay-Later accounts used
by over 4,000 UK Churches & Schools
Angela De Souza
Angela De Souza from women's group The King's Daughters writes on five steps that will help establish your business.
1) ESTABLISHMENT
Your business is being created. Everything seems fun and new at this stage but in most cases money is tight. This is a time to be creative in getting known and a time to find your feet in what you do. Usually this stage is when the owner does everything all the time. Sadly, many businesses close when the start up money runs out, so the key is to keep overheads and expenses to a minimum. Spending money on sales campaigns and business listings is unwise as they seldom produce the desired results.
Establishment Problems:
Cash flow, marketing and gaining new clients.
Establishment Tips:
2) ENDURANCE
Your business is trying to survive. Few businesses make it past this stage but those that do realise that this is the time to have specific direction, possibly finding a niche. At this stage you need to work smarter not harder. You only have twenty four hours in your day like everyone else so see how you can maximise your time through time management and by developing systems. It is essential at this stage to start working on the business and not in it or else you will never leave the endurance stage.
Endurance Problems:
Tiredness, overworking and being discouraged.
Endurance Tips:
3) EXPANSION
Your business is growing. This is when you are able to take on staff members and offload some of the workload that you are not particularly suited to. It is essential to choose staff carefully and not rush into it. Having the right people on board will be hugely beneficially to your company.
It is worth investing some of your time in learning about people or hiring someone who specialises in people before appointing your staff. The right people come motivated and are passionate about the business. As Jim Collins in his book Good to Great says, “Great vision without great people is irrelevant.” A great team will not only help you get the work done but they will also help you figure out how to get the work done. Synergy is essential. This stage is critical as it could cripple the business if handled poorly.
Expansion Problems:
People, people and people.
Expansion Tips:
4) EXISTENCE
Your business is succeeding and to get to the next level you need to ensure that you are managing your business with precision and excellence. Your staff are settled and your client base is consistent. The big question at this stage is whether or not to expand or to keep the business running in this comfortable and profitable place. Franchising your business could be a possibility as well as acquiring smaller businesses in the same field so as to buy out the competition. The possibilities are endless and so are the risks.
This may also be a stage where you need to confront the brutal facts. People, products or processes might be holding your business back. What changes do you need to make to get your business to the next level? Flip Flippen of the Flippen Group says, “No organization can rise above the constraints of its leadership. It is therefore imperative that leadership at all levels be constantly growing beyond their constraints.” Existence Problems: Poor leadership, strained systems and denial.
Existence Tips:
5) ESTABLISHED
Your business is recognized and accepted. You can finally put your feet up on your desk as your have achieved a successful business. The business is growing and it is mature. Although all businesses require constant effort, you most certainly have something to celebrate at this stage. Clear communication of the vision and a good relationship with your team are crucial at the stage. As the saying goes, it only takes one rotten apple to spoil the whole barrel.
To stay ahead you need to be innovative and not get too comfortable in your success. In the beginning of your journey your business was built on your skills and talents but now it’s time to use other people’s skills and talents to get your business to keep moving forward. Established Problems: Complacency, competition and lack of change. Established Tips:
Find out more about Being a Woman in Business here or use this material to host your own Girl's Night. We also have a monthly business networking event called Women in Business, find our more here.
Bible
With more than 20 English Language translations each available in 25 or more different editions the choice of Bibles excites and bewilders. Choosing the right Bible for you is important - even if you already have more than one.
Spiritual Growth
Long overshadowed by the celebrations of Easter Sunday, Lent is being rediscovered as a sacred time of reflection and renewal in its own right and a time of preparation for the joyous seasonal finale.
Featured
Here’s our pick of the top 3 Stocking Fillers this Christmas. You can find even more at our Christmas Store.
News
Heading to a screen near you soon, The Most Reluctant Convert is a feature-length movie about the life and faith of one of England’s greatest Christian writers and thinkers: C.S. Lewis.
Interview
Feby tells her compelling story in her book Walking Him Home. After wrestling with grief and suffering, she shares how God’s healing and faithfulness is enabling her to step into her new life and ministry.
Featured
We are currently in a strange situation. Bible sales are up, but the number of people reading the Bible is going down. Even stranger, this situation is nothing new. There has always been a difference between the number of people who own a Bible and the number of people who regularly read their Bibles.