How to Start your Business in 7 days

Ok my apologies for been off your radar for a while. I have been extremely busy! So how has it been?
Have you met your goals for the year as we finish the first half  and prepare for the new half? Have you gotten a new Job? Have you started a new Business?

Yes have you started that new business?

Today I just finished a session with bright minds and some young IT entrepreneurs at Eko Hotels and Suites and retiring to my room I still can\’t seem to find respite until I have shared some thoughts on how to finish this year on a high note even if you started wrongly or a little slowly.
As the head of one of Africa\’s Brightest Business Planning Outfit at www.Penexusconsulting.com I get a lot of demand on my time with entrepreneurs and entrepreneur wanabies asking for tips on how to start their Business as a part-time or full time skilled professional. So I drew up a 7 day approach to doing that.

Day 1

GET A BUSINESS PLAN

The discipline of writing something down is the first step towards making it happen”

-LEE IACOCCA
Writing an investor-grade Business plan can be challenging and time consuming even for those of us who do it on a regular basis. If you are a typical entrepreneur, you are already too busy focusing on other priorities such as building your customer base, perfecting your product or recruiting key management. Why not get someone to do it for you?

DAY 2

STUDY THE MARKET
Market research is vital to a startup looking to hit the ground running, according to Yancey. You want to create a snapshot of the competitive landscape you\’re entering: how your products or services compare to what\’s available, who your target customers are and what government regulations and licensing requirements to expect

DAY 3

BUILD YOUR BRAND
A brand identity, including a name and a professional-looking logo, can bring instant legitimacy, even before launch. Spend a few Naira on Business Cards, Letterheads, Posters and a \”Professional\” looking webpage. Professional because having a poorly designed website Just because it is cheap will send the wrongest perception about your Business. And you know what they say about perception being reality?

DAY 4

INCORPORATE YOUR BUSINESS
The nature of the startup dictates the extent to which it should rely on an attorney to incorporate, trademark ideas/products, formalize partnership agreements, etc. It\’s best to let an attorney tackle any complex legal matters. We could refer you to a few

DAY 5

START SELLING

Bringing in profits means making sales. Put your ear to the ground for events and opportunities that could catapult your Brand name and increase sales

DAY 6

FAKE IT TO MAKE IT
Success is often a self-fulfilling prophecy. However modest your beginnings, however short your track record, think big and act like you belong.

You\’ll never will increase beyond the level you see yourself.

DAY 7

GIVE, GIVE, GIVE
On Rearely explored areas of Business Progress by most people is Giving back. It seems however that no one can reach any known heights until they inculcate that giving habit. Truth is we live in a very mysteriou It may be the cog in the wheel of your sales progress. The richest men in Todays world are not those who focus on selling but those who give the most. Even Nigeria\’s Dangote did not become the 20th richest man till he started giving to entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

So for starters sponsor an event, see such as an opportunity not a burden and watch the pace at which your Business will grow

To your Success

Seunajibade
Follow me on twitter: @seunajibade
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