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Old Fashioned Business Advice Startups Shouldn't Ignore

Eileen O'Shanassy

February 02, 2017

When you run a start-up, it's easy to get focused on the cutting edge of the industry. You need to stay relevant and current, but that’s easier said than done. There is, however, something to be said for advice that has stood the test of time. As you get your business up and moving, make sure to look to the past so you can follow the advice given below. 

Focus on Today

It's very easy for a new start-up to spend time shooting for the moon while they avoid what's going on back at home. While it's always a good idea to keep an eye on the future, make sure to put your primary focus on the here and now. You need to take care of today's problems immediately, or they'll become tomorrow's disasters. Don't get too far ahead of yourself and remember that a business really does operate one day at a time. Long-term planning is good, but success or failure really happens in the short-term.

Your Employees Are Your Best Asset

Start-ups tend to have a startling tendency to use up employees and throw them away. Remember that, especially in your early days, employees are absolutely the most valuable asset you have. They have a better idea of what's going on in the front of the house than any manager and most them deal with vital issues that you'll never notice. Appreciate your employees and they'll stick by you through thick and thin. Treat them poorly and they'll jump at the first opportunity. Your employees need to feel valuable precisely because they have value. 

Sell Smart

Make sure you have a plan for doing your first sales. You can advertise online and even in print. If you are based locally, use old-fashioned fliers. The best way to get the word out are usually the old-fashioned methods. If you are starting from scratch and doing cold calls to connect with a network, be sure to use a call center consultant. These professionals will be able to use call center consulting and base a script specifically off your product.

Put the Customer First

Finally, remember that you need to put your customer first. Making the experience of working with or buying from you a pleasant experience needs to be a priority. Customers are more than just numbers in a ledger, they're the people who keep your business afloat. If something about your vision is turning customers away, you should remember they are inevitably right and you are the one who needs to change. It's good to babysit your vision with care, but do try to remember that customers are the ones that will keep your business afloat even when your plans don't come to fruition. 

This old-fashioned advice above can be applied to any industry. If you focus on the now while treating your customers and employees with respect, you have a better chance of avoiding the mistakes that can bring your company down. There is a reason, after all, that this old-fashioned advice has stuck around so long. 

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