You’ve got Skills, it’s electrifying

You’ve got Business Skills, Even if You’ve Never Run Your Own Business Before

Starting a business can be exhilarating, daunting and downright scary, especially if you’ve never run a business on your own before. However, the skills and experiences accumulated throughout your career and life are more valuable than you might realise. You can make your business successful by using these skills, particularly those you gained working with customers, and embracing a continuous improvement mindset. Here’s how to recognise and build on relevant experience to build your new business..

1. You’ve always worked with people; they are just like customers!

In your previous roles, you’ve almost certainly worked with people, like customers of your employer, and through that, you developed strong customer service skills. These are just what you need in business. Speaking to customers, understanding their needs, and resolving their issues are fundamental to building a loyal customer base.

Action Points:

Listen Actively: Make it a habit to listen to your customers attentively. Understand their needs and concerns thoroughly before responding.

Empathy is Key: Show genuine empathy. Make customers feel valued and understood.

Clear Communication: Ensure your communication is concise and tailored to your audience’s needs.

2. Think Like a Customer

One of the most powerful ways to leverage your experience is to put yourself in your customer’s shoes. Think about what you valued as a customer, how you were made aware of a business, why and how you made your purchase decision, where you bought it, how it was packaged or delivered, what happened after you purchased it, and how other businesses followed up with you.

Action Points:

Customer Journey Mapping: Create a customer journey map to visualise the experience from the customer’s perspective.

Feedback Loops: Implement regular feedback mechanisms to gather insights directly from your customers. This can be through surveys, feedback forms, or direct conversations.

Continuous Improvement: Use the feedback to continually refine and improve your products and services.

3. Accept Imperfection and Focus on Progress

Starting a business is a learning process. Not everything will be perfect, and that’s okay. What’s important is to maintain a ‘growth mindset’—an attitude of learning from mistakes and continually working to improve.

Action Points:

Set Realistic Goals: Break down your business goals into manageable tasks and celebrate small victories. If you’re up and running, set annual goals or intentions and review them each quarter and month.

Learn from Failures: View failures as opportunities to learn and grow. Analyse what went wrong and how you can improve.

Seek Mentorship: Connect with experienced entrepreneurs (formally or informally) who can offer guidance and support as you navigate challenges. If this is what they do for a living, pay them or find a group program to be part of.

4. Selling Might Be New, and That’s Okay

If selling is a new experience, it's natural to feel apprehensive. However, selling is an extension of your people skills. It's about understanding your customer's needs and presenting your product or service as the solution.

Action Points:

Understand Your Product: Ensure you understand what you are selling and why the customer is buying, including its benefits and how it meets your customers’ needs.

Practice Your Pitch: Develop and practice a clear and compelling sales pitch. Role-playing with friends or mentors can be great. Ask for feedback on whether you are understood and how you can improve.

Build Relationships: Focus on building relationships rather than just closing a sale. Long-term customer relationships often lead to repeat business and referrals.

Be Resilient: Rejection is part of the sales process. Learn from each experience and refine your approach.

5. Use Local Resources and Networks

In Hammersmith & Fulham, many resources and networks are available to support new business owners. From business training and workshops to libraries, networking events, and funding opportunities, these resources can provide valuable support. If you’re nervous tell the organiser or take a friend for the first couple of meetings.

Action Points:

Attend Workshops: To enhance your skills, participate in business training and workshops offered by local organisations. The council provides a series of workshops.

Utilise Libraries: Make use of local libraries for business research and resources.

Network Actively: Join local networking groups and attend events to build connections and gain insights from other entrepreneurs. We are lucky to have a number in the Borough: West London Business, West London Chambers, Network. London

Explore Funding Options: Look into local grants, start-up loans, and crowdfunding platforms to secure the necessary funding for your business.

Starting a business or entering Self-employment is a big step. Still, you can navigate this journey successfully by using your past experiences, especially those involving customers, and embracing a continuous improvement mindset. Remember, progress is more important than perfection. Each step forward is a step toward your business’s success.

 Keep learning, stay adaptable, and, most importantly, believe in your ability to succeed