By Pastor Blessed Mugabiri
In other countries starting a business its a choice but in our mother land it is different. In Zimbabwe it is an obligation. There are no jobs to survive on in our country. For you family to be able to live a better life in Zimbabwe you must be working from platinum mines, artisanal miner, corrupt traffic cop, politician or an entrepreneur.
It is possible for one to start a business from scratch and become successful. But not every small business is positioned for success. In fact, only about two-thirds of businesses with employees survive at least two years, and about half survive five years. So you may be in for a real challenge when you decide to take the plunge, ditch your day job, and become a business owner. The stage is often set in the beginning, so making sure you follow all of the necessary steps when starting your business can set the foundation for success.
You must do a research before you invest into an business. Many people are involved in the things they do not know. Must know the advantages and the disadvantages of the business idea. When you hear people saying I only sell guavas and peaches and I have manage to build this house and sent all my children to university be careful to analyse their businesses. Some people are displaying tomatoes whilst they are selling drugs.
In order for a small business to be successful, it must solve a problem, fulfill a need or offer something the market wants. This attract almost everyone to your business. It reduces competition. Following other people’s ideas makes your business an ordinary one. Find something that is unique and that can only be provided by you.
For one to have a successful business must be able to plan. You need a plan in order to make your business idea a reality. A business plan is a blueprint that will guide your business from the start-up phase through establishment and eventually business growth, and it is a must-have for all new businesses.
Every business has risk but you have to take the bull by the horns. Put money in that business. If we do not risk we will not invest and we are going to die poor. Take that money you were suppose to use for food, for the car, for the house etc and invest it. To those who read the bible you saw from 1 King 17:7-16 a Zarephath widow investing the last flour and oil she had.
It is only the brave who can sacrifice what they have for the better harvest that they don’t see. All farmers who put seeds under the soil without being sure of how much rain is going to fall that year are doing it by faith. Why are you are afraid of the unknown.
You must be hard worker. Once your business is up and running, you need to start attracting clients and customers. You’ll want to start with the basics by writing a unique selling proposition (USP) and creating a marketing plan. Then, explore as many small business marketing ideas as possible so you can decide how to promote your business most effectively.
Connection in Zimbabwe pays more than any marketing strategy. Most of the people that you are seeing that not doing well are connected. You must be connected with suppliers and clients.
Once you have completed these business start-up activities, you will have all of the most important bases covered. Keep in mind that success doesn’t happen overnight. But use the plan you’ve created to consistently work on your business, and you will increase your chances of success.
Problems are going to come but they are not suppose to be solved by the business money. All those who are involved in the business are workers and must be on pay roll. No one even the owner of the business is allowed to withdraw money for personal use from the business.
Now I think you are going to start something. You cant be a mother or father who beat a child because he or she wants a chocolate or ice cream. My friends we must work and pray. They are men and women who only want to pray and realise miracles. They are no miracles in business. “Lets work for our children and for the fourth generation,” Proverbs 13:22