Top Tips 

1. Define clearly your business goals and action points. Know your direction.

2. Be willing to commit to the development and achievement of your desired outcome.

3. Conduct a competitive analysis within your market: be aware of the outside influences that affect your business beyond just the competition.

4. Treat your customers fairly. Examine what they really want and how you can deliver what is important to them.

5. Allow at least two hours every week for thinking and planning. This time is invaluable.

6. Focus at least 3-5 years forward. All too often business get caught in the here and now. They get busy with the business of being busy. Have a clear end goal in mind for your business and ensure that the destiny is understood by the whole team.

7. True Leadership: take care of your people and they will take care of you, and your business.

8. Create a Plan. A good business plan is pivotal to obtaining finance, structure and strategy, and will also help you to focus on what is important to you.

9. Recruit the Right Staff. Identify the areas of the business where you'll need help and expertise. Enhance your offering to potential candidates by drawing attention to the breadth of experience an employee will gain working with you, as well as opportunities to grow with the company.

10. Get a Website. The web is still growing at a rapid rate, but many small companies still do not have a web presence. Having an internet presence is a vital part of the communications platform for your business.