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Telltale signs to look out for in a business venture

Telltale signs to look out for in a business venture
Cecilia Patterson
Cecilia PattersonMTC Consultancy/MTC Marketing Research Solutions

Posted: Mon 30th May 2022

There are a number of aspects that contribute to the success of your firm.

A vital instrument is the business operating model you've chosen. Depending on the sort of business, you would have established an agile business model that allows you to pivot with respect to its current path.

It is not always easy to determine whether a business idea is a good one, but there are indications that you are likely pursuing a bad idea and are on the wrong path or in the wrong atmosphere.

The latter cannot be helped, regardless of your actions. It is as if one is in the incorrect location at the incorrect moment, and everything goes awry. A sincere evaluation of both is essential.

Many of the world's most successful businesspeople have experienced multiple business failures.

While there are no assurances that your business plan will succeed, several indicators may suggest that you may end up with a sinking ship.

Here are some warning signs that have been compiled by specialists.

You do not enjoy your work

Being a successful entrepreneur requires a significant amount of time, particularly in the beginning when you must perform background tasks such as analysing the business idea, establishing goals, conducting market research, identifying potential customers and competitors, and developing products and your marketing plan.

Although all this type of work can be outsourced to companies like MTC Consultancy, it is important that you appreciate your business concept.

If you don't appreciate the business concept on some level, you will have a horrible time. It is advantageous if the business concept resonates with your own values and does not compromise your identity or character.

Importantly, capitalise on your experience and skill set.

Utilise your creativity, and utilise your strengths to optimise the business concept.

Recognize your weaknesses. You do not need to be an expert in all areas, and if you are aware of your weak areas, you will want to hire employees with the skill set your firm requires to complement your own.

If this is not practicable, you should pursue an entirely new idea.

The initial expenses are prohibitive

Certain types of enterprises are excessively expensive to launch due to their industry sector or market climate.

Examples of specialised industries include the pharmaceutical and automotive manufacturing industries.

Each requires a substantial amount of resources and knowledge to launch. Few individuals have the resources to even initiate the production of medications and/or automobiles.

Finding financiers for manufacturing initiatives is a significant obstacle for the majority.

You are incapable of managing the chosen company model

Certain business structures are prohibitively costly to operate over the long term.

A business model is an organisation's core profit-making strategy, which specifies the services and goods it will offer, anticipated costs, and its target market.

Consequently, a flawed business model could result in the demise of a company.

As an illustration, below is an example of a 'lock-in business strategy'.

This is a strategy in which corporations limit services to the benefit of their customers, allowing the brand to give exclusive services to its product/service users.

Apple is a fantastic example of a corporation employing this method. It enables Apple device owners to access special services not available to Android users.

Attempting to stay up with the market presents both risk and expense. If you are a new product or service that has not received complete market acceptance, you may find yourself in a predicament.

Users may grow frustrated if they can't access a current market service because their devices cannot be easily connected with products from outside their own ecosystem, which in this case is the Apple brand.

Considering the options available to customers in general, you can understand how much effort this brand must expend to maintain its relevance.

Your company's idea does not address an issue in the market

People pay money to address their difficulties. They pay for problem-solving services.

MTC Consultancy may assist you with a plan to expand your business, product information requirements, or selecting one of more than fifty business model solutions.

In a firm, time restrictions and the need to meet established deadlines may be the source of the issue. These are issues that must be resolved.

An executive, for instance, may need to be in two places at the same time (pick up children from school and collect groceries from the local grocer).

One will require outsourcing. This is an issue solved. Does anyone require the item you wish to sell? Does what you sell solve difficulties for certain individuals or businesses?

The challenge is in locating these people. Are enough individuals interested in your goods or services? If there is no market, your skills will be irrelevant and you will fail.

Examine your business model to determine what can be done to rectify the situation.

Occasionally, the devil is in the details. You may find success in the tiny adjustments you make. It could be the market segment selected for your business plan.

To meet the requirements of underserved market segments, such as diverse population groupings, we can assist you with consumer familiarisation research to provide guidance for modifications.

Determine the obstacles and potential for future adjustments or development-specific guidelines.

Other research that can inform your strategies includes attitude and usage, branding, and positioning studies.

The market is saturated with established enterprises

This should not be a problem, but depending on the corporate culture and market environment, it may be a warning sign.

If there is no room for your company, it will be difficult to succeed unless you have a unique position.

Your company does not need to be large and well-established to provide services in the market and create an impact. Simply discover a way to accomplish it better or more cheaply.

There will always be someone who can benefit from your services. Does there exist a subcultural group for your product or service that is underserved due to forces of change?

Finding these people is hard and takes skill unless there are other problems in the market and you can't do the job more quickly or for less money.

Again, it may be beneficial to examine your business strategy and identify strategies to pivot. How is your product superior to the competition?

Through research, you can determine if your price point is tempting enough for customers to purchase your solution.

People place spending limits on specific solutions. Determine if your price is too high or too low for the market by comparing it to the prices of similar products.

You are in business, and it is expected that you will generate a profit. If it costs so much to produce the goods, then your pricing must be reasonable to cover those expenditures, including your time and expertise or knowledge.

Lastly, it is extremely challenging to be successful at something you dislike or in an aggressive business environment.

Avoid business concepts and environments that you will find unpleasant. Make every effort to ensure that your business idea is sound and that there are laws in place to protect your small business.

Be conscious of your values and ensure that none of them are violated in your business dealings. Peace of mind is advantageous for business because it entails mental health maintenance.


MTC Consultancy primarily focuses on providing management consulting services, delivering business consulting and digital solutions, advising and supporting entrepreneurs from a variety of industries, addressing business gaps and resolving complex issues in corporate, marketing, operational, and human resources.

For more information, connect with Cecilia on Enterprise Nation today.

Cecilia Patterson
Cecilia PattersonMTC Consultancy/MTC Marketing Research Solutions

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