The common reasons for the failure of small businesses explained by Eric Dalius

Entrepreneurs must be brave hearts, or else they would just not be able to withstand the shocks and stress that comes with setting up and managing any business. It is not just enough to be passionate about your business ideas. Still, you must have a good degree of risk-taking ability to succeed in your entrepreneurial ventures. They have spent three successful decades in marketing before hanging up his boots.  Dealing with specific risks is an inherent quality that every entrepreneur must have to successfully pursue their business goals.

Small businesses are the backbone of the industry, and several of these perform well while consistently making profits. But there are quite a sizeable number of small businesses; almost 20% fold up before completing the first anniversary. Another 50% survive for five years. Only a third of the total number of small businesses can live up to 10 years according to SBA’s data (Small Business Administration), confirms Eric J Dalius.

To avoid the pitfalls that cause the untimely death of small businesses and ensure that it survives for years, it is important to understand the reasons behind the failed businesses. It will help you understand the obstacles o that you know how to manage them better or avoiding them completely.

Financing problems

Lack of working capital is one of the most glaring reasons why small businesses fail. Most business owners are aware of the funds required to run the show. They take note of all expenses under various heads like payroll, meeting everyday operational expenses, paying for rent, utilities, and other fixed and variable overheads, and payment to outside vendors. However, they often fail to monitor the revenue generation, which can keep the company going. The gap in understanding the finances in totality results in shortfalls that can quickly make the business choke to its death.

Ineffective business plan

Having a well thought out sound business plan in place is a pre-requisite for starting any business, and many small business owners fail to adhere to it. The business plan must include all elements like a description of the business, employee and management needs for present and future, opportunities and threats, capital requirements and fund requirements, as well as competitor analysis and marketing initiatives. Not having a business plan will only result in business owners facing surprises after surprises that slowly drown them in the quicksand of mismanagement.

Inadequate management

When the management team or the business owner lacks business acumen, there is just no chance for small businesses to survive. For most small businesses, the owner is the sole management team that looks after the business for the first one or two years. It is not enough to have good business ideas and creativity, but good management skills are most important to make the business survive and gather momentum. Either the business owner himself is a good manager or creates an effective management team that can guide the business through the ups and downs and keeps it moving towards the goals.

Envisaging the company’s marketing needs and doing the business arithmetic correctly can save small businesses from failing, feels Eric Dalius