Do
you know that starting a business is one of the most, if not the most
challenging tasks any individual can embark upon? Why is this the case,
you might ask?
First of all, consider that you are about venturing
into a world of uncertainty. Now you may have carried out your
feasibility studies, obtained the training and expertise needed to run a
business as well as gather all the resources to hit the road running;
but remember that the business world offers no guarantees.
There
are no guarantees that there will be no change in fiscal and monetary
policy that will effectively shut down the operations of your business.
There
are no guarantees that your target market may acquire new tastes and
needs, hence rendering your product/service redundant.
There are
no guarantees that a competitor will not emerge down the line and cut
into your market share and hence cut down your profits.
Indeed,
starting a business means you will need to be a self-starter and have
loads of determination and optimism to succeed. Therefore, it becomes
imperative that you surround yourself with the people that have the same
attitude and hunger as you do.
In the same vein, it is just as
important that you avoid certain categories of people when you begin
your entrepreneurial journey.
These categories of people have the
capacity to derail your vision in business; they can also impair your
views about life in general. These categories of people to avoid include
the following:
1. Avoid People who seem to Know It All
Businesses
thrive and flourish when their owners are constantly in the search for
more knowledge; better ways of offering a product or service to their
customers. It is what has kept businesses like Apple and Facebook
relevant; posting impressive profits because they continue to research,
innovate and seek knowledge. You cannot perform below this standard.
Therefore,
it is important that you get rid of people who feel that they have all
the knowledge and do not see the need to better themselves.
You
must shun these people simply because your business needs you to
constantly be on the lookout for new and better ways of solving the
needs and want of your customers.
2. Avoid People who Nag and Complain a lot
Starting
a business will require that you possess loads of determination and
focus. Why is this the case? It is simply because there will be times
when you will face challenges and setbacks that will question the very
basis of why you started the business in the first place. It is during
those periods that you should be thankful for the little victories that
you may have garnered up until that time.
If you surround yourself
with people who are never grateful for what they have accomplished,
even if small but would rather throw tantrums and whine about how things
can be better, you may end up assuming such a disposition to your
business and life in general.
3. Avoid People Who Massage your Ego
You
have begun your entrepreneurial journey and the time has come to bring
on staff and advisers that will help propel your venture forward.
It
is pertinent to note the person who always sings your praises, always
demurs to your every whim and tells you that you can do no wrong. Run
away from people who cozy up to you in this way.
What you and your
business need are people who will be bold enough to push for what they
believe is the way to go in your business, even if their opinion is at
odds with yours.
4. Avoid People who are Overly Pessimistic
There
are certain people who will always envision the worst possible outcome
for any plan or project. If such people had their ways, they would not
even get out of bed in the mornings.
If you surround yourself with
these kinds of people, you run the risk of viewing every potential
business action or project through the lens of it failing or worse.
You
must realize that starting a business itself is a risk but a calculated
one when you are able to plan and prepare adequately.
5. Avoid People who want to Always receive all the Credit
In
starting a business, you will be deploying both human and non-human
resources in meeting the demands/needs of your target market.
This will mean that you will lead and be a part of a team that will implement the objectives of your business.
It is important that you avoid recruiting people who are self-centered and are not team players.
They
usually want to be in the limelight and receive praise for
accomplishments whether or not it is directly from their efforts or not.
Such
people have the potential to disrupt team synergy and cohesion and
could engender an unproductive atmosphere in the business.
6. Avoid People who try to Cut Corners
You
will do yourself and your business a world of good when you shun
individuals who are in a hurry to earn a buck or seal a transaction.
This should not be confused with employees who go the extra mile in
making sales and getting new markets. People who cut corners, on the
other hand, will try even illegal ways and means to get something done.
Their
actions have the potential of not only corrupting other members of your
business team, but they could also put your operations in trouble with
the laws of the land.
7. Avoid People Who Sow Discord
There
are people who get a thrill from fanning the embers of business place
gossip and hearsay, while at the same time smearing the reputation of
others, in order to advance their own causes.