Do you want to start 2019 with a bang? My Business Blog for this Week – 6th February……..

Hi All!.............

Kung Hei Fat Choi – Happy Chinese New Year 5th February

Returning from my 2 week RTW trip that included catching up with family in Ireland, business in London and spending three days with my business coach in Miami…I think to myself how grateful I am to be doing what I love to do – This is the greatest time ever to be alive. It is just over 7 years since I left the high flying life of the global corporate world and today a special day because I have the opportunity to use my 25 years of corporate international experience to make a difference in the world, as I begin My Young Entrepreneurs Academy in schools in Australia. Teaching kids from as young as 10 years old how to develop an entrepreneurial mind set and use of your imagination to problem solve and transform an idea into a business is unfortunately sadly lacking in the education system today worldwide. More about My Young Entrepreneurs Academy in future blogs.

Thank you for your support since I started this weekly blog last year………………                    

As always please share my blog and social media posts with all your friends as that is how we build a community. Also I would love to hear your feedback, comments and suggestions of content for future weeks

Here is some of my advice in response to the many questions that you submitted last week about Starting up a Business                             

Do you want to start 2019 with a bang? The new year is the perfect time to finally take the leap and open the business that you’ve always dreamed about starting. In addressing some of the many questions that you submitted last week about Starting up a Business I have put together a list of some my best business-building tips from my experience of setting up over 20 businesses in 10 countries around the world. My hope is that these tips will help you stop dreaming and start doing.

1. Pick the right time to start

When the holiday shopping frenzy is over, many would-be entrepreneurs want to relax curl up on the couch with a good book or movie which might seem like a far more inviting prospect than working on your business. But don’t be swayed. Starting a business is a lot of hard work, and the sooner you get started, the better. Plus, starting your business after the holiday rush gives you time to settle into your niche market, grow organically and work out the kinks before the next holiday season rolls around.

2. Know your motivation

If you look at most successful businesses, they usually have one thing in common: a commitment to a specific goal or objective. Defining this goal for your business is more than just a way to improve your chances of long term success. It’s also a way to help you take the leap and finally start up.

When you consider why you want to start a business, you’re forced to answer questions about how you might actually go about starting up. For example:

• How will you acquire start-up capital?
• What kind of brand best represents you?
• Where will you find suppliers?
• How will you market to customers?
• Beginning to answer these questions, even if it’s just subconsciously, works to make starting up seem far less scary.

3. Create a business plan

Before you open your new business, you need to write a business plan. Most banks won’t give out small business loans without one. Think of your business plan as the blueprint for your business. It should include your market research, estimated start-up costs, monthly operating budget and forecasted revenue projections. A thorough business plan shows lenders and investors that you’ve done your homework. Creating a business plan brings your overall strategy into focus, and in doing so, eliminates the fear and uncertainty that can hold back so many promising entrepreneurs.

4. Set a deadline

The best time to start working on your small business is now. The sooner you get to work, the more progress you can make, and the bigger your head start. You also don’t necessarily need to quit your current job just yet. Many experts advocate starting your business as a side hustle first, and then transitioning to it full time when you’re confident you can earn a living wage from it.  

If you’re committed to jumping in head first, take an honest look at your personal finances (you might have to live off your savings for a while) and the amount of time you have to set up your new business. Many people cite being their own boss and the ability to control their earning potential as major reasons why they launched their own small businesses. But in order to achieve those goals, you’re going to need to ensure you have enough financial runway first.

Whichever path you take, we highly recommend setting a deadline. There’s no better way to overcome inaction than by giving yourself a hard timeline that you need to hit.

5. Choose the right tools and technology

Choosing the right software and tools can make a huge difference when it comes to starting your business. The more you can rely on your software to handle the tedious tasks you need to complete in order to be successful, the more time you have to focus on strategy and the big picture. Automating tasks like accounting, payroll and business reporting can take a lot of the headaches out of a new entrepreneur’s day.

Some of the tools and technology you might want to consider include:

Your business online: It is essential today to have an online website platform to showcase your brand and values and tell the world about what you do and how you can help people solve their problems and if interested where they can buy your product or services

Accounting platform: This tool can help you get your employees paid on time, reconcile your invoices and ensure that you have cash on hand for payroll.

Point of sale software: This tool is more than a cash register replacement. It helps retail and food service businesses process sales transactions, manage customer relations and understand their business through analytics and reports.

Marketing platforms: These tools help you manage all aspects of your marketing strategy, whether that includes email, digital advertising, social media or all of the above.

As far as selecting specific brands and products, our best advice is to understand your goals and budget for a specific tool, and then go out and find the one that offers the best balance of functionality and cost. Lastly, make sure to read customer reviews so you can avoid picking a low quality product.

Making the decision to start your own business can be intimidating – but with knowledge, passion, a set plan and a good experienced coach to support and guide you and keep you accountable, the sky’s the limit for your dreams. It’s time to stop spinning your wheels in a cubicle and start letting yourself shine as an entrepreneur.

Starting your own business is often a learn-as-you-go process. But, the more smart decisions you make early on, the better chance your company has for success. If you have an entrepreneurial idea, consider the advice and tips mentioned above when starting your own business. I hope you found the advice of value.

And, as always, please give me feedback on

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube

Which ‘Tip’ above is your favourite? What do you want more or less of?

Other suggestions? Let me know! Just send an email to [email protected].

 Some items of news for this month of February……………..

1. Join me every month where I go live into my private online members group and teach people for an hour on the 'how to' strategies, tools and techniques and provide solutions to help with with the challenges that business people and employees are faced with today. I also do live Q&A and give away prizes. Click on this link https://www.jimmibradbury.com/offers/SUmncTgD

2. I have just launched my 12 week business coaching program for those who want some help and guidance and accountability achieving their 2019 goals. The structured curriculum is for both One on One and Group coaching and is suitable for people from all walks of life; Today, I am blessed to be working with Olympian athletes, Start-ups, families working from home, doctors, school principals and CEOs of multi-million dollar companies. The program is based on a structured curriculum designed to get you results. The program is outcomes based over a 12 week period and at a very affordable rate.  I am also offering a Free 60 minute strategy session and all you need to do is click on this link to request an appointment. Click here https://www.jimmibradbury.com/pl/64296

3. Also to remind you I have started a weekly competition over in my personal blog to receive a bottle of the wine that I review each week. To the winner, I will ship a bottle of the same bottle of wine to you anywhere in the world!!

Have a wonderful week!

Live the Life You Imagine!

-  Jimmi

www.jimmibradbury.com