When you look at the factors which go into a successful business, it’s astounding any of us make it off the ground. So many things need to come together to make a company run the way it should. You need the right people in the right place, with the right product. You also need the customers and the funding. And, this all needs to be 100% perfect and in line. In that sense, making a successful company is about as miraculous as having a baby. But, women have babies every day, and businesses succeed on a regular basis. All you need to do to join them is line everything up the way it should be.

What happens, though, if something’s out of whack somewhere? What if there’s a loose link along your business chain? It may seem dramatic but, left unchecked, this could spell the end of your efforts. Even small issues can stop you from ever getting off the ground. That can come as both a blow and a relief. If you’re already having trouble, for example, finding that loose link could see you back on your feet. All you need to do is consider where you’re going wrong. To help you get to the bottom of things, we’re going to look at some of the prime loose links many businesses experience.

A problem with your product

Nothing is as crucial for success as your product. You could have the best marketing plan going, and you’d still struggle to get off the ground if your loose link laid here. Your product is sure to be the leading area of scrutiny. This is what will either please or displease your customers. Hence why you should turn your attention here first. You should be forever improving your designs, and quality testing each batch. You should also be making sure that your product doesn’t clash with anything else on the market. And, you should do a fair amount of stress testing along the way to uncover any hidden flaws. If you aren’t doing these things right now, it’s really no wonder that product link is a little shaky. Customers are just never going to return to you if they aren’t impressed with what you sell. Worse, they’ll leave damning negative reviews which ensure no one else gives you a shot. The answer? Become more stringent with your development. Recognize what isn’t working, and figure out a way to fix it sharpish. Then, make sure nothing like this ever happens again by getting your testing up to scratch as fast as you can.

A chink in your armour

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Sometimes, issues like these aren’t about your product itself. Often, things like your business security are the only downfall you face. A chink here, after all, could see you losing profits as fast as you make them. A breach could even lose you customers due to a lack of faith. If you can’t work out what’s going wrong, then, this may well be your issue. In modern business, it isn’t enough to assume that a standard security program will cover you. You also need to consider things like cloud computing for added safety. If you’re worried, it may even be worth looking out from someone who’s undergone advanced penetration testing training. Such an individual will literally be able to pinpoint your security weak spots and help you strengthen them. All the better for ensuring loose links like these never hold you back for long.

A flaw in your plan

Flaws can also often be found in that all-important business plan. Having one of these in place is crucial if you want to grow your business and achieve future goals. If you meet with investors, for example, you’ll need at least a five-year plan to prove why you’re worth their while. If your plan always seems to fall flat, though, it’s a sure sign you need to put a little more attention in here. More often than not, failed plans come about due to exaggerated profit margins or glaring holes. If you think this may be your problem, it’s crucial you go back over that thing with a fine-toothed comb. Be realistic about your profit margins. Make sure, too, to revisit these with every month which passes by. Make sure, also, that you know exactly how you’ll achieve every goal on that plan. If a claim is difficult to manage, you can bet it needs to go in place of something you can actually make work.