Bad Habits That Are Killing Your Business

Everyone some bad habits that they are struggle to overcome. I know I do!  And entrepreneurs often overlook their bad business habits that are negatively affecting their companies.

If you are a small business owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, there are some bad habits that we entrepreneurs have. In fact, these habits are often the reason for small businesses failures.

We often overlook these habits and assume that as long as the business is running, we are going to profit as long as we focus on customer acquisition. But that is untrue. These bad habits, many of which I had and overcame, can sink your firm unnecessarily.

Sure you have good business habits, such as tracking your sales and expenses in your accounting software and diligently promoting your products. However, these habits are subtler and thus may have escaped your notice.

I have been through it all, and I know from experience that if you ignore these habits, they will kill your business. I have lost money, time, and customer loyalty by neglecting these habits.

Please learn from my mistakes and kindly note these habits and avoid them if you want to increase profits in your business.

#1 Bad Habit: Poor Communication

One thing that business owners often forget is that communication is key to success.

Connection is the way to a good relationship with your employees and customers. Hiding behind your desk replying to emails and answering phone calls is not enough: you need to get out and build relationships on a personal level.

Communicating one on one with people will build a strong relationship that will produce passionate brand ambassadors who will highly speak of your products or services. Always remember: when people feel appreciated and comfortable with your brand, they will recommend you.

It’s important that you invest in a good CRM software or app to record the interactions between your business and your customers. Get to know why customers love your products and services and keep maintaining your relationship with them.

# 2 Bad Habit: Not Protecting your Business Data

Data breaches have been a big problem for large business. Often a big company is hacked, and their private data is lost to criminals. As a small business, we tend to ignore these breaches thinking that hackers have no interest in a small business data. It’s quite the opposite. Smaller businesses attract more cyber criminals because they are easy targets, since they have fewer tools and resources to prevent attacks. Small businesses are more vulnerable to being hacked.

Your small business may lack a professional team of IT experts, but that does not mean you cannot protect your data. It’s vital to implement a proper way of ensuring that your digital data remains protected at all times. Here are some necessary basics you need to apply to ensure that your data is always secured.

• Train your employees and yourself to avoid clicking on unknown links from emails that have the potential to install malware on your computer systems.
• Always use strong passwords to access your company’s sensitive data. You should also put a password policy in place for those who are allowed to access your computer system.
• Backup your systems on a regular basis or better yet, use cloud storage systems that will manage your backups and ensure that your data remains protected.
• Ensure that your Wi-Fi network is secure and that physical access to your business computers is limited.
• Activate your operating system’s firewall or get a free firewall and install it on your computer system. Ensure that all your employees install a firewall on their computers if they work from home. To enforce this, it is recommended you put a policy on using unsecured public Wi-Fi.
• Install all the updates you receive from your security software to stay ahead of data thieves. It’s easy to forget updating your computer systems since you are busy growing your business. Therefore, its advised to use cloud-based programs that will automatically update your computer system.

#3 Bad Habit – Hiring the Lowest Price Bidder

I know that small business owners are busy trying to reduce costs as much as possible but is this always profitable in the long run? No!

If you hire a cheap employee, you will have to train them more and use more of your precious your resources and time. Another problem is that when they sharpen their skills, they often then leave for a more prominent company.

Employees with excellent skills are hard to find, but they are worth the effort. You are better off employing a person who will strategize your small firm and grow it to its maximum potential. An employee who can effortlessly blend with your business and will help you in making the right decisions when it comes to building your business is priceless.

#4 Bad Habit – Not Delegating your Projects

When my business was in its infancy, I always handled all my tasks since I thought no one was capable of doing them the way I wanted them done.

This a common thing for small business owners to commit themselves to doing everything – to our firms detriment. This will eventually lead you to burn out, and then you will perform some or all, of your tasks poorly.

It is advised to outsource what you are not good at and focus on the tasks that you can perform your best. It will be easier to grow your business if you divide your tasks and assign them to respective employees. You can not do all the work perfectly. You have to outsource these tasks. Make sure that the tasks you are outsourcing are adding value to your business.

#5 Bad Habit – Not Having a Business Blog for your Website

We are often so busy promoting our business offline that we forget the online platform, specifically your business’s blog. Having an online presence is very important for your business.

Most of your customers are busy searching for products and services online. The best way for them to find you is by presenting yourself on the search engines with original content from your blog.

You will also be engaging your customers by giving them something to read about your products and services. A good, engaging blog can take your business to the next level.

Now that you know what bad habits are holding you and your business back, it is time to take charge of your business.

Refrain from these mistakes, and you will see your business grow to its full potential. Start implementing the right measures in your business right now before it is too late.