Question for business owners or soon to be business owners

[CPU]

What are you largest challenges in the running your own business or starting one?

What resources (like this forum) would make it easier for you to do business and bring in more cash?

The types of things that come to my mind are documentation of work, a tested knowledgebase rather than regurgitated online facts, a team of like minded individuals (employees or forum members), a fee structure that represents the clients I wish to acquire, support options, etc.

Let me be clear in why I am asking for this information because I have gotten alot of heat for it. I am not a marketer looking to spam. I have no bad intentions in seeking this information. I am in the process of writing a book and having this question answered buy people that are in all stages of this work helps me to think back of all the issues I faced and how I overcame them. So far I have been made aware of 2 things I totally forgot about. I will not ask anyone to buy anything or even mention my businesses in any way. Its just helping me to get this information back. For this you can ask me anything and I will give you my input if I can.

 

[CPU]

please put your status also

owner?
employed and staying?
employed and thinking of starting your own thing?
time at current status?

Thanks

 

[Appleby]

For me, there are huge differences in the problems of starting a business and running one that is up and profitable.

I think hardest things when first starting out are pretty obvious, lack of customers = lack of income. Even if you've got money to start the business with, it takes a good deal of money to advertise and KEEP advertising, even when it takes longer to get the ball rolling than you expected. I was only able to do this because my wife has a job that was able to support us for over two years.

Now days, I see time management as problem. I have no employees and I'm at that critical point of wishing I had a person to answer the phone, check in computers etc but I'm really not making enough money to support an employee. I can't see that person being a big enough help that they would actually pay for their own salary, so I just keep doing what I'm doing. That all being said, managing my time, getting in the office to work on computers (I do alot of onsite work), meeting customers at the office for drop offs and picks ups etc, is all very hard.

Just my 2 cents

EDIT - to answer questions in your 2nd post.

Owner - started business over 4 years ago

 

[CPU]

For me, there are huge differences in the problems of starting a business and running one that is up and profitable.

I think hardest things when first starting out are pretty obvious, lack of customers = lack of income. Even if you've got money to start the business with, it takes a good deal of money to advertise and KEEP advertising, even when it takes longer to get the ball rolling than you expected. I was only able to do this because my wife has a job that was able to support us for over two years.

Now days, I see time management as problem. I have no employees and I'm at that critical point of wishing I had a person to answer the phone, check in computers etc but I'm really not making enough money to support an employee. I can't see that person being a big enough help that they would actually pay for their own salary, so I just keep doing what I'm doing. That all being said, managing my time, getting in the office to work on computers (I do alot of on site work), meeting customers at the office for drop offs and picks ups etc, is all very hard.

Just my 2 cents

EDIT - to answer questions in your 2nd post.

Owner - started business over 4 years ago

Thank you I value your input The more you can be in your office the more you can work on systems in the shop, answer the phone, work on systems remotely, respond to email, greet customers at the door, and grow. We hired staff to answer the phone at first because we didn't want to anymore. in retrospect it was the wrong decision and they never worked out because of their lack of tech skills needed to book they appointment given the issue. In they end the best hires are techs because they can do both. If you cant afford that yet then I would recommend just hire someone to look the part and handle the on site portion cheap. they would pick up and drop off systems for hardware issues or be walked through getting someone online by you so you can start a remote session.

 

[14049752]

If you cant afford that yet then I would recommend just hire someone to look the part and handle the on site portion cheap. they would pick up and drop off systems for hardware issues or be walked through getting someone online by you so you can start a remote session.

This is such a bad suggestion, I don't even know what to say. If you can't afford real techs, you shouldn't be hiring fakes in their place.


As far as the business, I think the main challenge I'm facing right now is in thinking long term and making sure I'll still be in demand years from now. The best resource I have to keep my business going is experience. If I don't have the experience or knowledge, I have friends in other businesses that I regard as my mentors.

 

[CPU]

It`s not fakes in their place, i did this when I could not yet afford techs. The customer was made aware of the issue buy me on the phone and I would tell them the next action that would take place. They were aware that this "associate" would be on his way by to pick up their system for in shop work. Or if it was a network issue the associate would be walked through what to do buy me on the phone (after the first one they knew all the devices and exactly what i was saying). This way I could connect and resolve the remaining network issues (with the associates laptop) or any other issues. For me it was not about making them look like techs it was first setting the customers expectations then delivering on what promised. The "look the part" was to say look professional (uniforms). I offered this from experience and have never had a complaint because the on site charges are minimal due to the bulk of the work being done in the shop or remotely. I also offered this because you said you biggest issue was time management and the more you can be in the office the better you will be able to manage your time and in they end earn more.

Just now realized thats a totally different person

"I'll still be in demand years from now" short answer you will be!

 

[NeutronTech]

It`s not fakes in their place, i did this when I could not yet afford techs. The customer was made aware of the issue buy me on the phone and I would tell them the next action that would take place. They were aware that this "associate" would be on his way by to pick up their system for in shop work. Or if it was a network issue the associate would be walked through what to do buy me on the phone (after the first one they knew all the devices and exactly what i was saying). This way I could connect and resolve the remaining network issues (with the associates laptop) or any other issues. For me it was not about making them look like techs it was first setting the customers expectations then delivering on what promised. The "look the part" was to say look professional (uniforms). I offered this from experience and have never had a complaint because the on site charges are minimal due to the bulk of the work being done in the shop or remotely. I also offered this because you said you biggest issue was time management and the more you can be in the office the better you will be able to manage your time and in they end earn more.

Just now realized thats a totally different person

"I'll still be in demand years from now" short answer you will be!

This still seems like a bad idea. I understand what your getting at, but I would advise against it. I can see this type of employee knowing enough about computers to try and steal the customer for themselves. I'd have a hard time trusting a low paid "associate". The only non tech employee I would have is for office / clerical work. And I just don't think that sending a non tech out to a house for any reason is going to be a positive image for your company anyways, no matter how they are dressed.

I guess if I was at the point of needing to hire a tech, then that would mean that I would be able to afford an actual tech. An associate is only going to save you some travel time while an experienced tech can double your work load and handle phone support and other questions. This would free you to focus on operations and tech work as well. Plus you'd be able to take time off if you needed to knowing that you've got a tech to still handle repairs while your gone.

In the end, if your going to spend the money on an associate, I would just throw a few more buck / hr out there and get a Tech. There are so many advantages for just a few bucks more an hour.

 

[CPU]

This still seems like a bad idea. I understand what your getting at, but I would advise against it. I can see this type of employee knowing enough about computers to try and steal the customer for themselves. I'd have a hard time trusting a low paid "associate". The only non tech employee I would have is for office / clerical work. And I just don't think that sending a non tech out to a house for any reason is going to be a positive image for your company anyways, no matter how they are dressed.

I guess if I was at the point of needing to hire a tech, then that would mean that I would be able to afford an actual tech. An associate is only going to save you some travel time while an experienced tech can double your work load and handle phone support and other questions. This would free you to focus on operations and tech work as well. Plus you'd be able to take time off if you needed to knowing that you've got a tech to still handle repairs while your gone.

In the end, if your going to spend the money on an associate, I would just throw a few more buck / hr out there and get a Tech. There are so many advantages for just a few bucks more an hour.

You cant be scared of employees stealing customers or you will never have employees. If you give employees what they want (security, a happy environment to work in, raises) then they will have no reason to go. This same fear will apply when it comes time to hire a tech. Pay rates of a tech are double that of an associate at entry level. Also if your customers like you and trust you they will (and they have with us) tell you if they suspect something. You cannot legally prevent competition whether its previous employees or other startups the same rules apply.

 

[CPU]

This still seems like a bad idea. I understand what your getting at, but I would advise against it. I can see this type of employee knowing enough about computers to try and steal the customer for themselves. I'd have a hard time trusting a low paid "associate". The only non tech employee I would have is for office / clerical work. And I just don't think that sending a non tech out to a house for any reason is going to be a positive image for your company anyways, no matter how they are dressed.

I guess if I was at the point of needing to hire a tech, then that would mean that I would be able to afford an actual tech. An associate is only going to save you some travel time while an experienced tech can double your work load and handle phone support and other questions. This would free you to focus on operations and tech work as well. Plus you'd be able to take time off if you needed to knowing that you've got a tech to still handle repairs while your gone.

In the end, if your going to spend the money on an associate, I would just throw a few more buck / hr out there and get a Tech. There are so many advantages for just a few bucks more an hour.

Can you give me some input on they original post?

 

[Corbin]

@CPU: So If im reading this right you would higher a "Non-Tech" to look the part and goto customers and fix their machines, im tired at the moment so Im hoping its me reading like a alligator.

P.S. If you got to add something instead of flooding the thread use the Edit button towards the bottom of your recent post.

EDIT:

 

[DavidF]

The topic covers a very large scope.
The challenges of starting a business of any type is a subject in it's own right.
The challenges of maintaining it are another, although there are overlapping issues.
From my standpoint the biggest sole issue for either is continuity of work and I believe this is applicable as a sole trader or a business with some or many employees.
Continuity of work is affected by demand, marketing, & performance.
Not neccessarily in that order.
For we small fish in a big pond I believe that demand is a relative constant so if you can provide performance you are ahead of the game.
If you can get yourself in people's faces you are ahead again.
If you can maintain performance and marketing while sustaining or increasing demand then you have the perfect balance.
When you get the formula right then bottle it or write a book, sell the book or the formula and retire to your own personal island. But not before letting me in on it

 

[CPU]

@CPU: So If I'm reading this right you would higher a "Non-Tech" to look the part and goto customers and fix their machines, I'm tired at the moment so I'm hoping its me reading like a alligator.

P.S. If you got to add something instead of flooding the thread use the Edit button toward the bottom of your recent post.

EDIT:

Read it again, and can anyone answer the question in they original post?

 

[CPU]

The topic covers a very large scope.
The challenges of starting a business of any type is a subject in it's own right.
The challenges of maintaining it are another, although there are overlapping issues.
From my standpoint the biggest sole issue for either is continuity of work and I believe this is applicable as a sole trader or a business with some or many employees.
Continuity of work is affected by demand, marketing, & performance.
Not neccessarily in that order.
For we small fish in a big pond I believe that demand is a relative constant so if you can provide performance you are ahead of the game.
If you can get yourself in people's faces you are ahead again.
If you can maintain performance and marketing while sustaining or increasing demand then you have the perfect balance.
When you get the formula right then bottle it or write a book, sell the book or the formula and retire to your own personal island. But not before letting me in on it

Thanks for your input! can you tell me your current status

owner?
employed and staying?
employed and thinking of starting your own thing?
time at current status?

Thanks

 

[Mushin]

It`s not fakes in their place, i did this when I could not yet afford techs. The customer was made aware of the issue buy me on the phone and I would tell them the next action that would take place. They were aware that this "associate" would be on his way by to pick up their system for in shop work. Or if it was a network issue the associate would be walked through what to do buy me on the phone (after the first one they knew all the devices and exactly what i was saying). This way I could connect and resolve the remaining network issues (with the associates laptop) or any other issues. For me it was not about making them look like techs it was first setting the customers expectations then delivering on what promised. The "look the part" was to say look professional (uniforms). I offered this from experience and have never had a complaint because the on site charges are minimal due to the bulk of the work being done in the shop or remotely. I also offered this because you said you biggest issue was time management and the more you can be in the office the better you will be able to manage your time and in they end earn more.

Just now realized thats a totally different person

"I'll still be in demand years from now" short answer you will be!

I have to agree with others on this. Hiring someone at an early stage just to pickup computers or be walked through the problem on the phone by you is not the best use of resources. I am also not fond of the idea of them just "looking the part."

There are all kinds of expenses and liabilities that need to be taken into account before you hire someone (Actually hire to be legal). Payroll, workmans comp, taxes etc are all factors.

Additionally the added responsibility that you now have to the employee and making payroll will weigh heavily on cashflow management. When you have employees you need to ensure that you can make payroll each and every week. Plus that employee is going to want a certain number of hours for the job to be worth while for them. If you are not able to provide a good and rewarding employee experience they will not be with you long and you will find that you will constantly be hiring and training new employees. In the end this takes even more time away from you running and expanding your business.... and isn't this the reason you want employees to begin with.

If needing more time to service customers is the issue there are all kinds of things that can be done. I think someone mentioned being in the office to answer phones.... Well the same result can be accomplished by forwarding calls to you cell while you are on site.

My recomendation for a business that is a one man show is to make sure you are doing everything you possibly can to be as efficient as possible and operate without employees as long as possible. Only when there is no other option should you start down the employee route.

Phil Jones - Owner

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

totally agree Mushin

employing someone is a massive step - I'd want to be in a position where I'm consistently and frequently turning work down before I'd even consider getting someone else in to help

you can use a human phone answering service to cut down on the number of people who hang up as soon as they hear an answerphone

you can do more remote-support to cut down on traveling time

you can bring more computers back to the workshop so that you can work on more than one machine at a time - this doesn't help with the traveling time though!

you can get customers to drop their computers off to you instead of collecting them - you can always arrange to take the PC back to connect back up once they have been fixed

 

[Mushin]

totally agree Mushin

employing someone is a massive step - I'd want to be in a position where I'm consistently and frequently turning work down before I'd even consider getting someone else in to help

you can use a human phone answering service to cut down on the number of people who hang up as soon as they hear an answerphone

you can do more remote-support to cut down on traveling time

you can bring more computers back to the workshop so that you can work on more than one machine at a time - this doesn't help with the traveling time though!

you can get customers to drop their computers off to you instead of collecting them - you can always arrange to take the PC back to connect back up once they have been fixed

Yep... These are all things that can be done before you hire someone. The natural progression of one man business is often from onsite to having a shop and then to hiring people. The hiring poeple would also possibly come after using fulfilment services like On Force to handle those jobs that you can not service or as temp labor untill such a point that you costs of using a service like on force would pay for an employee at a good labor rate to ensure that they remain with your company for quite a while.

As a side note to hiring people... the first person you hire should be someone that you could see using as a manager of your business down the road. I would say that your first emplooyee should be a very expereinced individual with business and technical skills.... someone that you would pick as a partner if were going into business with them.

 

[NeutronTech]

Can you give me some input on they original post?

Yup, my best advice to you or anyone starting a new business, is to look through this forum and read as much as you can. What you are asking for is basically the essence of this forum. Just start going back through old threads. There is a ton of information. If your relying on this thread only to get the best information, you will be losing out and missing a lot of valuable information.

 

[CPU]

Yup, my best advice to you or anyone starting a new business, is to look through this forum and read as much as you can. What you are asking for is basically the essence of this forum. Just start going back through old threads. There is a ton of information. If your relying on this thread only to get the best information, you will be losing out and missing a lot of valuable information.

I interested in you personally in your own experience what is your biggest challenge in starting or running your business, what obstacle would you like to overcome?

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

what was the question again? sorry I missed it the first fourteen times

 

[CPU]

I have to agree with others on this. Hiring someone at an early stage just to pickup computers or be walked through the problem on the phone by you is not the best use of resources. I am also not fond of the idea of them just "looking the part."

Offered it from experience in making the transition to hiring techs, I don't want this post to turn into an argument over this issue I'm interested in your input on the original post.
There are all kinds of expenses and liabilities that need to be taken into account before you hire someone (Actually hire to be legal). Payroll, workmans comp, taxes etc are all factors.

Additionally the added responsibility that you now have to the employee and making payroll will weigh heavily on cashflow management. When you have employees you need to ensure that you can make payroll each and every week. Plus that employee is going to want a certain number of hours for the job to be worth while for them. If you are not able to provide a good and rewarding employee experience they will not be with you long and you will find that you will constantly be hiring and training new employees. In the end this takes even more time away from you running and expanding your business.... and isn't this the reason you want employees to begin with.

True but until you do you only own a job and not a business.

If needing more time to service customers is the issue there are all kinds of things that can be done. I think someone mentioned being in the office to answer phones.... Well the same result can be accomplished by forwarding calls to you cell while you are on site.

Yes efficiency improvement will get you to a certain point but eventually you will need help and getting it before you do is key. No business owner should turn away a customer because of lack of help. Also people don't want to pay you if your taking calls during "their time".
My recomendation for a business that is a one man show is to make sure you are doing everything you possibly can to be as efficient as possible and operate without employees as long as possible. Only when there is no other option should you start down the employee route.

Good point Can you comment on they original post?