How To Overcome Small Business Failure and Thrive

A fundamental part of overcoming business failure is rooted in the mindset you have. It begins with a flexible and positive attitude and a willingness to change. Winston Churchill stressed this vital factor, saying, “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” Failure is a part of life, and that includes business failures. How we deal with failure determines whether or not it ultimately leads to success.

We can learn a lot from successful business owners of the past, such as Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken). At 65, this financially unstable retiree, with only $105 to his name, roamed America in search of an investor for his fried chicken business. He faced rejection. However, armed with a positive mindset for change, he pushed ahead with his plans. Finally, someone saw his worth, invested in him, and KFC was born. He sold the company for $2 million when he was 74.

Follow these 10 rules to keep your business on a firm foundation, ready to weather any storms aiming to damage your enterprise.

Write Your Business Plan

To overcome small business failure and thrive, it's important to map out your vision for your company. Creating and writing your business plan can move your business from concept to a viable, successful business and help you stay on track with your goals.

Even if you've already started your business, you can still look ahead. What outcomes do you want for your business? Where would you like the company to be in the coming months and years?

Your business plan could include:

• Your mission statement
• The products or services you will offer
• Your business niche
• Ways to find prospects
• Marketing strategies
• Problems you will solve and market analysis
• Ways to position yourself against your competitors
• Financing or how you'll fund the company, such as a bank loan

The above list is not all-inclusive, and your vision can be what want it to be, but it's important that your plan is workable and achievable.

Conduct a SWOT Analysis of Your Business

Understanding your strengths and weakness can help prevent business failure. A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis is an examination of the internal and external areas of your business.

This exercise aims to identify areas that are working and those that are not. Here's a breakdown of each aspect of a successful SWOT analysis:

• Strengths are good internal factors within the business. Things are working in this area. Therefore, develop this part of your business. Use it as a model to build upon.
• Weaknesses are damaging internal factors. Something is not working properly. Look at how to make immediate changes, work toward something new, or stop what you’re doing entirely.
• Opportunities come from external factors and represent good prospects for the future. Capitalize on these ventures and act to make the most of them.
• Threats are adverse external factors that pose potential damage to your company. An obvious example would be your competition. Determine which areas of your business are affected by this problem, and set goals to make improvements that will minimize the potential for harm.

To prepare a SWOT analysis, begin by making a list of your identifiable strengths and weaknesses. Ask yourself where you would like your business to be in the future. Look at where you are now. Use the results of your SWOT analysis to design the goals you intend to accomplish and develop a plan of action to accomplish them.

Manage Cash Flow Efficiently

Without consistent and adequate cash flow, your business will eventually fail. You need to have money coming in to pay your business expenses. First, have a cash flow forecast, so you know what money is coming in and out. Remember, this is only a forecast, but it will give you insight into your financial future.

Use the forecast to project likely sales and expenditures (including cash transactions) so you know how much you’re likely to have in your bank account.

Other aspects of managing your cash flow efficiently include sending out invoices on time, taking deposit payments in advance, paying bills on time, and promptly following up with customers who fall behind on payments.

Plan and Prepare for the Tough Times

Planning and preparing for tough times, such as an economic downturn or recession, can help prevent small business failure and help you navigate through a turbulent period.

When you’re up against unexpected personal trials that breed stress, your mind becomes muddled. Your self-esteem could take a tumble, affecting the way you see yourself.

Safeguard yourself by developing resilience. Understand that life comes with problems. Assess the situation objectively. Speak with a trusted friend or family member instead of ignoring the problem. Don’t be hard on yourself, and keep believing you can overcome the obstacles you are facing. Surround yourself with the right support network of people. Don’t give up.

Perseverance, Determination, and a Positive Mindset

Running a business isn't easy. If anyone tells you otherwise, they’re lying. According to The Small Business Administration, roughly half of businesses fail within the first five years. However, you can survive in the business world. Embrace the warrior mindset and refuse to become a number in the statistics of business failures.

“I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance. It is so hard. You put so much of your life into this thing. There are such rough moments in time that I think most people give up. I don't blame them. It's really tough and it consumes your life.” – Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder

Steve Jobs persevered when Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy. What would have happened to Apple if Steve had given in to defeat?

Use success stories of people who failed their way to success to inspire and motivate you. Stephen King, one of the most popular authors, had countless rejections. The nails he used to pin the rejection letters to his wall bent under their weight. Similarly, Thomas Edison failed countless times before he was able to perfect the electric light bulb.

"The electric light has caused me the greatest amount of study and has required the most elaborate experiments. I was never myself discouraged, or inclined to be hopeless of success. I cannot say the same for all my associates." – Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb

There are many more entrepreneurs and business owners you can add to this list. They all exhibited unwavering perseverance and determination.

Keep Your Customers at the Heart of Your Business 

Gartner Group statistics indicate that 80% of a company’s revenue comes from 20% of its customers, according to Forbes. Loyal customers are the success stories of your business. Involve them in your business strategies, marketing campaign planning, and new product development. Share their case studies, consider their points of view, absorb their feedback (both good and bad), and make them feel important.

Starbucks, the biggest coffee shop chain in the world, knows how important it is to take the customer experience seriously. When hiring, potential staff members are vetted for their good attitudes, interest in the customer, and enthusiasm to meet their needs. The company is not afraid to invest time and money in creating the best customer service experience it can deliver.

Embrace Failures as Short-Term Setbacks

Bill Bartmann, named one of the wealthiest people in the world by Forbes in 1997, once lost $3 billion. But he didn't wallow in self-pity.

“We all stumble and fall. Maybe I've done it more cataclysmically than most. But you can learn so much if you open your eyes rather than blame everyone else and feel pity for yourself. You need to dust yourself off, turn around ​backward, and learn what you could have done differently. When you can do that, big things can result.” – Bill Bartmann, Commercial Financial Services Inc. founder

Most of us were taught that failure is bad. Therefore, when we fail, we are tempted to throw in the towel and give up. But successful people use failure as stepping stones to climb out of their troubles. Understanding their struggles will boost your motivation when you are faced with failure.

Reflect on what went wrong and find solutions to the problem that caused the failure. Learn from your mistakes and do things differently next time. Draw inspiration from people who failed many times but eventually achieved their dreams.

Set SMART Goals and Develop Achievable Strategies

Business failure can be prevented, in part, by writing down your goals, which provides you clarity, making it easier to achieve those goals. Using the SMART goal-setting method can keep you focused:

• Specific: State what you want to accomplish.
• Measurable: What results do you want to see? Break them down into easy steps.
• Achievable: Are your goals realistic? Make sure you have the time and resources to make them a reality.
• Relevant: Your objectives should line up with what you’re trying to accomplish for your business.
• Timely: Set a deadline and stick to it.

Next, develop a plan to put your SMART goals into action. Answer these questions to get ahead:

• What are the steps you will need to take?
• What are the time frames for each of those steps?
• Who will help you?

Consult an Advisor or Mentor

A business mentor or advisor can guide you, allowing you to draw from their pool of knowledge and personal experiences to help your business grow. According to a survey carried out by Sage, 93% of medium-sized businesses credited their mentors for helping their businesses succeed.

It’s tough running a business alone. Entrepreneurs need encouragement, guidance, and reassurance when faced with problems. Mentors have been in similar situations, and they know how to help you. They’ll share valuable advice, give you constructive feedback, and connect you with the right people.

Take Sensible Risks

Taking a sensible business risk is not gambling blindly without considering the consequences. Think carefully, weigh the options, and test them out.

For example, let's say you want to try a new marketing strategy that costs 20% more than your usual campaign. Test it out first by doing a sample run with a smaller investment. If it’s successful, pour more money into this new strategy.

Don’t take risks when your emotions are running high. Be objective, and discuss your plans with colleagues, friends, or family. At the end of the day, you’ll have to take sensible risks and step out of your comfort zone with your business. But before you do, make the most of your wisdom, knowledge, and experience.

The Bottom Line

Having a failing business doesn’t mean it’s the end of the road. You will encounter obstacles along the way, but you will also find ways to overcome those obstacles. Someone somewhere has gone through the same trials you face. Learn from their stories and use your own story as a lesson for improvement and business success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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