The popularity of startups being taken for a ride has pushed me to tackle the issue a bit.
Not a week goes by without me being called or e-mailed for an advise on some decisions to be made, and most of the time the start-ups are being put under a very compromising positions and unfairly so. I am not going to reveal all the details here but just bit of my advices.
Being the beginner of anything in life is scary and that’s natural.
Ever seen how toddlers become so fearful when they start walking or stand on their own? They are shaky and doubtful to continue after first step but always eager to repeat their moves. Because we can’t walk on their behalf, we cheer them up, sing for them in motivation to continue with their new found journey of growing up. While they are doing it they fall, but they do not stop, they try again with joy and laughter.Now the same applies with Business.
It is understandable that as a start up you will find it difficult to resume providing your services, sometimes it is because of scarcity of resources, which is the most challenging thing facing many entrepreneurs. To a point where they find themselves confinding their situations or sharing their ideas to those that have been in the field before them and seem succeeding at it in hope of some assistance. Though it is a very good idea and sometimes advisable it has its own disadvantages.
Not everybody will be willing to help without getting anything in return. Some request an equal share of a certain portion in your Company, a share in profit, or whatever they will find suitable and convenient for them, whereas at times it’s just a mere advice you are seeking for. Instead of receiving the advice or guidance you are looking for from our experienced brothers and sisters, it does happen that it is not what you will always get. They will want more.
Some of them they even get extreme and threaten you of the failures you will meet without them. My fellow start up,my advise to you is that you do not ever find yourself compromising so much of yourself and business. Don’t fall for their intimidations and threats of failure, because they will make you feel it will be impossible without them, therefore you will see the only option is tagging them along in your projects.
Do not find yourself desperate for assistance especially from such selfish people. Be wise enough to recognise them and reject their favours before it even gets far. Do not be scared to fail, you shouldn’t even get threatened by the thought of it. Do know failure is part of the process. We learn, mature, grow through our own failures and no one should be allowed to take that experience away from you. They should not deprive the experience of failure because it will be no fun to celebrate your achievements.
I find the sole intentions of the selfish people as that you must always be dependant on them because they will keep on quoting and sort of imposing their failures to you and discourage you to not even attempt to try doing it the other way, it is always their way over yours. And because your confidence is also not so strong as you are a startup you will fall into that trap. Your whole faith will be in them.
I see it as a selfish act because they choose to overlook the fact that we are not all the same, we are blessed with different gifts and talents. What have been a failure to them does not automatically qualify to be a failure to you. You are easily deprived from discovering your own unique talents or gifts as some of important major gifts are found through failures.
The other thing you need to be careful of is being rushed to do something especially when it involves money, you must be allowed enough time to think things through before you take any decisions. Please do realise Entrepreneurship is a journey, it is a process, you are meant to discover lots of valuable lessons,therefore you should never be promised to get to it quicker. According to my own understanding entrepreneurship is a non ending journey, it is forever continuing, it evolves, it moves from phase to phase, the reason I will never understand why you should be rushed.
Many unnecessary and costly decisions are because of rushing to success. And at times some of the decisions unfortunately will leave you depressed, discouraged and demotivated.
And lastly get a Coach or a Mentor, those that are in business too.They will help you from making decisions and assist in planning. As a start up you are more likely to be clouded by too much information around you and that might end up confusing you, as not all information you hear is meant for you, the guidance of a Mentor or a Coach will help you.
Choose somebody who will work with you, someone who will be in support of your vision and is very clear of your goal. Not someone who is only looking for a paycheck from you.
Compiled by Dee, on behalf of Matsobanemetja Business Consulting – Coaching Division.
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