Modern Business Magazine July 2016 | Page 16

MODERN START-UPS 5 things you must do within your first year in business to succeed By Alan Manly T he first twelve months in business is the best time to refine habits that will lead to your long term success. Celebrating the success of the startup’s launch should be followed by an awareness that not only will this time be exciting but the opportunity you sought to go out on your own and be successful must not be wasted. Don’t wait for a year to see the results. Review your businesses success after the first three months and then in an ongoing 16 ModernBusiness July 2016 manner. The trends will always be there to indicate what needs immediate focus. Don’t forget that not only is the business a “startup”, so too is any entrepreneur when running a new venture. So, how can you ensure survival after the first year? Here’s 5 bits of advice: KEEP NETWORKING Your new status as an entrepreneur walking the walk will give you new found gravitas. Some may have seen you as more talk than walk. Now others with experience will take you more seriously. Exploit this opportunity to talk to those who you think could give you some advice. Ask them broad questions about paying tax for instance. Always get conversations going. These conversations with your new “fellow travellers” should lead to further discussions that will allow you to tap into their years of experience. Further opportunities open when, as