Much goes into successfully starting a business. Even if you’ve done it before, it can be difficult to remember everything unless you’ve got a checklist to work with. I’ve created a small list of MUST do things to keep in mind along with a few links to posts that will give you more info.
Decide what business to start
- What will you sell, rent out, lend out etc
- Who will buy it, for how much and how frequently?
- Can you make a profit?
Related posts:
How to choose the right business to start – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/how-to-choose-the-right-business-for-you/
Get your Company registered
- Create a corporate bank account
- Sort out Tax Clearance with ZIMRA
- Do you need VAT?
- Special License, certificate or clearance required?
- Related Posts:
- The requirements for getting registered in Zimbabwe – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/requirements-for-company-formation-in-zimbabwe/
- Common company registration mistakes – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/10-company-formation-mistakes-zimbabwean-business-people-make/
- What you need to know to register a business – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/company-registration-zimbabwe-business-setup/
Sort out your business contacts
- Physical address
- Phone number
- Fax number
- P. O. Box number
- Email addresses.
- Mobile numbers
Related Posts:
Don’t be a briefcase businessman – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/dont-be-a-briefcase-businessman-7-tips/
Write a business plan
- How will you fund your business?
- What opportunity are you seizing?
- What hunger are you satisfying?
- How will your reach and convince the market?
- How will you compete effectively?
Related Posts:
- How to write a business for your Zimbabwean business – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/business-plan-zimbabwe/
- Strategic thinking in business – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/buiness-marketing-strategic-vs-tactical-thinking/
Design your brand and communication pieces based on a business marketing strategy
- Get logo designed
- Design correspondence/ communication pieces (business cards, letter heads, compliment slips)
- Design transaction forms (Invoices, quotations, receipts, order forms etc)
Related Posts:
Warning About Logo design – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/warning-before-you-get-your-logo-designed-in-zimbabwe/
Why your business cards stink – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/why-your-business-cards-stink-what-to-do-about-it/
Create marketing material
- Website designed
- Direct mail?
- Fliers?
- Newspaper advertising
- Word of mouth
- Email marketing?
- SMS advertising?
- Sales people?
Related Posts
See 29 marketing ideas here – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/29-marketing-ideas-for-zimbabwe%E2%80%99s-marketing-myopia/
12 Reasons You Need A Website – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/12-reasons-your-zimbabwe-business-needs-a-website/
Why you can’t afford to ignore internet marketing – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/why-internet-marketing-is-better/
Is your cash management system in place?
- What fixed expenses will you need to manage?
- Which once off costs are necessary
- What unforeseen costs?
- How will you ensure your money grows the business
- How will you ensure money doesn’t disappear?
Related Posts
Start a business without money – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/how-to-start-a-business-without-money/
Cash Baron Secrets – https://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/cash-baron-secrets/
Is your human resources strategy in place?
- How will you find, hire, train, equip, compensate and retain the right people for your business?
- Which positions should you start with?
- What responsibilities will they have
- How will you measure, manage and ensure performance?
Now there certain things that aren’t in this list – mostly things that are industry specific or only apply to certain types of businesses. Nonetheless, i hope this helps!
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Max Soutter 
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