Featured Franchises
CityLocal
Primary industry: Local Internet Directory
Minimum investment level: £9,950
Primary industry: Local Internet Directory
Minimum investment level: £9,950
Countrywide Signs
Primary industry: Estate Agency Sign Management
Minimum investment level: £10,000
Primary industry: Estate Agency Sign Management
Minimum investment level: £10,000
Xpoze
Primary industry: Internet
Minimum investment level: £1,000
Primary industry: Internet
Minimum investment level: £1,000
Fastsigns
Primary industry: signs and graphics
Minimum investment level: £35,000
Primary industry: signs and graphics
Minimum investment level: £35,000
IRUN Solutions Ltd
Primary industry: Business Development
Minimum investment level: £3,500
Primary industry: Business Development
Minimum investment level: £3,500
Molly Maid UK Ltd
Primary industry: Professional Domestic Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £16,975
Primary industry: Professional Domestic Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £16,975
Antal International Network
Primary industry: Recruitment
Minimum investment level: £5,000
Primary industry: Recruitment
Minimum investment level: £5,000
Monk Marketing Franchising
Primary industry: Promotional Merchandise
Minimum investment level: £19,995
Primary industry: Promotional Merchandise
Minimum investment level: £19,995
Virtual 360
Primary industry: Virtual Tours
Minimum investment level: £5,000
Primary industry: Virtual Tours
Minimum investment level: £5,000
Dream Doors
Primary industry: Home Improvement
Minimum investment level: £30,000
Primary industry: Home Improvement
Minimum investment level: £30,000
Mystic Charms
Primary industry: Party Plan, Online Sales
Minimum investment level: £35
Primary industry: Party Plan, Online Sales
Minimum investment level: £35
Ultra IT SL
Primary industry: Websites, software and mobile apps for estate agents
Minimum investment level: £5,000
Primary industry: Websites, software and mobile apps for estate agents
Minimum investment level: £5,000
The Funding Operation Franchise
Primary industry: Loans / Finance
Minimum investment level: £3,495
Primary industry: Loans / Finance
Minimum investment level: £3,495
Synergy Solar
Primary industry: Renewable Energy
Minimum investment level: £14,000
Primary industry: Renewable Energy
Minimum investment level: £14,000
Rosemary Bookkeeping
Primary industry: Bookkeeping
Minimum investment level: £12,970
Primary industry: Bookkeeping
Minimum investment level: £12,970
Ovenclean
Primary industry: Cleaning Services
Minimum investment level: £16,995
Primary industry: Cleaning Services
Minimum investment level: £16,995
9 Common Mistakes Small Business Owners Make
1) Something for Nothing
This is the biggest mistake that I have found with new entrepreneurs. Nobody gets something for nothing unless they are extremely fortunate or win the lottery. Even the likes of Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Anita Roddick only made it to the top because they were prepared to commit fully to their business idea.
2) Price and Competitiveness
Customers do not always buy purely because of price. In fact if the prices are too low, customers might assume that the product or service is inferior and buy elsewhere. One way to counter the price argument is to have a regular price increase in the pipeline if you have a unique selling proposition.
3) Proper Systems
If anything needs to be done more than once it should be systemised. I have found that the most successful business owners are also often the laziest! They can not stand doing repetitive tasks and find a way to do them quicker and more efficiently.
4) Delegation
Every single simple task in the company should be delegated so that the business owner can focus on the bigger picture. It is impossible to focus on ideas and innovation when the small business owner is driving a forklift or checking a delivery!
5) Outside Help
Once a business reaches a certain size, then it is crucial to source expert help in the areas of expertise that are lacking within the business. Expertise in any single field comes through a life time of dedication and it is impossible for one person to be an expert at everything.
6) Lack of Planning
Short term and long term goals might not always work out, but usually the businesses that have them tend to fare better than the ones that don't. It is amazing what one can uncover when examining every possible eventuality.
7) Wasted Emotions
It is a sad fact of life that business owners that let emotions ruin their working day tend to do badly in the long term. People that can switch their emotions off during working hours stand a much better chance of reaching their long term business goals. Anger, revenge, love, hatred and bitterness have no place in the business world... unless you are J.R. Ewing!
8) Gamblers Anonymous
Business people that have a habit of risking everything on one deal will find that one day Lady Luck lets them down. It is far better to spread the risk as the business grows. Ultimately a business venture might present a fantastic opportunity that demands total commitment of financial resources but this should not happen regularly.
9) Health is Wealth
It is next to impossible to run a business from a coffin. It is possible to burn the candles at both ends but only for a few years. Sooner or later aches and pains will detrimentally affect the ability to work productively.
This list is by no means comprehensive but it does highlight the areas that I have constantly struggled with and am determined to conquer.
Nazir Daud is the founder of CityLocal. This Business & Franchise Opportunity is for people who would like to work from home and be their own boss.
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