Explanation:
1. Study the competition.
As an entrepreneur, you need to know who your competitors are. You also should understand the rival product or service that is being offering.
This knowledge will help you better market your product or service to stand out, perhaps even using your competition’s weaknesses to your advantage
2. Conserve cash no matter how good business
Entrepreneurs should be as conservative with their money as possible to be able to deal with any rough patch that arises. Conserving several months' worth of operating expenses in the bank will help you survive most unforeseen circumstances.
3. Research new products and services.
Understand emerging products or services on the horizon that could improve your company's operations.
4. Don’t tackle huge markets at first.
Avoid expanding into large markets in the initial stages. Thinking “if we can capture just 1 percent of China” could turn into a mistake. Niche marketing can be extremely cost effective if you keep three things in mind:
Meet the market’s unique needs by offering something new and compelling.
Speak the market’s language and understand its hot buttons.
Your language should be in synch with that niche even for the minor aspects of a marketing campaign like the company's slogan.
5. Listen to customer feedback and adapt.
Salespeople know the adage "always be closing," referred to by the acronym ABC. Entrepreneurs have an acronym, too: Always be adapting, or ABA.
But entrepreneurs can evolve their business only when they're listening to customer feedback. It may not mean much if one customer doesn’t like your product but if this is true for many of them and they're requesting another feature, listen and be ready to adapt.
Whether you're adapting your marketing plan, simplifying a product or responding to new trends, pay attention to customer feedback. Be all ears
6. Respond to change.
In business change is inevitable and those capable of responding are flexible and versatile.
An entrepreneur must be prepared to accept change and adapt business operations accordingly. Be flexible. If a shift in your product or service is warranted, don't be left behind. Realize from the start that where you are is likely not to be where you’ll end up. A lack of adaptability can result in loss in customers, profits and even business failure.
As an entrepreneur, understand that the world is evolving rapidly. Even a company founded a year ago could change the world today.
