You can never be too cautious when running a new business as there is always a degree of risk involved. Plus, driving your business to success can be like fighting an uphill battle; this is especially true for the Australian marketplace. 

Even though the global business ecosystem is thriving, the Australian business industry is notorious for being ruthless toward new and budding businesses. Many businesses fail to grasp a firm foothold in the industry and succumb to losses.

According to a report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, almost twenty percent of Australian startups fail in the initial year of their launch, with sixty percent going out of business within three years of launch. Furthermore, the onslaught of COVID-19 has served as an impediment to economic growth and slashed the revenue of Australian companies.

The reasons behind business failure

The statistics on business failure are anything but encouraging. The initial years after launch are the most critical years for any business. They shape the business vision, longevity, and profitability since only fifty percent of new companies can survive this phase. However, the challenges that threaten the survival of new businesses do not take rocket science to overcome. In fact, planning is the most crucial aspect of business survival.

Today we have compiled a list of challenges small and budding businesses face to help you navigate this turbulent industry. Continue reading to learn more!

1. Lack of working capital

The factors contributing to business failure can be mind-bogglingly complex or distressingly simple. One of the biggest reasons behind business failure is a lack of financial preparedness. Failure to plan and budget according to your cashflows can cost your business health. However, investing in a trusted financial planner can help you get a head start and stand the test of time. 

A strong financial foundation is critical for business success, especially for budding enterprises, as a lack of cash flow can ruin even the most lucrative business ideas. Financial constraints can bring your business activities to a halt if you lack the funds for your daily operations. Never underestimate the importance of planning and always consider your organizational needs while developing a business strategy.

 You’ll need a substantial amount of money to keep your firm running until it reaches a point where it can earn consistent profits. Alternatively, you can utilize fiscal benchmarking data to estimate the capital you’ll need to launch your company. Moreover, failing to plan can place you in a predicament when dealing with cash flow issues in your organization.

2. Poor market research

Conduct a thorough market analysis and do your homework on the market viability of your business idea before diving headfirst into launching it. Failing to understand the existing market dynamics and the potential of your product in an extensively competitive market is a significant reason why many new businesses fail before they even start. 

A superficial market analysis won’t take you anywhere, even if you target an existing market. Further research is necessary to thrive, such as determining the market size, knowing your competitors and their respective advantages, your unique selling proposition, and the demand for your product or service.

A comprehensive market study can point out the pain points of your target audience and how you can appeal to them with your product or service. You need to find out if anyone is as passionate as you about this product or service. Preliminary research can easily identify the market feasibility of your idea and if there exists a demand for such a product.

 Researching the market viability of your million-dollar idea before investing all your wealth into it can help you test and adapt it to the needs of real people and determine if the idea is worth investing in or not.

3. Ineffective business management

One of the most prevalent causes of new business failure is a lack of administrative business acumen. Many businesses run without a proper managerial team, especially during the initial years, as business owners heavily underestimate the importance of effective management. This is a pivotal contributor to Australia’s high percentage of company failure. If you believe you can handle all elements of your business operations, you cannot be more wrong! Running a successful business is a group effort, and you can’t be the jack of all trades when it comes to business. 

Outsourcing is not the solution you think; instead, investing in strong managerial resources from finance to HR and marketing can help you run your business smoothly. As an entrepreneur, you may know how to develop a successful product; however, on the flip side, you may lack the qualities to allocate your business resources and manage your employees effectively.

One of the first things a budding business need is a solid management team that can help it thrive in the long run. Plus, a clear understanding of the company’s processes, present, prospective workers, and goods or services is critical for business growth.

4. No focus on marketing needs

Today, marketing is considered the lifeblood of any new and budding business and is crucial for business success and growth. After all, without marketing, you can’t reach new audiences and drive conversions. Plus, without customers, there’s no business. Many small business owners fail to comprehend the importance of a good marketing strategy.

Before, businesses could get by just fine without proper marketing; however, that is no longer the case. Marketing is an indispensable asset for business success, especially in the initial years of business growth and development. 

You need to develop an adequate budget for present and future marketing needs, and marketing expenditure should be a substantial part of your overall business budget. You need to anticipate the marketing needs, such as the resources required to reach the target demographic and conduct conversion forecasts, among other KPIs. A lack of a marketing plan, unnecessary expenditure on non-functional resources, or not expanding efforts to promote your business is a foolproof recipe for disaster for any new business.

Conclusion

Running a business is not a small undertaking as it requires extensive planning and attention to detail. However, following a plan, establishing clear targets, and a technique to measure your business sustainability and productivity is a smart strategy to drive your business to success.

When planning to launch a new business, keep these four challenges in mind to navigate through fierce business competition. To sum it up, small company owners must devote time and effort to preparation and visibility to maintain a well-run operation that is readily available to clients.