3 tips to help startups overcome the turbulent early stages

When operating a startup, the idea that the strategy has been set will disappoint you as a false fear. This fact is also true for fear that your idea will fail or that you cannot pursue it to bring development forward.

When I opened the company in 2006, I wrote a business plan. I designed the retail operation process, ready to enforce it, and outlined the results that I could get.

However, things didn't go well.

No one told me that the system I built didn't work that way. I set up and did it myself. I thought that failure was due to irrational planning and design.

Unable to give up midway, I began to listen to customer feedback. I connect with them more deeply and create a list of actions to give them what they want, although sometimes I think those wishes are ridiculous.

In the first 4 years, every month I feel like my business is not going anywhere.

The retail software system does not meet what we expect. We also do not have enough staff to serve our customers.

The recruitment and training process is very time-consuming, while the accounting and customer care department is also ineffective.

Honestly, many times I feel like things are slowly slipping out of my hands.

Businesses that want to succeed must experience challenges to break down the sluggishness. Each challenge gives you a chance to improve and grow.

The first phase of a startup is an extremely tough stage, with many obstacles and possible, what you have envisioned completely contrary to reality. However, if you have enough faith and bravery, you will overcome it.

Here are 3 tips to help you "survive" in the early stages of your dream of starting a business.

1. Clearing between things that are not feasible and things that need priority

Categorize things that you cannot do or cannot become real. Also, specify the priorities and process them first.

Knowing the difficulties that will be faced and then creating a list of actionable solutions to solving problems is the deciding factor that helps you stand firm.

Be flexible, apply a "try - wrong" method and don't wait for the perfect time, "light will appear at the end of the tunnel".

2. Keep money

Don't spend a lot of money on things that you think eventually will have to stop and don't pay for all the solutions.

In fact, there is no "magic" solution that can eliminate the uncomfortable feeling in this tough, early stage. Instead, you should build some suitable tactics and implement them within the budget so that the company can continue to maintain flexibility and meet the needs of customers.

3. Document the vision for the future of startups

Every day, spend 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening before going to bed to draw your vision of the company in the future.

The important thing here is to draw the perspective of startup, especially in the first 5 years after being on the market. If you let the mess, the minutiae and emotions overwhelm, your creativity will be reduced.

Visualizing a bigger picture of the company's future will also help you manage time more effectively so you no longer waste energy on things that are too small and unnecessary.

If you think that business is good, understand that problems never know. They still exist at some stage in the system that you haven't discovered yet. However, as long as you are flexible and responsive, everything is manageable.