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5 Ways for your Startup to Overcome Massive Failure

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It’s often very easy to talk about success but talking about failure can be a lot harder. I recently caught up with an expert in the topic, Dave Nelson. Only a few years ago Dave was broke and in debt, now he is one of the most well-known people in the Australian Network Marketing Industry. So much so, that he has recently released a book called “The New Era of Network Marketing,” which he sees as his biggest personal win. Whilst being in his twenties and driving a Ferrari every day, Dave still remains humble and really wants to share his knowledge.

Whether you believe in Network Marketing or not, it doesn’t really matter, what matters is that it’s an entrepreneurial journey and one of the hardest. When you pick a really hard industry to get into, like network marketing, it’s even easier to fail. There is no money down to join so it becomes “easy in, easy out”. The difference is if you spent $50,000 to get into something then you probably won’t quit as easy.

Dave see’s his biggest failure as having sales in his business go on a downward spiral, even after spending money on marketing and still seeing zero return. He turned this around by doubling his team’s weekly sales in a couple of months, which became the highest point in his business to date. In order to achieve this phenomenal result, Dave’s team believed that “mastery lies in the basics”.

The standards of their basic actions were all over the place initially. It wasn’t about releasing more product lines or a new marketing campaign; it was about raising their standards and doing all the little one percenters.

What is failure?

Failure is quitting. Failure is when something is over, you have quite and you have actually gone under. Perceived failure is where we make the mistake. We often think we are failing when we are not.

Below are Dave’s five ways for your startup to overcome failure.

1. It’s not hard it’s just you thought it was going to be easy

Dave spent about $15,000 starting his own juice delivery business, which failed. He ended up with a large number of empty water bottles sitting at his house as well as all the council permits that never got used. He eventually ran out of money and didn’t have any sales coming in so he closed the business. The big lesson that Dave learnt from this early on was that he hadn’t anticipated how much hard work was actually required. Often this can be the biggest mistake for founders who haven’t done a business before.

No startup has ever had an upward curve every month. There’s failure’s every month in some aspect whether it’s retention, new orders or a marketing campaign that doesn’t work. There are thousands of mini failures; you need to look for the lesson within the failure so you can grow from it. This is what will build a strong platform and strong startup. Grant Cardone says, “it’s not that business is ten times harder than what people think, it’s that entrepreneurs think it’s going to be ten times easier than it really is”.

What is so great about failure is that you get stronger with every failure you go through. When you go to the gym and you try and lift heavy weight you usually fail the first time and it really hurts. When you consistently keep trying to lift the same weight, eventually your body stops hurting and you can start looking to lift heavier again.

“A great idea is not enough; you must dedicate the time and energy to it.”

One of the most frustrating things in business is to have a consistent plateau. To overcome this, you have to try and stay positive and find where the glitch is in your own system is. From here you obviously need to fix it before you can move on from the failure. If you’re an entrepreneur that does a lot of reading (and you should be) then you would have read plenty of stories of entrepreneur’s and even successful millionaires, failing multiple times.

There are so many Virgin marketing campaigns that you’ve never even heard about, but it takes all of that failure to have a few that work. Keeping this in mind is what helps keep you positive. If you’re not consciously aware of this then it’s easy to get down and get stuck in a rut.

2. Pay no attention to the Naysayers

Fear of judgement is one of the great fears of the human existence. All entrepreneurs have been judged by the naysayers and the critics at some point in their journey. Often these people judge you because your success can highlight their failures and so in turn, they want to see you fail. Understand that this is the dark side of humanity and that it’s normal. You can’t be in control of this you just have to be in control of what you do.

Even if you’re onto your third failed startup you should keep going as long as the desire is still there. The average millionaire has gone through eleven different failures, so if you really want it and it’s in your blood, you should go for it! The only real question though is how long do you keep going on the same venture until you move onto the next one? Only you will know when the time is right but don’t quit too early because a lot of entrepreneurs quit just before they are about to hit momentum and then they never get the reward.

Once you’re an entrepreneur there is no going back. For you to go from being an entrepreneur, back to a day job, would be like prison on earth, so keep persisting.

“Sylvester Stallone was an overnight success in 20 years.”

3. Use Personal development, you’re not god

Stories from biographies or leadership experts like Tony Robbins and Robin Sharma help to give you a new perspective. Without self-development, sometimes your perspective is your failure. If you have read the books and you know that everyone has been through it, then now you have a path to follow because someone else has already paved the way. Personal development really helps with your beliefs; putting things in a positive perspective, dealing with problems and helping you manage your emotional state.

You would have to be very godly to make it to the top without a lot of help along the way whether that’s a book, a mentor, seminars, audiobooks or Youtube videos. This is why people are developing so fast these days because we have so much access to these resources. Thanks to platforms like Youtube, you can now watch the most successful people on the planet and the way they use speech and body language. Once you have watched a few videos you can then mirror these traits yourself, for free.

4. Understand the entrepreneurial traits and mindset you need to win

Your character has to be unyielding, you have to be so strong because it’s hard to be confident and push through the mud when things are not going well but this is the true test of your character. Dave also says “back in the 1500’s you had to be physically a warrior to survive but today the battle is all in the mind”.

A good way to describe how you need to be is “compassionately ruthless” and relentless. You still need to care about people, but you have to be so strong because only the mentally tough will survive. Don’t dwell on things and self-condemn, as this will only cause you to be down on yourself.

The ones that think outside the box, question normality, don’t follow the herd and were even a little bit crazy at school often end up becoming excellent entrepreneurs. Usually, the ones that aren’t a bit crazy tend to quit. All of these traits are great, but you still must be hardworking.

If these traits sound like you and you’re not an entrepreneur, maybe its time for a career change?

Everyone’s failed and it’s in everyone’s story. What you will generally find is that the failures will often create the success because the failure creates such a void in their life; so then they have an extra drive to be successful. Sometimes the failure and poverty can actually be your best friend and so many successful people and startups come from this place.

5. Make sure you manage your state and learn to deal with fear

From the start of your journey into the business world, you often come in with no emotional strength but then as you experience the failure you start to build it.

Understand that fear, hesitation and thoughts of quitting are very normal. Your state management as an entrepreneur, which includes your charisma, energy and confidence, is very important to turn on even if you’re failing. If you don’t turn these on then your actions become a reaction of your result. This means every time you have a down in your business your energy is not going to be where it needs to be. Be very aware of your state management and stay positive no matter what.

Our world is based on duality (cause and effect) and if your effect is failure then there is some action occurring in your startup that needs to change. Within every failure, there is a lesson to be had and a chance to see where you can improve in your business.

“The only difference between the winners and the losers is that the winners just keep going even though they have the same fear.”

Dave’s Favourite story of Success

Everyone assumes with Richard Branson that everything he touches turns to gold. A lot of the businesses Virgin has done have failed badly yet most people don’t realise it. If more people knew this then they would survive longer in the business world, not get so down on themselves and try more things. Generally, a lot of us only see people’s successes and this needs to be something that we become more aware of

If you would like to hear more from Dave Nelson then visit davenelson.tv or read his book The New Era of Network Marketing

Aussie Blogger with 500M+ views — Writer for CNBC & Business Insider. Inspiring the world through Personal Development and Entrepreneurship You can connect with Tim through his website www.timdenning.com

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Startups

5 Strategic Power Moves to Successfully Build Your Empire

Transitioning from idea to empire is a journey of strategic planning, execution, and constant evolution

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how to build your empire

The journey from a fledgling idea to a thriving empire is both exhilarating and daunting. The Startup Launchpad is not just a process but also a strategic framework that enables visionary entrepreneurs to become market leaders. This framework comprises five power moves, each a critical steppingstone in building a successful business.

These moves—Ideation, Business Plan, Online Presence, Strategic Marketing, and Launch and Growth—are the blueprint for turning aspirations into achievements. (more…)

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Startups

How to Avoid Startup Clichés and Buzzwords When Pitching Investors

Using jargon can make you sound like you’re trying to fill space instead of providing meaningful data

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How to pitch investors better

Entrepreneurs frequently seek startup funding through a variety of channels. Yet, none seem as challenging as successfully pitching to experienced investors. After all, investors are pressed for time and eager for opportunities. These characteristics make it challenging to motivate them, especially if you’re bombarding them with a pitch full of jargon. (more…)

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From Idea to Empire: 5 Power Moves for Your Startup to Thrive in Today’s Market

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that understanding market dynamics and choosing the right business model are crucial

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How to thrive in the startup market in 2024

As an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that understanding market dynamics and choosing the right business model are crucial.

A few months into the startup, I was quick to gauge why it is necessary to go beyond the nuances of operational efficiency and the art of sustaining a business amid growing competition.

Collaboration is key.

The HR and the recruiting teams work with departments to foster a culture of collaboration, but what’s indispensable to business performance is the sync between the marketing and sales teams. What we’d consider as entrepreneurs is the need to ensure seamless collaboration to predict and achieve business goals together. In turn, this will help secure long-term recurring revenue for the business.

Besides, entrepreneurs need to focus on revenue as they gear up to take their startup from $0 to $1 million. The journey is filled with critical decisions, from identifying your target customer base to choosing the right funding strategy.

So, what next?

Read on… because here are five practical, results-driven strategies that you as a founder can implement to make a mark in their industry.

#1. Embrace the Lean Methodology

What is lean methodology?

It is all about pivoting resources to create more value for customers with fewer resources. 

This principle encourages you to be more agile and allow rapid iteration based on customer feedback rather than spending years perfecting a product before it hits the market.

Want to implement it?

Here’s what you can do.

Build “Measure-Learn” Loop: What I did was develop a minimum viable product (MVP), a simple version of the product. You can do the same since it allows you to start the learning process as quickly as possible. After launching MVP, measure how customers use it and learn from their behaviors and feedback.

Here’s what I can recommend here:

  • Identify the core features that solve your customers’ primary needs and focus solely on those to develop your MVP.
  • Know the feedback channels where early users can communicate their experiences, suggestions, and complaints.
  • Analyze user behavior and feedback to make informed product development and iteration decisions.

#2. Focus on Customer Development

Let’s talk about taking our startup to the next level. 

It’s not just about getting customers – it’s about really getting to know them. We need to dive into their world, understand their struggles, and see how our product or service can make a difference in their lives. 

It’s like we’re detectives, piecing together the puzzle of our business hypothesis by actually chatting with our customers

What would you ideally do here?

Understand Customer Segments: I’d say, start dividing your target market into segments and develop a deep understanding of each segment’s demographics, behaviors, needs, and pain points. The idea is to get into their shoes and really feel what they feel.

Ensure your Product Clicks: When starting up, think of what you offer and consider whether it clicks with what our customers need. My thought was “Does my product solve their problems? Does it make their day better?” Put yourself through a tough grilling session to show customers the value proposition and ensure that the product’s promise matches what our customers are looking for.

I’d recommend the following actions here:

  • Talk to them – through surveys, interviews, or even casual chats. The goal? To gather real, raw insights about what they need and expect.
  • Use the collected data to create detailed profiles for each type of customer. This way, everyone on our team really understood we were serving. I think this should help your startup as well.
  • Try out different versions of our product with a few customer groups. It’s all about feedback here – understanding if you’re hitting the mark or if we need to pivot.

#3. Foster a Data-Driven Culture

The digital world is highly data driven since it fuels key decisions in a startup. 

I believe it’s essential for us to build a data-driven culture. This means, you’ll move from making decisions based on hunches or assumptions. Instead, the focus should be on data analytics and insights to guide our strategies and improve our outcomes.

What can you do?

Use Data Analytics Tools: You should be using these tools to gather, analyze, and interpret data related to customer behavior, market trends, and our business operations. Here, consider the adoption of pipeline forecasting that leverages AI to find patterns in marketing data. 

In turn, you’ll get areas for improvement since it can analyze historical data and predict the outcome for you to plan your.

Action Items:

  • Pinpoint key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your business objectives and ensure they are measurable and actionable.
  • Next, you can consider training your team to understand and use data analytics tools. This might involve workshops or bringing in experts to build a data-savvy workforce.
  • Once everything is in place, regularly review data reports and dashboards. This gives us a clear picture of a startup’s health and helps adjust your strategies and predict future trends.

#4. Strengthen Your Financial Acumen

A good grip on financial skills is important to steer your business towards growth and making sure it stays on track. For this, you’ll have to understand the money side of things, which helps you manage your cash flow. Think of figuring out smart investment moves and sizing up any risks that come your way.

Here’s a tip on how you can get savvy with your finances.

Maintain Rigorous Financial Discipline: I’m really focused on cultivating a strong company culture, one that truly resonates with our mission. So, I’d suggest fostering open communication and encouraging a sense of ownership and collaboration among everyone in the team.

Action Items:

  • Get to know your financial statements inside out – I’m talking about the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. These are like the vital signs for your business’s financial health
  • Use financial forecasting that helps predict your future money moves. With this, you will have a heads-up on upcoming revenues, expenses, and how much cash you’ll need. Also, research on the available financial forecasting tools that can make predictions spot-on.
  • Don’t go at it alone. Regularly touch base with financial advisors or mentors. With them by your side, you’ll have a fresh perspective on your financial strategies to ensure you’re on the right path to hit your business goals.

5. Prioritize Team Building and Leadership Development

It is crucial to focus on building a solid team and developing strong leaders. This means putting our resources into the people who are going to propel our company forward. 

What you’ll aim for here?

Creating a culture where everyone collaborates and every team member has the chance to emerge as a leader.

What I would do:

Cultivate a Strong Company Culture: This culture should mirror our mission and foster open communication. It’s important that it encourages everyone to feel a sense of ownership and work together.

Invest in Leadership and Team Development: As founders, we’ll have to make way for opportunities for teams to enhance their skills, face new challenges, and grow in their careers.

Some concrete steps that you should consider taking:

  • Begin with clearly communicating your startup’s vision, mission, and values so that every team member is on the same page.
  • Conduct regular team-building activities and workshops to boost skills and strengthen a sense of unity and collaboration.
  • How about starting a mentorship program within our organization? The more experienced team members could guide and support the growth of newer or less experienced folks.
  • Alas… encourage feedback at all levels. We should keep striving to create an environment where open, honest communication is the norm and everyone feels safe to speak up.

I know it’s one thing to get your head around these ideas and quite another to actually make them a part of your everyday business life. But that’s where the real magic happens, right? It’s all in the doing. 

As a startup founder, this means more than just being a big dreamer. How about rolling up your sleeves to be the planner who pays attention to the smallest details. Ultimately, these tips and more tactics around it will help carve a leader in you who listens and cares and the learner who’s always ready to adapt

So, as you’re either starting out or moving forward on this entrepreneurial adventure, keep these practical tips right there.

May these be your guiding lights, helping you steer through the wild and exciting world of building a startup that’s not just a dream, but a thriving reality.

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12 Things I Learned in 12 Months of Working on My Startup

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Image Credit: Unsplash

A few weeks ago I launched my startup. It took exactly 12 months from the initial idea until the moment I saw my app in the App Store. And these were some of the most challenging, fun and exciting 12 months of my whole life. (more…)

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