Home
>
Small Business
>
How to Avoid the Most Common Reasons for Small Business Failure

How to Avoid the Most Common Reasons for Small Business Failure

The life cycle of the typical small business is short and painful. It starts out with a dream and ends with a whimper. And in between, a struggle of Herculean proportions is played out as the owner tries to figure out why the business isn't succeeding.

Depending on which survey you read, up to 80% of small businesses fail. Most fail within the first five years and those who survive the first five are often losing money. Pursuing a career in small business ownership seems like a fool's footpath straight to failure and poverty.

So, what is the difference between the 80% that fail and the 20% that succeed? When you examine the reasons that cause business failures, you begin to understand that most business failures are preventable. The major missing ingredient is knowledge. Business owners who get expert help before they open a business have a much greater chance of succeeding. Business owners who get expert help as their businesses grow and change succeed more quickly with fewer speed bumps along the way.

Why do businesses fail? A study published by Jessie Hagen of U.S. Bank gives the details of the top reasons for failure:

General Business Factors

? 78% - Lack of a well-developed business plan, including insufficient research on the business before starting it.

? 73% Being overly optimistic about achievable sales, money required and about what needs to be done to be successful.

? 70% Not recognizing, or ignoring, what they don't do well and not seeking help from those who do.

? 63% Insufficient relevant and applicable business experience.

Financial Factors

? 82% Poor cash flow management skills/poor understanding of cash flow

? 79% Starting out with too little money.

? 77% Not pricing properly - failure to include all necessary items when setting prices

Marketing Factors

? 64% Minimizing the importance of promoting the business properly.

? 55% Not understanding who your competition is or ignoring competition.

? 47% Too much focus and reliance on one customer/client.

Human Resource Factors

? 58% Inability to delegate properly - micro-managing work given to others or over delegating and abdicating important management responsibilities.

? 56% Hiring the wrong people - clones of themselves and not people with complimentary skills, or hiring friends and relatives.

To get your own business on the right side of the 80/20 split, assess your business to see if any of these Failure Flags exist. Then, systematically eliminate them. And if you don't have all the skills you need, hire an expert to help you. The cost of having a professional on your team is far less than watching your business join the 80% club.

Caroline Jordan is a small business coach and mentor working with small business owners to conquer the skill gaps that prevent success. For a free special report called Seven Secrets for Small Business Success visit http://www.thejordanresult.com. Get Knowledge. Get Focus. Get Results.

pet-friendly home cleaners Glenview ...

In The News:

WIM-Z's AI dog training robot uses on-device processing to detect barking and dispense treats autonomously, with field trials showing up to 83% reduction.

Google's Threat Intelligence Group found PROMPTFLUX malware that uses Gemini to rewrite its own code every hour, raising urgent cybersecurity alarms.

Your VPN may quietly drop protection when switching between airport Wi-Fi and hotel Wi-Fi. Key settings like auto-connect and kill switch help.

A South Carolina caregiver allegedly gained power of attorney over a 75-year-old with Parkinson's, then transferred his home via quitclaim deed for $5.

Joby Aviation flew its eVTOL air taxi into DFW Airport's busy airspace as Texas launches Project Nexus, a three-year advanced air mobility program.

Federal prosecutors say criminals bought sponsored search ads mimicking real banks, capturing over 5,000 login credentials and draining accounts.

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric truck targets 621 miles per charge on a 28,000-mile round-the-world journey through over 30 countries.

A viral video shows roughly a dozen Coco Robotics delivery robots swarming a Chicago sidewalk near Lincoln Park, raising wheelchair access concerns.

NewTree Social founder Maddy O'Connor built a community events app to help people discover local gatherings, wellness events and run clubs nearby.

DoppelCart's 119,000 fake shopping domains steal credit card details at checkout, mimicking over 44,000 real brands with convincing cloned sites.

Hurricane charity scams use data brokers and people search sites to target victims before storms even hit, exploiting personal information..

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Autonomous race cars hit Laguna Seca and Imola Circuit at speeds topping 157 mph, but the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League faces a fan problem.

A LinkedIn romance scam cost Gaby close to $1 million after a scammer returned her first payment to build trust, then escalated requests over two years.

Safari's Notify Me can monitor websites for price changes and restocks, while new AI photo tools let you reframe and extend shots in iOS 27.

FLHSMV traced the Florida DMV breach to credentials from a Plant City Police Department user, but ShinyHunters claims over 200,000 driver records.

Tesla's Cybercab launched in Austin with no steering wheel or pedals, but hidden details about age limits and missing safety features may shock riders.

Moderna and Merck's Phase 3 melanoma vaccine trial showed positive results, but full data and FDA approval are still pending for the mRNA therapy.

Malwarebytes data reveals scam texts peak around noon ET with 874% higher volume than overnight, and Fridays bring roughly 50% more messages.

Over 5,400 legitimate websites now serve fake CAPTCHA scams that trick users into pasting malware commands into Windows Run via ClickFix attacks.

Tuya Smart's Doova AI home robot rolls to seniors who call for help and connects family via live video, but key privacy questions remain unanswered.

Jevon Martinez livestreamed himself removing 10 Flock Safety cameras in Bernalillo County, but authorities say eight belonged to neighborhood associations.

A dark web service called Nexus claimed to hold over 153 million driver's license records, and the FBI confirms it is now looking into the incident.

Asking Siri to call American Express connected an 82-year-old woman to a bogus number that nearly drained $100,000 from her Bank of America account.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.