What does it mean to mean business?
If you’re in a personal context, it’s about being determined to reach your goals and doing everything you can to get closer to your objectives. In a professional environment, the same definition can be used to refer to the processes and strategies you choose for your company. Indeed, for an entrepreneur, keeping your business on the market and in a position to attract new customers and employees is all it takes to fulfill your professional responsibility. When you mean business, you ensure that your company is equipped to tackle the challenges that can occur in the workplace or the market.
A workplace that means business
Your workplace needs to be a place where your employees can work safely and effectively. Your first priority is to provide each employee with the business gear they need, from standard laptops to specialized tools and devices – depending on experts and roles. It doesn’t take long to understand that if you don’t give your staff what they need to work, you can’t expect them to be productive. That’s why it’s not uncommon for startups and tech businesses to take a commercial loan when acquiring the workplace equipment.
Additionally, the equipment is only one element of a successful workplace. A team that feels safe in your premises is a team that can focus on being productive. Health & Safety regulations are often mocked by small entrepreneurs who judge them useless, but they are essential to the safety of your company. Don’t be fooled, however, to believe that H&S only concern loose cables and emergency exit routes. Sanitary hygiene, such as ensuring through commercial drainage that your staff is not exposed to stagnant water after a flooding incident, or keeping employees’ bathrooms clean, are also the responsibility of the business owner. Additionally, exposing your employee to unnecessary risk through the absence of a security system could be perceived by a tribunal as a failure to provide a safe workplace. In short, providing your team with a place where they can work and meet your business objectives is the first factor of success.
A digital presence that supports your commerce
There is no modern business without a digital presence. Indeed, when most customers look online for their next provider or suppliers, it’s fair to say that you can’t survive without a digital presence. If you want your company to grow, you need to start by creating a professional looking website. Start by purchasing a domain name and organizing a hosting agreement to ensure your presence is safe. For the purchase of regular content, you need to have a blog. Companies and especially creative businesses that publish fresh content regularly tend to attract new visitors and build a loyal audience group.
Do you have an offline presence?
So, you’ve got a website, but what about your IRL presence? Networking with same-minded entrepreneurs and visiting trade shows can help you to establish a professional one-to-one contact with potential investors, clients or partners.
It’s the only the combination of a trustworthy workplace, robust digital presence and beneficial offline networking that can give your company the broad spectrum it needs to thrive. A company that means business looks after its employees, its digital customers and its face-to-face contacts.
