Entrepreneurial success

Entrepreneurship is the new IT,  It is where everyone is making money !  Right ?  Dead  wrong !

Speaking from a South African perspective and especially looking at the high unemployment rate and the hype of "Start your own business !" a lot of people are doing just that.   

The challenge ( please note I am not saying problem) is that 99%+ have no cooking clue how to go about it.

The Solution ?  Get a consultant - Yuk - I hate the word and the species !  My biggest issue with consultants are the following (potential Entrepreneurs take note) :

When considering to make use of a consultant the following needs to be clarified and the problem is they normally are very vague and will not give you a direct answer

1.  What are their qualifications? 

2.  What are their claim to fame ? Why should you use them?

3.  What service do they render - really render ?

4.  How do they expect to be paid for their services?

Never accept any of the following :

1. Payment upfront before anything is done

2. Cost structures that are not linked to performance

3. Claim to fame being : I am linked to.......Robert...........Warren......whatever. Claim to fame is what have you done that moved the bottom line or what do you plan to move the bottom line.

 Here is a scenario you could look at when you are starting a new business:

Do your homework.  Attend a short course in basic Entrepreneurship that does not cost you an arm and a leg.  These courses are normally not accredited anywhere ( They are not required to be ) but you should know by the 2nd hour in the course that what you are learning here today is WOW!  ( Our own course is a 5 day hands on course where you can walk away anytime if you are not getting value for your money and we will gladly refund you- That is putting our money where our mouths are!) 

If you consider appointing a consultant their remuneration should be performance based :

Set up the company 

Here is a working model :

You and your partners ( the shareholders) create the business by registering a company. If you already have a close corporation change it to a company.

The partners normally fulfill the role of executive directors - Do this only when everyone is involved in the business 24/7.  Appoint at least one none exec director , preferable as marketing director.  Get a marketing expert in this position and remunerate him based on performance.  (We are available tot fill these positions and our remuneration is always based on performance).

I am writing this article this morning for the simple reason that in the past 24 hours I have had 2 invites from 

Specialist consultants offer to coach me in making my business a huge success. Both want exorbitant up front fees with no guarantee of success.    This just make me see red ( and teaches me to swear)

Should you consider your own business a chat with me could just be the thing to point you in the right direction !

John   082 222 5002  (00822225002)   Skype johnbrandowcenturion.  email  john@brandow.co.za