From little acorns huge oak trees grow. As true as that old saying is, it is based on the fact that nature has a habit of reminding us how powerful it is. And that power comes from simply following a process or a plan that works time and time again as long as the right criteria are there at the right time. If you are wondering how to start a business and be successful you too need to have a plan in place and follow the process of taking the actions necessary to not only start a business but to develop a profitable enterprise.

To start a business or get a small business going may seem a daunting task to many and perhaps that’s why there are a lot more employees than there are entrepreneurs. However, the economy of most western countries depends heavily on that entrepreneurship and the ability of people to start a business and make money.

It can be a huge challenge starting your own business. The way to start a business with the least amount of stress and the maximum probability of success is to follow the same critical success factors that are the common denominators from small businesses to multi-national corporations. These factors are same whether you have an offline business in mind or you are aiming to make money online.

What are these success factors that you need to know and apply when you start a business?

Vision
You know exactly where you are today. You have a business idea you are excited about and you really want to start a business. But where do you want to go with this business and how do you intend to get there? You need to be able to see your business dream realized. You need to be able to communicate that vision effectively. We are not talking about some pie in the sky thing here, we are talking about something that is real. Where would we be today without the visionaries who have gone before us?
This is the first step in the process in how to start a business, there is a sound practical reason for it and that is called motivation.
Armed with a clear vision of where you want to take your business, you will continue to motivate yourself especially when you hit those brick walls (and you will hit them). A clearly defined vision that can be articulated and communicated effectively provides the added impetus with which others also get motivated. When you first start a business this is vital when talking to your family and friends, bank manager, suppliers, and customers.

Purpose And Direction
When you come with an idea and decide to start a business that idea is based on having a purpose you wish to fulfill. The only way you are going to achieve that purpose is to know which direction you are going to take. With a clear understanding of why your business needs to exist, a clear vision of where you want to take it and the knowledge of how you want to get there you are ready to define the next parts of the process. Start a business without these next two steps and you can look forward to anything from a slight chance of making it to complete failure.

Goals And Objectives
Now you are ready. This is where it really starts to take shape. This is another critical step in the business planning cycle. What are your goals? What is it you really want to do when starting your own business?
Define each goal and for each goal work out exactly how you are going to achieve that goal by defining your objectives. It is getting real now. These objectives have to be totally unambiguous. There is an acronym that can help you and it is called – SMART.
Each statement of each objective needs to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time oriented. This step isn’t easy and will take a few iterations but it is totally worth it. Starting a business without being able to measure what you are doing doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
The Action Plan Needed To Start A Business
You now have everything you need to develop a clear and precise action plan on what needs to be done to start a business and be successful. For each objective there may be one or many action steps required and each one should be spelled out and documented. You know the direction you wish to take and now you know what to do each step of the way. But that is still not enough. You have to put the plan into action, you have to actually do it. People who start a business and are successful take action. Others just cry and say “What if”.

Check And Act
It is clear that those who start a business and are successful follow the steps outlined above but those who make it in the longer term and continue to grow do two more things.
It doesn’t matter whether you are starting an online business or starting a home business you need to check your progress often and regularly and act upon the results. Those who are well versed in business planning know that their action plan or business plan is a living document and can change due to all kinds of circumstances, so they also develop what is known as contingency plans. Contingency plans can be difference between survival and huge success.
Less experienced business people, when they start a business, may have the awareness to develop a contingency plan to cope when things don’t work out as well as initially forecasted. What’s equally important when you start a business is to have a contingency plan if things go far better than you planned. There is no quicker way to lose customers if you cannot fulfill your orders.
During those initial few days, weeks, and months when you start a business a key leadership role is in seeking, checking and acting on feedback. You need to do this regularly and often. Talk to staff, employees, the bank manager, customers, suppliers, accountants and anyone else who has a direct relationship in one way or another with your business. Don’t ask questions and then fail to act on the answers. That’s worse than not asking at all.

Stay Focused And Be Resolute
Anyone can start a business. Thousands of people start their own business every day. How many do you think will be successful? Few will actually succeed. Even following the steps outlined above your success could still be limited if you don’t stay focused, or if you do not have the resolve to not only start a business but even to make it a successful one.