Starting a Business Checklist

Much goes into successfully starting a business. Even if you’ve done it before, it can be difficult to remember everything unless you’ve got a checklist  to work with. I’ve created a small list of MUST do things to keep in mind along with a few links to posts that will give you more info.

Decide what business to start

  • What will you sell, rent out, lend out etc
  • Who will buy it, for how much and how frequently?
  • Can you make a profit?

Related posts:

How to choose the right business to start – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/how-to-choose-the-right-business-for-you/

Get your Company registered

  • Create a corporate bank account
  • Sort out Tax Clearance with ZIMRA
  • Do you need VAT?
  • Special License, certificate or clearance required?
  • Related Posts:
  • The requirements for getting registered in Zimbabwe – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/requirements-for-company-formation-in-zimbabwe/
  • Common company registration mistakes – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/10-company-formation-mistakes-zimbabwean-business-people-make/
  • What you need to know to register a business – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/company-registration-zimbabwe-business-setup/

Sort out your business contacts

  • Physical address
  • Phone number
  • Fax number
  • P. O. Box number
  • Email addresses.
  • Mobile numbers

Related Posts:

Don’t be a briefcase businessmanhttp://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/14/dont-be-a-briefcase-businessman-7-tips/

Write a business plan

  • How will you fund your business?
  • What opportunity are you seizing?
  • What hunger are you satisfying?
  • How will your reach and convince the market?
  • How will you compete effectively?

Related Posts:

  • How to write a business for your Zimbabwean businesshttp://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/07/13/business-plan-zimbabwe/
  • Strategic thinking in business – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/buiness-marketing-strategic-vs-tactical-thinking/

Design your brand and communication pieces based on a business marketing strategy

  • Get logo designed
  • Design correspondence/ communication pieces (business cards, letter heads, compliment slips)
  • Design transaction forms (Invoices, quotations, receipts, order forms etc)

Related Posts:

Warning About Logo designhttp://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/warning-before-you-get-your-logo-designed-in-zimbabwe/

Why your business cards stinkhttp://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/04/01/why-your-business-cards-stink-what-to-do-about-it/

Create marketing material

  • Website designed
  • Direct mail?
  • Fliers?
  • Newspaper advertising
  • Word of mouth
  • Email marketing?
  • SMS advertising?
  • Sales people?

Related Posts

See 29 marketing ideas here – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/06/29-marketing-ideas-for-zimbabwe%E2%80%99s-marketing-myopia/

12 Reasons You Need A Websitehttp://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/12-reasons-your-zimbabwe-business-needs-a-website/

Why you can’t afford to ignore internet marketing – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/why-internet-marketing-is-better/

Is your cash management system in place?

  • What fixed expenses will you need to manage?
  • Which once off costs are necessary
  • What unforeseen costs?
  • How will you ensure your money grows the business
  • How will you ensure money doesn’t disappear?

Related Posts

Start a business without money – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/03/09/how-to-start-a-business-without-money/

Cash Baron Secretshttp://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/cash-baron-secrets/

Is your human resources strategy in place?

  • How will you find, hire, train, equip, compensate and retain the right people for your business?
  • Which positions should you start with?
  • What responsibilities will they have
  • How will you measure, manage and ensure performance?
checklist
Don't forget these things

Now there certain things that aren’t in this list – mostly things that are industry specific or only apply to certain types of businesses. Nonetheless, i hope this helps!

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Strategic thinking in business – http://bizsetup.wordpress.com/2010/04/19/buiness-marketing-strategic-vs-tactical-thinking/

3 Replies to “Starting a Business Checklist”

  1. I want to show my thanks to the author of this blog page. Keep giving a good ideas and strategies. Many people will surely improve their skills by reading blogs like this.

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