This is a business article for small
business enterprises who desire and
aim for the stability and growth
of their business entity.
One gauge by which a small business
enterprise can reach its goal of
stability and growth is,
after going beyond the
startup stage, it now
proceeds with a
degree of self-governance, self-sustenance,
and self-propagation.
A brief introduction
Small business enterprises, whether operated online
or offline, would want to reach a level of stability
and growth in their business operations. This can be
achieved if the small business enterpreneur works and
pursues a direction for his business that will help
it go beyond the startup stage and proceed towards
self-governing, self-sustaining, and self-propagating
activities and operations.
Self-governing
Small business entreprenuers know that it is wise
to place the governance and leadership of their
business not only on their own knowledge and
expertise, but on higher principles of business
ethics, morals, and degrees of honesty, integrity
and quality. Though the small business entrepreneur
knows that he will make business decisions based on
actual facts and data gathered from his business
operations, the wise governance of his business
enterprise will be stable and grow more if he relies
not only on his own strengths, or the intellectual
capital of all those involved in his business, but
most of all, on the higher principles of business [especially
through the example of bigger and more successful corporations],
which he follows, and wishes to achieve for his
business. In this way, his small business enterprise
will not be swayed by the unstable and changing tides
that ebb and rise in the business environment, but
rather be anchored in the founding business vision
and principles that have governed the small business
enterprise ever since its inception and beginning.
Self-sustaining
Another indication by which a small business enterprise
would have reached stability and growth is when it
can sustain itself. This is a goal and a mission which
all small business entrepreneurs would like to achieve.
This can be done and it is possible. It will be that
stage beyond the startup when it begins to gain income
and revenue. What is important also
is that the cash flow of the business operations remain
stable and can be controlled. If
this would be the aim of a business entrepreneur, then
in about two to three years time, he can make his small
business enterprise sustain itself. Although in reality
we can never predict what the economy will bring, as long as we keep to
the budget we plan for our business and never
be tempted to overinvest or overspend, then even when
the working funds are low, the business can still sustain itself.
But it is wise also to prepare for such an event in the
economy. One way to prepare is to create a well-padded
cash reserve and surplus account that can be very
helpful during times when economic hardships occur.
This will help the small business enterprise sustain
itself in times of recession.
Self-propagating
A small business entrepreneur can aim to be a mentor
to others also. In this way, he can propagate his
business to those who are also interested in starting
their own businesses. If he is serious in propagating
his business, he can have his business franchised by
others. Or, if he would just like to mentor in terms
of sharing the wisdom and the knowledge he gained from
experience in running a business, then he can always
share what he knows [in terms of goodwill] to those who
like to start a similar business like his. Sometimes
propagating the business in goodwill has a greater
return, that although intangible, is very fulfilling
and meaningful, because you have helped others in
your mentoring in a very noble and generous way. The
success of the businesses you have mentored is enough
to see how you have propagated the business principles
you have lived by and which your "mentorees" have also
applied in their small business enterprises.
The three is a whole and a unity
All the three characteristics of stability and growth
in a small business enterprise are a unity and cannot
exist without each other. Thus, if a small business
entrepreneur would really like to grow and stabilize his
business towards greater stability, then he would work to
make it all at one time, self-governing, self-sustaining,
and self-propagating. It will take time before a small
business entrepreneur can see indications of this in
his business entity. But it is possible if the small
businessman never quits and keeps on persevering despite
all the odds and obstacles he will certainly encounter
along the way. Whenever we experience failure, we must
never stay down, but lift ourselves up through the help of
God and other people. And whenever we succeed, let us not
forget the little people who have helped us, the customers
and clients who have patronized our business, our business
associates (both individuals and corporate entities), and
most of all in a God whom we believe as the ultimate
Provider, for He supplies us with the spirit
to keep on believing and having faith despite all trials,
difficulties, and hardships.
