If you’re thinking about starting your own business but feel that your lack of experience is holding you back, you may want to have another look at your employment history and reconsider.
Some of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs had very little work experience before they began to chase their own visions. For example, Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard to co-found Microsoft. And Richard Branson dropped out of school at the age of 16 to start a youth-culture magazine with no work experience at all. In fact, his company was named Virgin because of his lack of experience in business.
While previous work experience or work experience in your field may not be completely necessary for success, it certainly helps. However, many skills you learn in the workplace are transferrable, so you don’t need to have done before exactly what you plan to do when you set up on your own. The most important thing is that you have a passion, a vision and a plan. Many other things can be learned along the way as long as you have the dedication.
Harness Your Existing Skills
Entrepreneurs are multi-skilled. When you work alone or with a very small team, you wear many hats – even if you eventually outsource or hire employees to take on some of the tasks. You may be creative, with a background in design helping you to shape the look of your product. You might have a head for numbers and previous experience working in accounts to help you reign in those finances. You may be a great leader with supervisory experience, or a great communicator with a writing background. Whatever your skills are, they’re likely to be of great use to you when you’re starting your business. And if you find there is a gap in your skillset, you may be able to fill that gap by learning something new or by getting outside help.
Plan Out Your Vision
Even if you don’t have any previous experience in the industry you’re going into, your other skills can still help you. If you have a passion for your product or idea, you can take the time to learn what you need to know. It may take a long time and it might not be easy, but a passion and a drive will help to get you there. It will also help if you have a clear vision, and plan out how you are going to get there. This is where your business plan comes in. A business plan will help you to figure out what your goals are, the roadblocks you might face along the way, and how to plan your finances and resources effectively.
A business plan is also a place where you can outline how your experience and skills are going to help you advance your business and achieve your aims. Once you have identified your skills, you can use this to shape the direction your business will take. Even though Bill Gates and Richard Branson dropped out of school and college to start their businesses, this doesn’t mean that anyone can go into any business without the experience or knowledge. Shape your business according to your strengths and use your business plan to help you make the right decisions for you and your new venture.
If you would like any help with writing a business plan that shows how your experience will drive your business towards success, get in touch with cbm. Contact us online using the form on the right or call 01604 420 420.