No one wants their business to fail, but there are 10 main reasons why it may. Discover what these are and what you can do to avoid these problems.

1. Insufficient Working Capital

It is crucial for businesses to have a financial cushion especially in the start-up phase. Ever changing markets can take many unexpected turns which make financial reserves a must. Ensure that you are realistic in how long it will be your turnover starts and how much money you need to survive until your company becomes profitable.

2. Lack of a Solid and Visionary Business Plan

The markets are living, breathing environments and are constantly growing and changing shape; for this reason, your business plan must include some kind of realistic look into the future and how the company can adapt to the needs of this ever changing market.

3. Inappropriate Strategic Planning

The company must create goals that are realistic but precise. The business plan should be consulted regularly so that the employees are clear on what their responsibilities are and the direction that the company is taking.

4. Inability to Market Products and/or Services Effectively

If a company is unable to penetrate its market, steadily increase awareness, and effectively market their product then all the other strengths of the company are useless. Make sure that your company is market driven that what you are selling is what your marketing is looking to buy. Review and change often.

5. Overwhelming Competition

Competition can be brutal; it is crucial that a company have a strong understanding of their market and be able to develop a niche that gives you a competitive advantage. Dont try to go head to head with the market leaders do what Virgin and Easyjet did and find a niche that is crying out to be filled. Virgin found it with cheap Atlantic flights, with all in one mortgages etc. Easyjet found their niche in no frills cheap flights to lesser known airports.

6. Failure to Control Costs

It is important to develop a system of accounting for costs embedded in company operations; then, management can control costs effectively and provide incentives to employees to increase production and efficiency. Look at all possible places that costs are accruing. Costs of unsold inventory have bought many a large company to their knees.

7. Inadequate Financial Records

Current and accurate financial accounts are vital. Cash flow needs to be maximized and debts owed minimized. Positive cash flow is crucial to keeping any business afloat.

8. Poor Customer Relations

Customers keep a business viable; therefore, it is crucial to keep them happy to ensure repeated business and good referrals to other buyers. Ensure that all your staff, your web site, your call centers etc are welcoming and easy to understand for all your customers.

9. Inability to Maintain Quality Control

Quality of product or service is something that must remain consistently high. Inconsistencies in quality have a tendency to spread and eat away at companies slowly but surely. Ensure that your business brand is consistently visible and that the business quality standards are understood and practiced by all your staff.

10. Lack of Proper Internal Communication

Management must share a healthy avenue of communication with employees so that common goals are clearly defined and constructive criticism is useful. Your staff represent your business so look after them and keep them aware of what is happening and what you want in the future.

Nobody wants to fail in their business so be aware of the pitfalls and good luck in your business.

Lee Lister

Lee Lister is Management Consultant and Program Manager with more than 25 year's management and consultancy experience and more than 20 year's program and project management experience in projects for Banking, Finance, Insurance, Leisure and Government bodies. She also have more than 10 years bid management experience ranging from bids for medium companies to large international and infrastructure bids.

British born, Lee received her BA(Hons) Financial Economics from the University of Essex. She went on to work in or for a considerable number of countries within Asia and Europe as well as Australia and the United States. While building a name for herself through helping company restructure, change management and project management consultancy, Lee became a well-known figure for her skills in analyzing, problem solving and trouble-shooting. She has consulted for many major industries, including banking, telecommunications, insurance, transportation, leisure and governments from many different countries. Some of the companies who have benefited from Lee’s expertise are Hewlett Packard, Siemans Nixdorf, Electrolux and the Philippines government.

Whilst working in the Far East she became a recognized expert on preparing and evaluating large World Bank Proposals (infrastructure projects within developing countries). These accomplishments called upon the skills of bid and project management, risk assessment, contract negotiation and supplier management and required dedicated work to very tight time scales. This expertise was acknowledged by an invitation to be the principle speaker at an International Business Development Conference in Washington, USA. She has also consulted at very senior level in several countries.

She owns and manages two companies, Biz Guru LLC in the USA and Biz Guru Services Ltd in the UK as well a considerable number of profitable web sites. She works almost entirely via the internet, visiting clients on site during major consultancies and training. Her Internet skills span from when major companies first started to consider obtaining their own web sites. During these years, she has kept up to date with the rapid changes on the internet, including the dot com boom and the resulting bust – which her own web based companies survived.

She regularly consults, writes and lectures on business, bid management and marketing and has published numerous courses and books.

How To Succeed As An Aggressive Investor

Why Should I Freelance

Christian Job Search: Put Faith IN Your Resume, Not ON It

How Dishonest is Your Competition?

Companies Stifle Intrapreneurs At Their Own Risk