By Fernando Berrocal

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As a brand-new startup, you’re operating on budget, trying to flex with the unexpected, and plan as well as possible for future success.  According to statistics published by various national think tanks, around 90 percent of all startups fail, with 10% failing within the first year of operations. It is only natural for most entrepreneurs to experience feelings of being overwhelmed, lost, or simply unsure at times–the farthest thing from zen!   However, by following a few basic guidelines and utilizing smart business resources, these slumps can be avoided. 

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Effective technology isn't the only thing that keeps a business going smoothly in its operations.  Teams need a culture that encourages wellness, as well as responsible delegation of tasks. Overextension and exertion can be tempting for startup owners.  Forgoing expensive resources is another popular sacrifice by early-stage teams.  These moves are major blunders in the long run. In this article, we will go through a few ideas on how to avoid the pitfalls of startup exhaustion–and keep your business going long past launch.

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Don't Overwork Yourself: You may be a hyper ambitious worker; but is it possible for everyone on your team to make the same claim? Probably not. If you are a founder or owner, most likely you are the most motivated individual in the organization. Thus, when it comes to the mental and general well-being of your team as a whole, knowing how to spot the indications of team burnout will be a crucial tool. With a few principles implemented, you can prevent burnout and maintain a fresh perspective on work and personal life.

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When employees are overworked, exhaustion is imminent.  If you observe that your team is feeling tired and it's affecting development and productivity, create time to take a well-deserved break. The best approach to combat burnout is to develop a workplace culture that promotes mental health awareness and encourages employees to regularly step away from the stress of their jobs (as much as they require.)  You’re the leader of your organization.  It is your job to institute this culture–and set an example of workplace wellness.

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Arrange Information Technology (IT) Assistance: The business world is possibly the most reliant on technology to keep things functioning. However, it is only a matter of time before any software or hardware breaks, malfunctions, or ceases operating completely–resulting in data loss. As a startup, you must be proactive and have IT support ready and waiting to be deployed in these circumstances. The peace of mind alone is worth keeping IT services on standby.

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For instance, many (if not most) businesses nowadays use Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards and a variety of other data metric tools with several complex capabilities. When something crashes, you have two options: spend hours attempting to fix it yourself and lose valuable time–time intended for running your company! Or, you can contact your local IT assistance service.  Whether you measure by time saved or frustrations avoided, it’s better to be safe than sorry: have IT help on hand. You'll almost certainly need them at some point.

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Alt text for the image above: Entrepreneur Advice to make Business Run Smooth

Participate in your Community's Activities: Your startup may have a physical location - an office or retail outlet - or perhaps your business exists solely within the e-commerce world Regardless of which sphere you transact in, all businesses require local support. One of the most common mistakes made by all-digital business owners is underestimating the importance of local community engagement. If you know a little about marketing, however, you won't make this mistake.

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Making community members aware of your business will be crucial if you want to avoid joining the 10 percent of startups that fail within the first year. So, get out and socialize!  Contact radio stations, produce simple commercials and visual content, and promote yourself on local social media pages. You have a lot of options–make the most of them. Yes, starting a business is a risk. Regardless, if you're enthusiastic about what you have to offer the world, the pressure can be worth it. So, keep a lookout for things that might help your business grow, and make sure to keep things balanced within your startup.

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Ready to bring your startup to the next level? Apply to MassLight’s next batch. MassLight supplies capital and a dedicated tech team. We take equity in return. Have questions? Refer to our FAQ page.

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