Aiming for Stability and Growth in a Small Business Enterprise

This is a business article for small business enterprises
who desire and aim for the stability and growth in their small
business venture.

One gauge by which a small business enterprise can reach its
goal of stability and growth is, after surviving the startup, it
now proceeds with sense of stable governance, self-sustaining
operations, and propagation of the business ideals.

A brief introduction

All small business enterprises, whether operated online, or in
brick and mortar establishments, 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 survive the startup
stage first and and then proceed towards a stable governance,
self-sustaining operations, and propagation of its small business
ideals.

Stable governance

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 own 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 small 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 [from the example of stable business institutions]
that have governed the small business enterprise ever since its
inception and beginning.

Self-sustaining operations

Another indication by which a small business enterprise would
have reached stability and growth is when it can sustain itself
in its daily operations. 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.

Propagating small business ideals

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 ideals, 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 small business principles and ideals you have
lived by and which your "mentorees" have also applied in their
own small business enterprises.

The three is a whole and a unity

All the three characteristics of stability and growth mentioned
above 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,
governed by classic business principles, make it be able to
sustain its own business operations, and help propagate his small
business ideals with other startups. 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
a small businessman experiences failure, he must never stay down,
but lift himself up with the help of God and other people. And
whenever he succeeds, let him not forget the little people who
have helped him, his customers and clients who have patronized
his business, his business associates (both individuals and
employees of corporate entities), and most of all in a God whom
he believes as the ultimate Provider. For God supplies everyone
with the spirit to keep on believing and having faith despite
all trials, difficulties, and hardships.

first published in www.pcentral-online.net, July 2004 to
September 2008