Mom and Pop Disease - (part 1) "AGE-OLD START-UPS"

Many times I have encountered what I call "Age-Old Start Ups". What might that be you ask? Let me start by saying that human beings are very creative by nature. Especially when put in an entrepreneurial situation. That having been said, they are also creatures of habit. This is good when the habits are good habits and bad is always bad. These are companies that never go anywhere. They don't flourish or grow. they just exist! Sooner or later the passion runs out, the excitement dies down and the ability to create profit begins to stagnate.

Most people start a business in the same way. They have an idea. This idea falls in one of three categories. Passion, Profit, or both. I think we have all seen the "Passionate Approach". Someone will take grandma's recipe and begin production. While these labors of love are sometimes not as profitable as we would like, step one is accomplished, we have success.Then there is the "Profit Approach". Someone has an idea and creates something new or puts a new twist on an existing product. All seems to be working well, profit begins to roll in and voila, success. Last but not least, you have the combination of the two. A great passion mixed with a great idea, with a generous helping of profit. How can that miss, right? Again success.

NOW WHAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In my experience, this is a very important point in the future of the process. This is where everything changes (one way or another). The next logical step is at hand and must be taken! A start-up is like a new born baby. It must be nourished and cared fore. As it grows with age different steps must be taken or negative things begin to happen. As with children, all business models, especially start-ups need constant care if expected to survive and mature.The moment you become over confident or think you can put your feet up and coast you risk creating "The Age Old Start-Up".

 In my next post we will review the commonalities of the approaches, the different turns that can be taken and why and how to take those turns.

"THAT LOOKS EASY, I CAN DO THAT!"

Most people have been lead to believe that they can DIY just about anything, and in a perfect world, I suppose this is true to a degree. Unfortunately this is a "False Sense of Security" situation created by manufacturers trying to maintain sales numbers. Times are tough and have been for awhile.The manufacturers gave great thought on a new approach to this problem. They felt if the projects were portrayed as "Simple Enough" most people would attempt to proceed, saving professional labor costs and making the projects doable NOW. The price for business and infrastructure enhancement of any type is expensive, even for me. I have been in all forms of the business for some 30 years, I have an electrical design and data management skill set with expertise in the areas of operations and project management, in addition to many relationships in all areas of future growth.

What they don't tell you is that the DIY approach does not apply to commercial and business scenarios and that you have four strikes against you from the start. Doing things on a personal level is quite different from doing things on a professional level,   

1. You have no experience in the field of endeavor and that is understandable. This may well cost you your investment in failure at best, at worst, you may put yourself at a point of no return. This means the project must be finished now, your investment will now increase, and you still have to pay a professional to do it. So what have you really accomplished?  
2. You as the Designer/Project Manager of the project, are not familiar enough with the hardware and software available for the best design or the best bang for the buck.  
3. You do not have access to the commercial vendors and suppliers the pros use. Sure you have Best Buy and other local electronics stores, along with some online vendors but the only time a pro considers this approach is if it is an emergency, what is needed is low maintenance, or the budget is insufficient.  
4. Your warranties become an issue.You have no one to perform or pay for warranty repair in the first year as you would with a professional.

I could go on but why? I think I've given you enough to think about for now. My next post will tell you a bit about me for those new friends I will encounter. I will also give you my perspective on a way to better accomplish your projects in a more efficient and less risky manner.

A LITTLE ABOUT ME AND MINE

My name is Chuck and I am a Senior Consultant with a background in Operations and Disaster Recovery. My target client is the small to medium sized business.

I believe these entrepreneurs are what makes this country strong. I also believe they are in need of a friend. Having said that, over the last thirty years I have designed and created what I have been told are unique skill sets. All things considered, I feel I have an obligation to help the country and the people who have been good to my family and I.

After weighing the options carefully C T  & Associates Consulting has developed an ever evolving, low cost, "Total Concept Solution" to create "Start-Ups" and to take existing small and medium businesses through the logical steps to achieve their next level of growth.The last hurdle was to make it affordable.

In future posts you can look forward to additional incites with tips to help with infrastructure, operations, hardware, software, and "Best Practice" (procedures and protocols) as they apply.

If you let me hear from you with enough advanced notice, I can somewhat tailor my posts to reflect the needs. Believe it or not my friends, "IT'S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT THE MONEY!" However if the need should arise, special "one on one" consulting is available.

Chuck