Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) is the backbone of the Indian economy. Around 30% of the GDP in the Indian economy is contributed by MSME. It has created approximately 11 Cr. Jobs, which is second only to the agricultural sector and accounts for 45% of the total Indian manufacturing output, and 40% of the country`s total exports.
Despite their mammoth contribution to the Indian economy and MSME schemes for the startup business, this sector is facing lots of challenges in which an unorganized business structure and proper mentorship top the chart.
While MNCs and other large firms operate with a set of business advisors, business analysts, and life coaches for distinct aspects of business, MSMEs generally lack the key insights, resources, and inclination to reach out to a professional for expert guidance.
As a result, there are few common mistakes that MSME enterprises continue to make, impacting their growth. However, in the past few years, there has been an upsurge in the number of business coaches in India and business consultants that are specifically focused on Startups, SMEs, and MSMEs.
These mentors help first-generation entrepreneurs with how to start an MSME business and navigate through complex challenges of the business world.
Do you have MSME startup ideas, but have no clue from where to start? Well, here is a list of 5 common mistakes that most Small and Medium Enterprises make, which can be avoided with the help of the best business coach in India:
- Lack of Planning
Initially, many businesses start with an idea of a product or a service, which, in principle, seems to resolve the burning problems of the consumer and result in a huge commercial success. But, it fails due to proper understanding and a good MSME business plan.
The matter of fact is that every business small or large needs a business plan that includes mission and strategy, financial objectives, development of finances, sales and marketing strategies, resource plan, competitor analysis including pricing, market summary, and financial forecasts.
If your business plan is not based on well-researched information and accurate statistics, it may fail. You can take the help of a business coach to come out with a business plan that is based on practical information and not on some unrealistic expectations.
- Lack of Foresight
Most businesses start with a long-term vision, but after managing daily challenges and internal business crises, it loses focus and gets lost in basic survival. Many others will become too satisfied with their state of business and might lose sight of growth and expansion after getting comfortable.
These issues might appear minor; however, in the long run, they can become the major reason behind the failure of a business. This can be addressed with the help of a business coach in India. A business mentor can help you to come out with a systematic long-term growth chart and will work together to ensure that the same is followed.
Through consistent follow-up, support and guidance, a business can overcome short-term challenges and pacify setbacks by implementing a practical and achievable strategy for growth.
- Lack of Working Capital
Being optimistic is one thing, but setting an unrealistic expectation by ignoring the statistics is another. Time after time, there have been so many MSME business plans where the owners have an unachievable and unrealistic expectation about revenue and cash generation. This irrational calculation leads to financial crunch and failure.
Other business plans may focus on set-up costs but fail to factor in the day-to-day running costs. Every entrepreneur must understand that the establishment of a business takes a year or two. During that period it is crucial to keep the machines running, lights on and staff paid. Taking a more realistic approach towards your business for the first 18-24 months will increase your chances of running your working capital needs.
- Resistance to learning & upgrade skills
Change is the only constant! And, due to the innovation in the digital world, a constantly evolving consumer landscape, businesses need to adapt to new technologies. It makes it almost inevitable to escape these changes. Not upgrading your skill sets as an entrepreneur, may hinder your progress and failure in business.
While most SMEs and MSMEs look at skill up-gradation, they find investment in staff training and continuous learning as an investment burden. However, if done right, it has the potential to not only get the business out of the crisis but can also ensure that the business remains in the league and grows exponentially.
- Hesitant to Adopt Technology
Technology has become an integral part of our lives. From healthcare to entertainment, wellness to leisure, agriculture to the BFSI sector the presence of technology is evident everywhere. The technology-enabled business can only thrive in the 21st century. Despite this, a large number of MSMEs continue to shy away from adopting cost-effectiveness and continue to depend on manual labor.
Apart from the above-mentioned points, there are some basic factors as well like financial planning; smart marketing techniques, leveraging government policies, tools, and adequate focus on alliances are some of the other areas where SMEs and entrepreneurs must focus.
Are you an entrepreneur and looking for solutions, which you are facing in your entrepreneurial journey, you can take the ‘Entrepreneurship course’.