Why do small companies fail or succeed

[ericlim]

Hi, I don't know if I'm posting this in the right place but does anyone know of any books which discuss the factors that are key in the success of failure of small businesses? Journals would be just as useful.

I am writing about this subject for my MBA dissertation and so far I'm not having much luck with literature on the subject.

I thought this would be a subject that is extensively written about and although I can find loads on the web in different places I'd prefer to read something written by 'someone' as opposed to an anonymous article on a random website

Any help would be much appreciated

Cheers

Eric

[Dawg]

Big Winners and Big Losers : The 4 Secrets of Long-Term Business Success and Failure, by Alfred Marcus.

[ericlim]

thats true

[DuaneJackson]

E-myth (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0887307280/theinformat08-21/203-3846531-9567948) by Michael Gerber has some good theories on this -

In a nutshell? We're all schitzophrenic. It's a good book and makes a lot of sense. The info you need would all be in the first couple of chapters.

[DuaneJackson]

also read: http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/ftopic9428.php

[Real World Hypnotherapy]

Where do you start on this one.

I find the main reason small business fail is because they start with the intention of making money, and not with what their product or service will do for their customers. People seem to work hard but in the wrong areas.

I could write pages here but I will restrict myself. Have a listen to Zig Zigler and he will put you straight.

Matt, MK Printing

[refreshious]

Where do you start on this one.

I find the main reason small business fail is because they start with the intention of making money, and not with what their product or service will do for their customers. People seem to work hard but in the wrong areas.

I could write pages here but I will restrict myself. Have a listen to Zig Zigler and he will put you straight.

Matt, MK Printing

yeah, I agree. Also, small businesses tend to do everything themselves and not get help.

[DuaneJackson]

yeah, I agree. Also, small businesses tend to do everything themselves and not get help.

Totally agree with that. Until recently I've done everything myself - getting in outside people to take care of different areas has really freed up my time to work on building the company and bringing in money. And most of the outside people I use are otehr members of this forum.

[ebonybailey]

I think a lot of it is the mind set of the business.

There must a focus on the client and what they wantr and not what you want to sell. Promoting your product correctly is paramount, how are you getting your product known, are you aiming to high, or to low. Is the mindset in the righ place, £10 seems expensive £9.99 seems so much cheaper.
Its not all about cost its about what you can offer to your clients, for example I do not offer appointment setting and lead generation, i offer pipeline management which is both rolled into one at not extra cost. Now that is something people are interested in. I you just contacting you potential client once and then leaving it, are you in contact regularly, do you know who your clients should be, should u aim for sme's corps or mid market.

there are many reasons including luck, determination, smart business sense and damn hard work.
I'd be happy to chat to anyone who needs help.

Michael