“透視企業家”是一個在線社區,美國創業圈最有思想也最具影響力的大咖會在此及時回答有關創業和職場的問題。今天的問題是“關于創業生活,最大的誤解是什么?”回答者是創意廣告公司創始人埃德?米岑(Ed Mitzen)。 創業開公司肯定是有不少福利的。你可以自己當老板,還能打造出對自己有意義的產品,也有望吸引到消費者和客戶。如果進展一帆風順當然好,但如果事情不順,獨挑千斤重擔會讓你不堪其負。下面是一些我創業期間學到的血淚教訓: 創業公司倒閉不會因為不賺錢,多是因為沒有現金周轉。 創業期間毫無疑問現金為王。一定要為業務進展緩慢時期以及預期外的成本留足資金。如果沒錢付賬單,給員工發工資,壓力是最大的。我試過。那段時間過得非常痛苦,我都沒精力去想怎么發展公司。 我們剛創立Fingerpaint沒多久,最大的客戶遇到意料之外的問題突然撤回資金。我們決定不裁員,希望能增加員工的忠誠度,也激勵大家齊心協力尋找新客戶。當時離拖欠債務公司倒閉只有兩個星期,還好挺了過來。由于壓力巨大,我有三個月沒法睡好覺,健康也出現問題。幸運的是,業務迅速好轉,我們在懸崖邊及時剎住了車,但剛創業我就上了這么慘烈的一節現金周轉教育課,這輩子都忘不了。 如果你還幻想能像給別人打工時一樣放假休假,醒醒吧。 創業沒有假期。每天連軸轉才有機會活下來。過去九年,每個感恩節的早晨我都在辦公室,因為對我來說,感恩節不過是個普通的周四。當然我每個感恩節都會跟家人團聚,但頭幾年我都是匆忙趕回家,腦子里全在想創業的事。 在我每次參與創業的公司里,至少頭三年別想真正地休假放松。剛起步時真得沒日沒夜地工作。郵件、短信、語音郵件和電話會議是假期的日常。幾年前我們有機會爭取麥當勞業務。是的,真是麥當勞。競標期間我就在休假,結果假期中間我抽了兩天開會,努力想談下業務。最后我們落選了(就差一點),但如果再讓我選一次,我還是會放棄幾天休假。創業期間,即便休息期間也隨時保持“不計一切代價爭取”的態度是推動業務發展的關鍵。 很多人相信朋友和過去工作中認識的人在創業期間能幫上忙。基本上沒戲。 這句話看起來好像在指責很多人都是冷血動物。我并不是這個意思。一般來說如果你告訴朋友在創業,最常見的反應是“真好啊!我好羨慕你,其實我也想嘗試的,”然后都會來一句“要是有能幫忙的,盡管找我。” 然而實際上,大部分人都沒法幫你發展業務。要么是權限不夠大沒法拍板下單,要么就是有別的朋友已經搭上線,一時之間不好更換。這不是說他們很壞,只是別人沒法像你預期一樣幫你而已。 一定要小心,公司發展別太依賴朋友和家人。人家自己的工作生活中也都有各種麻煩事,沒有義務幫你發展公司。精神上他們肯定會支持你,但只要走上創業之路就注定孤身前行。多向朋友和家人尋求精神支持和鼓勵可以,但別指望別人能在更具體的業務層面幫到你。(財富中文網) ? 譯者:Pessy 審稿:夏林 |
The Entrepreneur Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question “What are some of the biggest misconceptions about startup life?" is written by Ed Mitzen, founder of Fingerpaint Marketing. Being a startup entrepreneur definitely has its perks. You’re your own boss and you get to build something that’s truly meaningful to you and hopefully the consumers or clients you’re trying to attract. It’s great when things are going good, but the weight of responsibility and accountability can be too much bear when things turn south and it’s all on you. So here’s three harsh lessons I learned thus far: Businesses don't fail because they aren't profitable. They fail because they run out of cash. Cash is absolutely king when it comes to starting a business. You have to plan for slow times and unforeseen costs. There is nothing more stressful than not having enough cash coming in to pay your bills and staff. I’ve been there. It’s agonizing and can take your energy away from growing your company. When we were starting Fingerpaint, there was a period early on when we had our largest client pull back their spend due to unforeseen issues. We made the decision to not layoff staff in hopes it would instill loyalty and galvanize everyone to find new clients. While it did that, we were literally two weeks away from defaulting on our financial obligations and closing the company. There was a period of about three months when I didn’t sleep and had health issues due to the crushing pressure. Fortunately, business turned around just in time and we pulled ourselves out of the abyss, but the lessons I learned in the beginning related to cash flow will never be forgotten. If you think you will be able to take vacations and holidays like you did when you worked for someone else, forget it. There are no days off in start-up life. You will be working around the clock just to survive. I’ve been in our office on Thanksgiving morning every year for the past 9 years, because to me, that morning is just another Thursday. While I’ve never missed a Thanksgiving celebration with my family, early on it was a struggle to “be present” when I was constantly thinking about surviving as an entrepreneur. With all the companies I have helped to start, it was at least three years in before I could truly relax on vacation. Early on, you are always on. Emails, texts, voicemails and conference calls are a vacation reality. Several years ago we had an opportunity to earn some work at McDonald’s. Yes, that McDonald’s. The pitch was during my vacation, so I took two days in the middle of my vacation to make the meeting to try and win the business. We didn't get the work (we came close), but if I had to do it again, I still would have made the decision to leave my vacation for a few days. That type of “do what it takes” attitude while you are taking a break is imperative for keeping your business alive in the start-up days. Many people assume that their friends and past business contacts will be lined up to help with their start-ups. That’s rarely the case. This headline may give an impression that people are heartless jerks. That’s not my point here. When you tell your connections that you are starting your own company, the typical response is “Good for you! I’m so jealous. I wish I could do that,” shortly followed by “Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.” The reality is, most people aren’t in a position to be helpful in growing your business. Either they don't have the final say into a buying decision, or they have other close connections that already have their business, which they aren't willing to disrupt. It doesn't mean they are bad people. They just can’t help in ways you were hoping they could. Be careful not to over rely on friends and family to help grow your business. They have their own challenges in their work life and it isn’t their job to help grow your company. While they will be with you in spirit, it can be a lonely road in the beginning when you start your business. Lean on friends and family for emotional support and encouragement, but don't expect to have them help in a tangible financial way. |