One of the most important things you can do when you’re running a business is build a reputation in the field. It helps to attract funding, build a client base, and also get you the best talent when you’re hiring. When you’re generating some buzz and excitement about your product and your working practices, talented people beat a bath to your door, so you can pick from the best rather commit to an exhausting search.
It’s difficult to bottle lightning: sometimes a reputation accumulates around you because you were in the right place, at the right time, with the right idea, and if you’re not trying to force things can damage your reputation rather than improve it.
What you can do is make sure you have the knowledge and resources you need to make the most of every opportunity, so you don’t miss any chance you need to built the stellar reputation that will see your start-up blossom and grow.
Take the Initiative
One of the most important things you can do is position yourself as a leader in your field. This doesn’t have to mean you’re achieving the most. If you take a proactive stance, and invite others to follow, you become a leader by default. For example, organising a conference about the latest developments in your industry if a great way to build a bigger profile, and for people to see you as a leader in your field.
You don’t have to have a huge office to run an event like that. If you’re looking for a meeting room for hire Manchester, London or any major city has a number of options that can help you host a series of talks and discussions that will help you connect with other leaders in your field.
Be Fair and Professional
It’s tempting to use the notoriously ‘flexible’ start-up culture to cut back on the basics: paying contractors on time, treating people fairly, paying attention to the letter of the law as well as it’s spirit.
Unfortunately, while that might make things easier in the short term, in the long run in creates problems, not least of which is that you’ll be seen as unreliable. While start-ups are all about bold, disruptive ideas, those ideas aren’t worth anything unless you can also prove you have the organisational skills to deliver a product.
Whether that means hiring an accountant, or a project manager, or getting some Interim Management help to get things running smoothly, making sure your foundations are firmly planted will ensure you have a reputation for getting the job done.