A recent report has found that 60% of new businesses fail within their first three years. This is due to the fact that while many business owners have the best intentions, they are not always the most effective leaders. Furthermore, a good idea alone is not enough when it comes to running a company – you need to be able to turn that idea into a business model and that model into profit. One way you can go about achieving this goal is by taking steps early on that will protect your business in the future.

With that in mind, here are some easy ways to start to future-proof your business today. 

Factor damage control into your business plan. By now, you’ve probably already put together a business plan that details the steps you will take to turn your idea into something tangible. However, a common mistake that many business owners make is failing to factor damage control in your business plan. For example, your business plan should include detailed descriptions of everything that could go wrong – and the steps you could take to resolve the issue. This way, when the worst does happen, you’re already prepared.

Be aware of cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity is important in all aspects of our lives – but is particularly important when you are running a business. This is because cybersecurity hacks could result in private information being leaked – which is a great way to destroy any trust your customers had within you. Therefore, you can future-proof your business by knowing how to protect your business from cybersecurity threats.  

Look into specialist insurance providers. When running a business, you need to purchase various different forms of insurance to protect yourself when things go wrong. While this may seem like an additional expense (especially in the early stages where you may be dealing with limited funds), it’s an essential purchase that can save your company from closure further down the line. In these cases, you must work with an insurance provider that is experienced within your industry. For example, if you work within the marine industry, you might want to work with Anchor Marine Underwriters.

Make workplace safety a priority. In order for your company to survive, you need to take good care of your employees. Failure to do so will not only affect your employee retainment rates but could also land you in legal trouble if you fail to uphold the necessary health and safety standards. Thankfully, there are various highly efficient methods of workplace safety that you can put into practice. You should also ensure that all employees receive appropriate training when welcomed into your team, even if they have previously worked in a similar position. 

Be flexible and innovative. One of the easiest ways to help your business grow is by staying on top of current trends and trying something new from time to time. For example, you cannot rest on the success of one good product forever – you need to bring something new to the market if you want to remain a popular brand.