Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes [My Real-world Failures]

Mistake 1: No product / market fit

One of my biggest mistakes early in my entrepreneurial journey was no product / market fit. I assumed that I knew what customers wanted and that the best course of action was to focus on developing my vision for the business.

I should have recognised the importance of listening to and profoundly understanding my customers. They are the ones who use and rely on my products and services, so their perspective matters most. Ignoring their views, I created a business that did not meet their needs or solve their problems.

My real-world failure: In my early 20’s, I started a printing business and poured all of my time and resources into getting it going, convinced that customers would flock to it. However, I soon realised that I needed to have researched or conversed with my target market to understand their needs and pain points to have a compelling enough value proposition.

Ultimately, I closed the business down after less than six months with all my savings down the drain.

Since then, I’ve learned to listen and observe my customers actively. I might use surveys, focus groups, and customer feedback tools to gather valuable insights into their needs and preferences.

Then, I use that feedback to steer my innovation efforts and ensure that my products and services meet their expectations.

You can learn the basics of interviewing in this recent post.

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Mistake 2: Failing to adapt to market changes

Another mistake I could have avoided is adapting to market changes. Instead, I assumed that a successful product or service would remain relevant forever without any need to adjust or pivot.

However, the market constantly evolves, and new trends and disruptions can quickly render even the most successful products and services obsolete. Recognising these shifts and adapting rapidly to avoid losing your competitive edge is essential.

My real-world failure was not adapting to the changing regulations and technology. These shifts started to influence customer expectations in my previous financial services business.

Fortunately, my business was resilient after building strong customer loyalty and driving organic referrals and retention. However, there were a lot of times when potential customers went elsewhere.

Now, I focus on staying close to customers and the market signals.

I do this by remaining agile and adaptive. This means experimenting, taking risks, and pivoting your strategy as needed.

One approach is to use agile methods, such as design thinking and lean development. These methods emphasise flexibility, collaboration, and rapid iteration, which can help you respond more quickly to changes in the market.

Another approach is to seek out feedback from customers and other stakeholders. By listening to their needs and concerns, you can identify areas for improvement and make changes to your products or services accordingly.

Ultimately, staying curious, open-minded, and willing to learn is the key to adapting to market changes. By embracing change and staying ahead of the curve, you can ensure that your business remains relevant and competitive in the long run.

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Mistake 3: Neglecting team collaboration and communication

A third big mistake I made was neglecting team collaboration and communication. As the founder behind my financial services company, I assumed that my team would follow me without effective communication and collaboration.

However, I soon discovered that teamwork and collaboration are crucial to successful innovation. No one person can do it all themselves, and without effective communication, my team struggled to stay aligned and focused on our shared goals.

My real-world failure was thinking I had all the answers rather than letting go of my ego and supporting my team to contribute. My approach stifled creativity and had a direct impact on the bottom line and staff morale.

Since then, I’ve learned to prioritise team collaboration, communication and fun.

I have found that one of the most effective ways to foster collaboration is to create a safe working environment. Safe spaces can be achieved by encouraging open communication and feedback, recognising and rewarding good work, and promoting a culture of trust and respect.

Also, creating a culture of continuous learning and improvement is essential. This helps to keep the team engaged and motivated and ensures that they are continually growing and improving.

​“You never fail, until you stop trying” – Albert Einstein