End Goal – Get your Business set up and ready to open #

Banking: #

If you haven’t already, you should set up a business bank account.  It is important to run all income and expenses through a business bank account.  As best as possible you do not want to intermingle your personal and business expenses.

Office: #

Whether you have a retail store, service business, or even a small shop set up in your garage, setting aside an area specifically as your office is very important.  It can be as small as a little desk in the corner of your living room.  Having this separate dedicated workspace set aside will help keep you more organized.  You do not want business documents and invoices spread out across your kitchen table. Without a separate space, it makes it harder to keep on task, especially like a dining room table where other activities are done.

Software: #

The number of business related software is far too vast to go into each one in detail, but in this step you should get all your software set up and ready to use.  Run a few test transactions through each program so that you fully understand how to use them. Go through each function of any programs you are using and familiarize yourself with any quirks that specific UI (User Interface) or software has. There is nothing more embarrassing than trying to get software working correctly in front of a customer.

Facilities: #

Again, far too vast of a category to go into too much detail on each business, but you should fully set up your facility before receiving customers.  Even if it is your first day in business you want to look like you have been there a while.  Make sure everything is in place and ready before your real or proverbial doors are open.

Customer Perception: #

Think about what you want the customer to see.  Even if you are fully online and only meeting customers through zoom, think about what is in your background.  If you have a physical location, think about what the customer perception will be when they walk in. 

Have an organized and efficient workplace.  If there are documents and trash laying around, what will the customer think.  Take the time to walk into your space as a customer would and try to see things through their eyes.  What are they seeing and what do you want them to see?

If you want more, you can listen to our podcast episode on the topic here:
The Turtlesmith Podcast Episode 18: Set Up Operations