There’s such a thing as “too much information”, especially for the companies scaling out their sales operations. That’s why Attentive was born in 2015 help sales teams make their increasing pipelines simpler to manage. Indeed, the small, Portugal-based team is itself focused on scaling, having much participated in accelerator

In this episode, Attentive founder and CTO Pedro Araújo talks about what it takes to build a tech new product from the ground up. Discover their approach to running an engineering team, from adopting new open source technologies, to onboarding junior developers and Starting a business from scratch is an incredibly difficult endeavor. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and resilience to make it through the early stages and establish your company as an independent entity in the market. But what are the most common challenges new startups face, and how can they overcome them? Find out in this article as we explore the most common obstacles startups face during their first few months of operations.

Starting a new business is an exciting time, but it can also be challenging. Here are some of the most common challenges faced by new startups and how to overcome them:

Defining a Clear Strategy and Business Plan

There are many common challenges faced by new startups, but one of the most important is creating a clear strategy and business plan. Without a well-defined strategy, it can be difficult to set goals, track progress, and make informed decisions about where to allocate resources.

A good place to start is by clarifying your business model. What problem are you solving? Who is your target market? What are your unique selling points? Once you have a good understanding of your business, you can begin to develop a strategic plan.

Your strategy should answer key questions such as: What are our long-term goals? How will we achieve them? What are our priorities? What are our risks and opportunities? By answering these questions, you can start to develop concrete plans and actions steps.

It’s also important to remember that your strategy will evolve as your business grows and changes. As you gain more experience, you’ll be able to refine and adjust your plans accordingly. The most important thing is to get started and keep moving forward.

Hiring the Right Team

The wrong team can sabotage your business before it even gets off the ground, so it’s important to take your time and find the right fit.

Here are a few tips for hiring the right team:

1. Define your needs. Before you start looking for employees, take some time to sit down and figure out exactly what you need. What skills are essential for your business? What can you live without? By defining your needs ahead of time, you’ll be able to more easily identify the right candidates when you see them.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to finding employees, reach out to friends, family, and other businesses in your industry for recommendations. Chances are someone you know has already gone through the process and can point you in the right direction.

3. Take your time. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a great team. Don’t Rush into hiring just because you feel like you need to fill a position quickly—the best employees are usually those who take their time choosing their next career move.

4. Be prepared to pay for quality. When it comes to hiring, you get what you pay for. If you want top talent, be prepared to offer competitive salaries and benefits packages.

Securing Funding

One of the most common challenges faced by new startups is securing funding. This can be a difficult task, but it is important to remember that there are many sources of funding available.

One option is to seek out angel investors or venture capitalists. These individuals or firms invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity. Another option is to apply for grants from government agencies or private foundations.

Another source of funding is to take out loans from banks or other financial institutions. However, this option should be used with caution, as it can often be difficult to repay these loans if the business is unsuccessful.

Finally, many startups choose to self-finance their businesses by using personal savings or taking on credit card debt. This can be a risky strategy, but it can also be the quickest way to get a business up and running.

No matter which option you choose, remember that securing funding is an essential part of starting a successful business.

Finding Customers/Marketing Strategies

One of the most common challenges faced by new startups is finding customers. Marketing strategies can vary depending on the product or service you offer, your target market, and your budget. Some common marketing strategies include online advertising, PR campaigns, and content marketing. However, it’s important to tailor your marketing strategy to your specific business goals.

For example, if you’re a B2B company targeting other businesses as your customer base, online advertising may not be the most effective way to reach them. Instead, consider creating informative blog articles or whitepapers that can be distributed to potential customers.

If you’re selling a consumer product, on the other hand, online advertising may be a more effective way to reach your target market. You can also use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to connect with potential customers and create brand awareness. No matter what type of business you have or what product or service you offer, it’s important to create a marketing strategy that works for you. By taking the time to research your options and craft a plan that fits your budget and business goals, you’ll be in a much better position to find success as a new startup.

Building Connections with Other Businesses

When you’re first starting out, it can be difficult to know how to connect with other businesses. Whether you’re looking for mentors, suppliers, or customers, building relationships with established businesses is essential to the success of your startup. Here are some tips for overcoming the most common challenges faced by new startups when it comes to connecting with other businesses:

1. Define your goals.

Before you start reaching out to other businesses, take some time to define what you hope to achieve by establishing relationships with them. Do you want to find a mentor who can help guide your business? Are you looking for suppliers who can provide the necessary materials for your product? Knowing what you want to get out of the relationship will help you identify the right businesses to target.

2. Do your research.

Reach out to your personal and professional networks and ask for recommendations. Once you’ve compiled a list of potential businesses to connect with, do your research! Visit their website, read their blog, and follow them on social media. This will give you a better understanding of their business and whether they would be a good fit for what you’re looking for.

3. Introduce yourself.

Once you’ve identified a few businesses that align with your goals, it’s time to reach out and introduce yourself! Start by sending an email or LinkedIn message introducing yourself and explaining why you’d like to connect. Make sure to personalize your message so that it’s clear why you think the relationship will be mutually beneficial.

4. Keep in touch.

Once you’ve established contact, it’s important to maintain the connection. Make sure to reach out and stay in touch with your contacts on a regular basis, whether it’s through email, LinkedIn, or face-to-face meetings. This will help keep the relationship alive and ensure that both parties continue to benefit from the connection over time.

Building relationships with other businesses can be a daunting task for new startups, but by following these tips you can make it much easier to connect and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.

Overcoming Legal Issues & Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with laws and regulations is one of the most common challenges faced by new startups. In order to overcome this challenge, it is important to have a clear understanding of the legal landscape and the applicable regulations.

One of the best ways to gain this understanding is to consult with an experienced startup lawyer. A startup lawyer can help you identify the key legal issues that your startup will face and advise you on compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Another key step in overcoming legal challenges is to put in place robust internal controls. This includes having policies and procedures in place to ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations. It is also important to have someone within your organization who is responsible for monitoring compliance.

If your startup does face any legal issues, it is important to seek advice from a qualified lawyer as soon as possible. Taking prompt action can help to minimize any potential damages or penalties that may be incurred.

Managing Cash Flow Problems

This can be a difficult task, especially for businesses that are just starting out. There are a few things that you can do to help manage your cash flow and keep your business afloat. First, it is important to have a clear understanding of your expenses. Make sure that you know exactly what you need to spend money on and what can be put off until later. Once you have a good handle on your expenses, you can start to look for ways to cut costs. There may be some areas where you can save money by making small changes.

Next, you need to develop a system for tracking your income and expenses. This will help you to see where your money is going and where you need to make adjustments. You can use software or create a spreadsheet to track this information. Doing this will allow you to see where your business stands financially at all times.

Another way to manage cash flow is to keep tabs on your receivables and payables. Make sure that you are billing customers in a timely manner and collecting payments promptly. On the other hand, try to extend payment terms with suppliers whenever possible. This will give you more time to generate revenue before having to pay them back.

Starting a new business is an exciting yet daunting challenge. With the right knowledge and resources, however, it can be done successfully. We hope this article has been helpful in providing you with some insight into how to overcome the most common challenges faced by new startups. Keep these tips in mind as you embark on your entrepreneurial journey and don’t forget to reach out for help when needed. Good luck!