Setting up a new company is an exciting time for anyone, but it also poses many challenges. One of the biggest issues any new business owner faces is finding the right service providers to suit their needs and ensure that their new business hits the ground running. Service partners are vital to the success of your new company, so it’s important that you find the right ones quickly. Here’s a guide on how you can make the best possible choices so that you work with the service partners you need to build your business during the vital initial stages, who will provide you with the support to allow you to carry on with the important work of supporting your new clients.
Consider what services you need
The first thing you need to think about when establishing your new business is what you’ll need. Some services can be undertaken in-house, whereas others will need to be outsourced. If you want to run a small office then you’ll need to outsource more services, whereas if you’re intending to create some departments, such as accounts and IT, then you’ll only need specific services to be outsourced. Whatever you decide, make sure that you know exactly what you’ll need before you set out on your quest to find the perfect service partners.
Here’s a guide on how you can make the best possible choices so that you work with the service partners you need to build your business during the vital initial stages, who will provide you with the support to allow you to carry on with the important work of supporting your new clients, and that includes trademarking your business, which would help in ensuring that you are sole user of the trademarked properties. To know more about it, iGerent can help you in ensuring that you dot all the i’s and cross the t’s
Think about whether you need a retainer or one-off services
Another key consideration for small business owners is whether you need to work with a full-time service partner, or if you can simply pay them for the services you need, when you need them. Many service providers such as lawyers, accountants or consultants can offer you a one-time support service, or work with you over a longer period of time to ensure that your business runs smoothly. Think about each service you will be outsourcing and whether or not you need long term help or simply assistance at specific times of the year, or if a certain event or accident occurs.
Location is important
London is a big city, so make sure that your service provider has an office based near enough to you to be able to provide you with the services you need. This is more important for some services than others; for example, if you’re keen to rent a data centre then you want it to be near enough that you can access it easily and for it to offer you quick connectivity. VIRTUS Data Centres are one of the most recommended companies in London who have data centres in Stockley Park, Slough, Hayes and Enfield meaning wherever you’re based you can access your data and receive instant support and service.
Read the reviews
One of the best ways to gauge how reliable and professional a service provider is to work with is to read the reviews their business has online. Sites such as Trustpilot allow you to see a range of reviews by a variety of different customers. Make sure that you’re objective, as reviews are often only posted if the client has had either an exceptional experience or a very bad one. Look for consistencies in what reviewers say about a business, because if more than one person is noticing something then it is more likely to be a genuine factor that you’ll need to take into account.
Ask around
Similar to the above, another way to learn first-hand how well a service partner performs is to learn from businesses that have worked with them before. To get recommendations and learn more about the service providers in your local area, consider signing up to a networking platform for professionals so that you can find the experienced business owners in the capital and learn about the service providers they prefer and those that they don’t trust.
Ask for a trial
Some service providers try to lock you in for a long-term contract, but this won’t leave you with an option should you find that you’ve made the wrong choice further down the line. To avoid being stuck with a service provider that isn’t meeting your needs, ask each company you’re planning to work with if they can offer you either a free trial or a short-term service so that you can see if they’re right for you before you commit. Any service provider that’s unwilling to work with you in this way may not be flexible and supportive enough to meet your needs anyway, so consider each negotiation as an opportunity to learn more about your potential collaborator.
Build up a rapport
Having identified the suppliers you’d like to work with, create a relationship with them so that you receive the best service they can offer. Anyone will provide a better service to those that they like, rather than the clients that are difficult and impolite. Be kind, supportive and work with them to create the perfect collaboration that will drive your business to success.
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