We interviewed the engineer Sandra Felsenstein, Director of the DINKA consultancy, specialized in advising SME Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs, and reveals the essential keys to turn a project into a successful business.
Lalala: What are the main steps you recommend to leave work in a dependency relationship and go it alone??
Sandra Felsenstein: Before leaving the job in a dependency relationship, we have to be clear about the bases of our new venture. Analyze its viability, have a business plan, projections, etc. lined up with this, we must make an economic forecast, since the new project will probably not obtain positive results immediately, so we must estimate, plus how much should we invest, how we will solve the periods when the results are negative (That is why it is important to have a lot of information.: what our break-even point will be and make a prior economic-financial analysis as objective as possible).
Lalala: How to know if an idea is original and has commercial potential?
S. F.: The most important thing for a successful project, not necessarily originality, but if its potential. The important thing is the added value that we are going to give to our proposal, and how we are going to differentiate ourselves from our competitors, if they exist. Namely, the idea may not be entirely new, It can be a product or service that exists in the market, but that we are going to offer it with a differential value that will make our proposal better. This differential can be in terms of the product or service itself, regarding its distribution, after-sales service, etc. I believe that this added value, the differential, is more important than the originality of the idea. in addition, commercial potential is essential. This evaluation is carried out with a thorough evaluation of the market and subsequently, understanding if there is a place for my product or service, at what price, with what costs, etc.
Lalala: Is it advisable to associate with a friend or partner?
S. F.: For companies to be successful, I believe that certain conditions must be met between the partners: – Trust (both in the literal sense of the word and in relation to the other's ability to work) – Complementary profiles – couple working energy – similar needs – Well defined and defined roles and functions When associating with a partner or friend there is always the risk that a problem at work alters the personal relationship, but there are cases where this type of company works. What I consider essential is that if you decide to join, esta decisión sea porque realmente se cumplen estas condiciones y no por pensamientos como “es mi amigo, quiero trabajar con él/ella así pasamos más tiempo juntos” O “me siento solo, querría compartir esto con alguien”, “es mi pareja/amigo y no tiene trabajo, si lo asocio le doy una mano”, etc.
Regarding the previous points:
– Trust: refers both in the literal sense of the word and in relation to the other's ability to work, namely, that I trust him or her that the job at hand, will solve it efficiently.
– Complementary profiles: if I am creative for example, that my partner has a commercial administrative profile; yes i am a technician, that my partner is more creative, etc.
– couple working energy: that we both dedicate the same workload, work intensity, Energy, etc. Otherwise, This must be scheduled in advance and reflected in different salaries, for example, or company participation..
– similar needs: in terms of project expectations. is it a hobby? I want to live from this? How soon does each need to start seeing financial results?? do i need this to live? Do I have capital to invest?? If the answers are not similar for both partners, there will surely be a future clash.
– Well delimited and defined roles and functions: this is essential, especially for partnerships between friends or couples. to avoid friction, arguments and fights, it is very important that each one has their role and function within the company well defined and as I mentioned before, that the other trusts the performance of his peer in this aspect.
Lalala: ¿Cuáles son los pros de ser nuestro “propio jefe”?
S. F.: the pros are: manage our time, make decisions for ourselves, usually involves much higher motivation, choose the course and above all, when you have a passion for your project, feel that you are giving everything for him.
Lalala: What are the cons of being an entrepreneur?
S. F.: To be a successful entrepreneur it is essential to have a lot of drive, conviction for what you want to achieve, enthusiasm, self motivation, conduct for work. If any of this is missing, the venture is likely to be unsuccessful. On the other side, you have to be able to deal with uncertainty, saber que haya “momentos mejores y momentos peores”, and not having the security of having a salary at the end of the month. On the other side, a good boss (Leader) fulfills the mission of motivator. In the case of own business, the entrepreneur is the one who must motivate his work team. Motivate others without someone to motivate us, is an important challenge that a good entrepreneur must learn.
Link: https://lalalanews.com.ar/lifestyle/-sumate-a-la-ola-emprendedora-_n395
