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IF YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED weaknesses in specific skills, you must ensure that these are covered, as this could make the difference between the success or failure of your business.

Having a group of external advisers to call on — early on — can help you get your business off on the right foot, and keep it there.

You need to find a professional who is prepared to look forward with the business and explore the options. For example, a company can apply for a particular type of loan and be turned down, or they could work with the bank/accountant to determine the range of options on how a funding requirement could be met.

”With good information you can push the professionals to deliver more.

This is where specialist support organisations and peer-to-peer business networks can help.