Common Challenges Faced by Small Businesses
Kenneth Basnight has led several businesses, including Historic Greenbrier Farms and Tidewater Mulch and Material, since becoming president of Chesapeake, Virginia’s Basnight Land and Lawn in 1985. An active member of the landscaping industry, Kenneth “Kent” Basnight is a member of professional groups such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) frequently provides members with articles and tips regarding how to improve business operations, including insight into issues common to small businesses both in and beyond the landscaping industry.
Recruiting suitable employees and properly training these employees rank among the most commonly encountered challenges for small businesses and startups. For example, a Forbes study found that locating the optimal personnel to help expand business activities was the single most disruptive challenge faced by small businesses. Another study determined that 55 percent of managers are too busy to fully train and adequately oversee a sales staff, with a third report linking the quality of a company’s sales staff to organizational growth.
Finally, small businesses must prepare themselves for a variety of marketing challenges. The majority of small business leaders say that finding new leads and generating consistent traffic is the biggest issue when it comes to marketing services and products, according to HubSports findings. These issues can often be related to relying on outdated marketing techniques, such as cold calling and direct mail, instead of inbound marketing strategies like social media.
The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) frequently provides members with articles and tips regarding how to improve business operations, including insight into issues common to small businesses both in and beyond the landscaping industry.
Recruiting suitable employees and properly training these employees rank among the most commonly encountered challenges for small businesses and startups. For example, a Forbes study found that locating the optimal personnel to help expand business activities was the single most disruptive challenge faced by small businesses. Another study determined that 55 percent of managers are too busy to fully train and adequately oversee a sales staff, with a third report linking the quality of a company’s sales staff to organizational growth.
Finally, small businesses must prepare themselves for a variety of marketing challenges. The majority of small business leaders say that finding new leads and generating consistent traffic is the biggest issue when it comes to marketing services and products, according to HubSports findings. These issues can often be related to relying on outdated marketing techniques, such as cold calling and direct mail, instead of inbound marketing strategies like social media.
