Owning a company goes way beyond just handling a side business, you must understand that there are certain requirements to be met before your enterprise can be considered a company.
However, if you are interested in owning a company in the near future, or you are already on the verge of opening one, you will need to be properly guided on the prerequisites of a company and also have the knowledge of things to put into consideration before opening one.
Count yourself lucky, as this article will enlighten you on important things to look out for.
What Is a Company
It is a legal entity that represents a group of persons who created it for the purpose of carrying out business and making profits. It is considered a category of business that has a complex structure, with a more advanced set-up as a result of the legal obligation required for its existence.
It should be noted that it stands as a legal entity of its own; which means legally, it is seen as an artificial person. This makes it separate from its owners. The owners are called shareholders.
A corporation can incur debts, sue, and be sued. Shareholders will not be sued for actions taken by the company, and the company has no business dealing with personal debts owed by its members. A document only needs to bear the company’s seal to legally bind the company. You can easily deduce from this that a company will continue to exist even if one of its members dies.
Here are 8 things to consider when opening a company:
- Capital and Finance
Finance is also referred to as a company’s fuel. It is impossible to start a business without a steady source of funding. It is critical that you have a plan in place for where and how you will obtain funds for your large project. The nature of your business is a factor in determining your company’s start-up capital.
Personal savings or a short or long-term loan can provide funds. Most people prefer to use saved funds in the early stages of their business. It is regarded as a safe strategy.
Consider how much money you want to start with and what you want to spend it on. It is also a good idea to set aside a 20% contingency fund in case of unforeseen circumstances. Money raised at this point should be enough to keep your company running for at least two years. Although raising funds is not an easy task for stakeholders because it takes time, it is better to take your time and get it right.
- Location
Another critical factor is location. You should ensure that your company is located in a highly profitable area that is both accessible to customers or clients and close to raw materials. Areas with stable electricity, water, and other utilities, as well as a fair tax rate and easy transportation, should be considered. Aside from that, human resources are extremely important.
When choosing a location, make sure it fits the type of business you want to run and encourages growth.
- Formation
It is critical to determine the structure in which the company will operate. There are various structures to choose from, depending on available funds and business members. The following are the various structures from which to choose:
- Single-Person Business:
It is the simplest and most common organizational structure, allowing the owner(s) complete control over the company’s business operations. However, this type of company provides no protection for owners, as they are personally liable for any debts incurred while running the business.
- Limited Liability:
This is the newest structure. As the name implies, these companies have limited protection and for this reason, insurance companies and banks are not allowed to function with the structure. If this is your preferred option, you can look online for limited company formation packages that you might be interested in. Companies that are limited liability can also be managed and run like partnerships.
- Partnership:
It is when a group of people work together to run a business. They each have an equal share of the profits and losses incurred while running the business. They are accountable for the company’s obligations and financial debt, as well as the actions of co-partners. This partnership should be in writing so that it can be used as evidence in the event of a lawsuit or a disagreement between partners.
- Corporate Structure
This organizational structure is extremely complicated. It separates the owners’ obligations and liabilities from the company’s operations. These businesses are governed by state laws, which vary by state.
- Employees
Employees are one of the most important aspects of any business. Their contribution is crucial in determining the company’s future and overall success. Ensure your workforce’s effectiveness and competency.
When it comes to staffing your company, you must find a way to select the best people for the job. It is prudent to investigate the best recruitment methods to ensure that your workforce possesses the necessary qualities to meet your company’s requirements. Make a list of motivational techniques that you can use on occasion.
- Market
You can conduct a survey to get a better understanding of the details required for your product demand. Your survey should be able to answer the following questions:
- The current market size with projected customers.
- If there is room for growth in the near future.
- Your fair share.
- What the buying nature is and how it can be incorporated.
- Regulations
It is critical to understand the regulations that apply to your product. Advertising, environmental impact, labor, health/safety, and privacy are all regulated by the government. Certain regulations have the potential to stifle innovation and reduce efficiency.
- Technology
In the twenty-first century, technology has taken over every sector, including business. As someone thinking about starting a business, you should be well-versed in the impact of technology on business. Technology has a significant impact on performance, and you can obtain all of the necessary information on how to start and run your own business.
- Brand
As a startup, you must identify your brand, build on it, and sell it to the public. So, you should consider what your company will be known for. Take the time to learn about branding and how to scale up the market with competing brands.