{"id":2223,"date":"2018-01-10T11:31:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-10T11:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/?p=2223"},"modified":"2018-01-10T11:31:32","modified_gmt":"2018-01-10T11:31:32","slug":"obstacles-business-success-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bainesjewitt.co.uk\/blog\/obstacles-business-success-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"What are your obstacles to business success in 2018?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Industry publication startups.co.uk has asked its audience what is the biggest challenge their business is facing in 2018.<\/p>\n

Between dealing with investors, managing cashflow, and developing an effective market strategy, attracting new customers is the number one issue, according to a third (34 per cent) of small businesses.<\/p>\n

This was followed up by access to finance, cited by three in 10 (29 per cent) participants.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite how crucial these two areas are to the success of a business, the findings highlight how difficult it can be for you and your peers to get investors and customers to fall in love with your business,\u201d said the report<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Around half of business owners said they have found, or are finding it difficult, to secure funding \u2013 with just four per cent saying it was \u201ceasy\u201d.<\/p>\n

Those who have struggled say it took on average two to four attempts to successfully raise investment, while 29 per cent said they spent \u201cmonths\u201d preparing to get their pitch \u201cinvestment-ready\u201d.<\/p>\n

And 40 per cent of startups say they have not yet secured any funding at all.<\/p>\n

The findings \u201chighlight the need for support and advice for small businesses that are struggling with marketing and funding\u201d, added the report.<\/p>\n

Startups.co.uk also found:<\/p>\n