In the beginning, most entrepreneurs have no idea how (or if) their company is going to grow. They merely have an idea, a motivation to see their plan come to fruition, and an inkling that it can turn into something more.

As there are so many moving parts when it comes to starting a business — and generally only one or two people to manage those moving parts — there are some elements that get overlooked and pushed to the bottom of the mighty “to-do” list. This can be problematic when it relates to something as crucial as keeping your firm protected.

To help out all the entrepreneurs, even if you are just starting, here are three crucial steps to ensure you are protecting your company on all fronts.

1. Hire corporate lawyers.

First things first: From the get-go, you need to have some kind of legal representation. Too many entrepreneurs and small business owners overlook the fact that there are so many parts of their company that could potentially lead to legal trouble. Obviously, you don’t want this to happen, but it is still best to ensure that you are covered in case it does. Should you find yourself in legal hot water, you will thank yourself for having this foresight.

Even when setting up your company, there are common scenarios in which it is best to have professional legal advice. These scenarios include when you are choosing a designated legal entity, writing up an agreement among founders, signing contracts and leases, and raising capital.

Generally, when it comes to hiring legal help, prevention is better than cure. This means that it is highly recommended that you reach out to top law firms in Dubai (or wherever you reside) as soon as possible so that you can get accustomed to them, and vice-versa.

2. Protect your intellectual property.

Another aspect of your business that you want to protect from the get-go is your intellectual property; otherwise, you won’t have anything that differentiates your company from your competitors. After all, your intellectual property is what makes you unique and is at the very core of what makes your products or services innovative and different. So why would you not do everything in your power to ensure it remained your own?

Generally, there are three types of intellectual property protection (trademarks, copyrights, patents) which are each applied to different aspects of your intellectual property.

Trademarks cover logos, company names, phrases, and symbols. Copyrights safeguard original works. Patents protect manufacturing or design processes.

Whether your company requires one of these protections or all three, the critical matter is that you take the steps necessary to protect them. As these protections don’t necessarily extend around the globe, when you are going through the process, make sure to think about which areas of the world you plan on selling your goods and services to, so that you can be proactive in filing for those locales, as well as with a GCC patent or something similar.

3. Guard your data.

In 2019, you need to be on high alert when it comes to protecting your firm’s data. Cybercrime is a significant threat to all kinds of businesses, and it is up to you to make your data as secure as possible.

Start by using an email encryption and security solution that ensures the intended recipients can only read your messages.

Additionally, work on crafting and establishing a security policy so that everyone involved in the company (even if it is just a couple of people) is clear on how to correctly handle company data.

Furthermore, within this policy, do regular due diligence with the firms that store your data. Ask them about their security standards and procedures and ensure that they line up with yours.

Finally, make sure you are continually updating your systems and software so that they are running the most up-to-date versions. Also, regularly back-up crucial information and data so that you will still have access to it should your computers or emails become compromised.

What steps are you taking this year to protect your business? Is there anything you wish you had done sooner? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

AUTHOR BIO

Sharon Danso-Missah is the Head of Marketing at Al Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the Middle East, with 17 offices across nine countries. Established in 1989, they are a full service commercial firm combining knowledge, experience and expertise to ensure all clients have access to the best legal solutions that are commercially sound and cost effective.

Business owners who want their companies to be as cutting edge and competitive as possible this year should know that they can realize their objective. One of the keys to generating growth is tapping into the power of implementing behavioral and ideological shifts. Below you’ll find three shifts that can help you realize this objective:

1. Stop Trying To Do Everything Yourself.

In many cases, business owners develop leadership skills and professional mindsets which entail the unconscious or conscious belief that they have to take the reins at all times. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, this approach to work can be disadvantageous inasmuch as it can alienate you from your staff while also leading to excessively high stress levels. With this reality in mind, tap into the power of letting others help you. For example, business owners who are attempting to get their sales strategies off the ground can attain professional assistance from industry experts like Saleslink. This company is known to provide great resources like hardware manufacturers representatives IL residents can rely on to offer substantive services.

2. Empower Your Team.

Empowering your team is one of the most effective shifts you can make for your business. The shift is behavioral and ideological. The behavioral change involves you consciously and continually delegating important tasks to employees you think possess the knowledge and experience to handle them. The ideological shift involves recognizing that making your company successful requires that you place primacy on the development of your staff members. There are numerous techniques you can employ to empower your team, and one is providing them with ongoing opportunities to expand their knowledge base. Examples would include trainings, workshops, and online courses.

3. Maximize Your Marketing Efforts.

One final behavioral shift you should implement is maximizing your marketing efforts. In many cases, business owners tolerate mediocre marketing efforts because their current plan is generating some results. Yet if you want your company to be really excellent, it’s important to realize that “some results” is not enough. You want mind-blowing conversion rates and an ever-increasing base of clients who are constantly raving about the value of your brand to everyone in their social network. To make this happen, you should examine your current marketing efforts and make the changes necessary to ensure that you’re effectively advertising your company’s product and service line to the target audience.

Start Making Changes Now So You Can See Real Results!

Three business changes that you can make to ensure that your company becomes increasingly powerful include letting others help you, empowering your team, and maximizing your marketing efforts. Start making these shifts now so your organization can see dynamic growth as the year unfolds!