It’s highly likely that you’ve come across the saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ at some point in your life. This usually applies to health, but it’s also a mantra that should be adopted by budding entrepreneurs.

There are so many obstacles that can lie in the way of creating a successful business, and if you can prevent problems, rather than trying to survive the aftermath, this will increase your chances of pulling through and beating the odds.

Here are just some of the reasons why risk analysis is so important for new companies.

Promoting health and safety

Health and safety should be a concern for every business owner. It doesn’t matter whether you own a shop, a cafe, a warehouse or a construction company, or you employ 2 or 200 people, it’s your duty to ensure that every employee is safe.

Carry out regular risk assessments, record details of accidents and make sure your employees have access to suitable protective equipment. You should ensure that you meet health and safety guidelines and you take additional steps to try and minimize the risk of work accidents. If you fail to adhere to the regulations and one of your workers sustains injuries, you may be liable.

Being aware of hurdles you may hit

Risk analysis can help you visualize hurdles before they pop up and make you stumble. Every business faces a unique set of threats, and you should be aware of the kinds of risks you face. If you’re aware of potential dangers, you can prepare in advance, and you can take steps to prevent issues from arising and ensure you can respond quickly.

Consider running a clinic. As the owner, you should be aware of the responsibility you have to provide customers and patients with the level of care they expect. If you don’t, you may start to receive calls from medical malpractice lawyers.

Another example is an online retailer. If you sell products on your website and clients complain about the quality of the product, you may be forced to hand out refunds, and you might also have to contend with negative reviews, which affect the reputation of your brand.

Creating a Plan B

Almost every business will encounter hiccups along the way. If you use risk analysis techniques and you anticipate potential issues, this can enable you to draw up plans to bring into action. If you can respond instantly, this will minimize the impact and help you to increase the chances of staying on track.

Increasing financial stability

One of the most common reasons new businesses fold is a lack of financial stability. If you keep a close eye on your books and you can cater for unexpected costs that may arise, this will help you to avoid cash flow issues and increase your chances of turning over a profit. It’s always wise to have contingency plans, but they only work if they are financed properly.

Do you run a new business or are you preparing to launch a venture in a bid to hit the big time? If so, it pays to be aware of the risks associated with being a company director. If you can anticipate problems and prepare in advance, this will help you to keep your company on an even keel.