RISK MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS
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Risk Assessment for expansion
The risks of business are real. Otherwise, everyone would grow their business. Risks fall into
many categories including personal, business and competitive.
By acknowledging the risks, you can seek out solutions, learn from others who have faced the
same challenges, and gain confidence in forging on with your business expansion strategies.
As you do look around for help from your employees, suppliers, partners and customers. You
may be surprised to find out how much support you have!
1. Personal Risks: Stress, No Family Time, Loss of Control.
If you think that business expansion is not going to affect your loved ones, and your health and
personal finances, and that they can be separated from the ongoing pressures of growing your
business - you are misinformed. Safeguard against poor health by getting regular exercise, eating
well and spending quality time (vs. quantity time) with your family members.
Choose your business partners just as wisely as you choose your friends/family. Bringing on
business partners and signing covenants can feel to an entrepreneur like they are losing control
and independence. Would you like to own 50% of a multi-million dollar business or 100% of a
$100,000 business? If you cannot grow without taking on a new partner, then the three questions
to ask yourself when evaluating a potential partnership's worth are:
Is it a good fit strategically?
Is it a good fit operationally?
Could you spend a week on a boat with this person(s)?
2. Business Risks: Instability, Ineffective Management, Financial Loss.
Business growth brings pressures to a system that may not have had the time/experience to get
geared up for increased production or services. New timings of payables/receivables may create
a financial strain. Customers may feel underserved. Employees may be uneasy about all the
changes. The owner(s) and management may not have the right skills. This is a good time for a
soul-searching examination of strengths and weaknesses. Do you have enough of the right stuff?
3. Competitive Risks: Unknown Markets, Aggressive Competitors, Unfamiliar Terrain.
Growing is the next big challenge for a business owner - it's exciting and new. That part is
familiar. Pushing your existing product into new markets, or new products into existing markets
will be unfamiliar and may have unanticipated results (EDWARDS, 2016). Also as you push up