Go and sweat the research stuff, expert says

Cape Town - Go and sweat the research stuff. That is the message from a leading business advisor to a hopeful business owner seeking advice to start a transport company.

Fin24 user Rulani Graham asked for tips and advice to a start a transport service company.

“I have a Toyota Hilux bakkie to kick start the business; however, I want to grow it into a big transport service company,” said Graham. “What are the things that I must look out for when I start?”

MindPiliot's Bertie du Plessis gives his advice:

First try and get the small stuff right, said Du Plessis. “It is way to go to a large transport company from where you are,” he said.

Bertie said before starting the business, Graham should ask these questions:

- What are you going to focus on with you Toyota Hilux? Garden rubbish, helping people move?
- Have you spoken to anybody who has a pickup and does transport?
- How much back-breaking work is there going to be for which you would need strong physical labour?
- What about pricing?

“The quickest way to learn is to put yourself in the position of the client,” said Du Plessis. “Be prepared to spend some money on market research.”

“Find advertisements for small transport companies,” said Du Plessis. “Hire them to transport your garden refuse, furniture, anything to family and back. See how they do it and what they charge.”

“Have you done these,” asked Du Plessis. “If not, first do this and then come back for answers.”

- Fin24.