| If you’re saying, “It’s time to get my | | | | in a solid contingency plan. |
| computer repair business off the ground,” | | | | 1. Changes in Your Niche. Most computer repair |
| then you need to think seriously about | | | | professionals find great success when they focus |
| contingency plans. | | | | on a specific industry niche and solving its unique |
| When hearing the phrase contingency planning, | | | | IT problems. But what do you do if your niche |
| many in the computer repair business and small | | | | dries up or turns out to be unable to support your |
| business IT industry automatically think of hot | | | | business? Think about VARs focusing on real |
| spares, off-site business continuity, data | | | | estate as the market imploded in 2008 ... or |
| replication, and diesel generators. And sure these | | | | solution providers catering to automotive dealers |
| are all important areas for you to work on with | | | | that are currently on government subsidized |
| your clients. However what about protecting | | | | life-support. You need to have an alternative |
| your new computer repair business from even | | | | plan of action to roll with the punches if you |
| more certain non-IT-related business-interruptions? | | | | can’t find sufficient client projects within your |
| Contingency plans are absolutely critical for | | | | originally-chosen niche or niches. |
| first-year business success. If you have a | | | | 2. Labor Market Issues. If you’ve said, |
| contingency plan, you’ll be able to deal with | | | | “Now’s the time to start my computer |
| the curve balls that get thrown at you; because | | | | repair business,” you need to think about who |
| even if you do great research and plan diligently, | | | | will help you deliver your services to your valued |
| you’re going to encounter a mixture of good | | | | clients as your company grows. You have to |
| and bad surprises. | | | | plan for a lack of availability of contract workers |
| You don’t want to get caught without a | | | | or employees. You need to be able to continue |
| contingency plan. Positive and negative things will | | | | to provide solutions to your clients, even if you |
| happen, and you need to be able to weather the | | | | find yourself short staffed. |
| ups and downs of your business. The more | | | | 3. Comfort Level with Software. What do you do |
| thought and time you put into a contingency plan, | | | | if you decide to work with a specific type of |
| the more you will be on track for success and be | | | | business that uses a particular software… but |
| able to avoid getting derailed as you make the | | | | then find out this particular market does not really |
| definitive choice and say, “I am ready to start | | | | need the solutions you provide? You need to be |
| my computer repair business!” | | | | able to branch out into different target markets if |
| Now normally this kind of contingency planning is | | | | one of your chosen specialties ends up not being |
| part of writing a business plan, under the heading | | | | a great profit center. This means you need to |
| of Risks. However since writing a business plan | | | | include working with other types of clients in your |
| gets the kind of procrastination typically only | | | | contingency plan, which often will mean knowing |
| reserved for the elliptical machine you bought for | | | | about more than just one type of software. |
| your family room, that's now serving as a coat | | | | 4. Strategic Alliances Between Competitors. While |
| rack. Or the vacation home you splurged on | | | | you need to focus on the concept of “my |
| that sits empty 53 weeks a year. It probably | | | | computer repair business,” you also need to |
| makes sense to tackle your contingency planning | | | | pay attention to your competitors. How will you |
| right now. | | | | keep your business alive if there are mergers or |
| When you create a plan to handle business curve | | | | alliances within your industry that affect your |
| balls, you need to list out anything you can think | | | | ability to attract clients? You need to think about |
| of that will negatively impact or threaten your | | | | your competitors as you develop a plan for the |
| business. A thorough contingency plan address | | | | future of your business and be prepared when |
| 15 - 20 reasonable possibilities that could affect | | | | the business climate changes. |
| your ability to remain profitable, or even in | | | | In this article we discussed 4 items that should be |
| business and are outside your control. The | | | | included in a contingency plan for your repair |
| following are 4 of the areas that must be included | | | | business. |