Natasha Thompson, MD of Clash (Banbridge Academy) last year’s Company of the Year Winners for Northern Ireland, shares her Top 10 Tips for a Successful Company:

Tip 1: GET THE RIGHT PRODUCT – you must carry out market research to see if there is a need for your product and if it would sell
Tip 2: EMBRACE CHANGE – it may provide a market opportunity (e.g credit crunch, rising oil prices, internet shopping)
Tip 3: TEST THE PRODUCT – to guarantee it does what you say it does
Tip 4: TEST THE MARKET – to conclude if it would sell and at what price
Tip 5: AVOID FALSE ADVERTISING – this just upsets customers, earns you a bad reputation and causes poor sales
Tip 6: GET YOUR TEAM ON BOARD – the whole team needs to co-operate and be fully behind the product in order for your company to be successful
Tip 7: DON’T FOOL YOURSELF – You have to be honest with yourself about what you are doing. You may think your idea is the best thing since sliced bread but seeking another opinion may prove this wrong
Tip 8: MAKE DECISIONS – that are beneficial to the company, don’t waste time – it’s money, vote for suitable candidates for each role and respect their authority
Tip 9: COMMON SENSE – it goes a long way!
Tip 10: HAVE FUN! – it’s a great learning experience