To run a successful business you need a diverse range of business management skills. When you start your business it’s likely that your responsibilities will include:

sales and marketing;

accounts;

human resources; and

information technology (IT).

How confident do you feel in your ability to manage them?

It’s a good idea to plan ahead of time how you’re going to manage each area which may include delegating various functions to a business partner, undertaking additional training or contracting a specialist advisor such as a bookkeeper, graphic designer or merchandiser.

Remember that although you need to understand, manage and take responsibility for every aspect of your business, you don’t have to do everything yourself. Some of the key areas you’ll need to think about are outlined below.