You wrote your business plan, secured funding, and turned your dream into a reality. While you were aware of the possibility that your venture might fail, you have weathered the startup storm. Profits are good, the business is in the black, and you’re looking forward to a bright future. Then, everything begins to slow down. The initial burst of enthusiasm from customers fades, the orders are scarce, and you begin to worry. What’s going on? If you have experienced this before, you’re far from alone. It’s called the six-month hitch.
What is the six-month hitch?
First and foremost, it’s more of a concept than an idea. The “six months” is just a common guideline, not a cemented definitive timeline. Essentially, it means a point where a business has cruised past the startup phase, seems to be running well, and then seems to falter. Six months is a common timeframe for this occurrence, but it can be up to a year. The good news is that this hitch, whenever it occurs, is completely natural.
Isn’t it a bad thing?
Sure, business slowing down is never a good thing – but it’s also to be expected.
Why is that?
The launch of a new business is an exciting time and, most importantly, it’s the point at which months of planning is turned into action. Most entrepreneurs devote a huge amount of time and energy to their launch in an effort to create a buzz, and a sense of dynamism, that all new ventures need. This is hugely beneficial, but it’s not sustainable. No business can remain in full-on, full-velocity “launch mode” all the time. The hitch is a sign that your business is evolving. It’s moving from being a young startup into a more established business – and overall, that’s a good thing.
So a hitch isn’t a bad sign?
It depends entirely on the severity of the hitch and the potential causes. If your business has ground to a halt or has been on the receiving end of bad publicity that is causing customers to turn away in droves, that’s a problem. However, if it is just a slow-down, and is not connected to any apparent external factor, then a hitch should be seen as completely normal.
What should I do if (or when) my business experiences a hitch?
If there is an external influence or problem causing your hitch, focus on solving this as a priority.
If, however, business has just slowed down due to the transition from launch mode to established business, then just keep doing what you’re doing. Examine the core areas of your business, adding assistance if it may be beneficial; you could use a search engine optimization company in order to create a long-term digital marketing strategy, or seek advice on improving your customer service skills, but you don’t need to make radical changes to the main function of the business. Just focus on transitioning to strategies that can help you sustain the success you have already enjoyed.
In Conclusion
The six-month hitch is a time of reflection. Look at what you have done well, double down on what works, and – if necessary – troubleshoot any problems. Most of all, try to remain calm; the hitch is entirely natural, and can actually be taken as a sign that your business is transitioning from an exciting startup to a viable, long-term business.
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