Why you can’t be too trusting with your small business

By Henry Brown

Small businesses have a reputation for being ’nice.’ While a large corporation can be intimidating to work with, a smaller business might have a friendlier air about it that creates trust and lasting relationships.

While this is by no means a negative for your business, it can make you more vulnerable. Being too trusting can have its downsides, which can cause problems for your business. Learn more about the ways you can protect your business to help keep it strong without losing your reputation for being a great business to work with.

Safeguard your systems

Just because you’re a small business, doesn’t mean you’re not a target for cybercriminals. Cybersecurity is important to your small business, so it’s important to make sure all of your systems feature the appropriate threat protection. You should also make sure employees know how to identify and avoid threats online to stop them compromising systems that could lead to breaches of your business or customer data.

Be strict with your finances

As a small business, your budgets are going to be small. Being too lenient with payment terms or extending credit lines to clients could cause you some serious problems in the future. Should a company fail to pay you, or a supplier goes bust after you’ve handed over a lot of money, it could ruin your business. Having insurance in place can protect you against financial problems, but avoiding them in the first place by being strict with your payments can put you in the most secure position.

Protect your employees

Your employees’ security should be a top priority for your business. You need to make sure they feel safe at work, while also making sure your workplace is protected too. IAM solutions can help protect your business online, providing that extra security and assurance employees need to work effectively. Remember to review your policies regularly to help maintain ongoing protection for your business.

Shout about your business

Small businesses need to have their moment in the spotlight, so why not shout about your work? From entering into awards to maintaining an effective business blog, you can put your name out there. Many SMEs are able to grow their business using strategies such as sharing knowledge and taking part in conferences that can start getting your work noticed by more people. Big businesses are always ready to boast about their achievements, so make sure you give your business a voice and a platform to do the same.

All businesses need to be extra vigilant when it comes to trust and security. Data breaches can be a disaster for any business, but a small business could struggle to recover. Take steps to protect your business from the threats it could face and build a company that’s stronger than ever. Being able to build trust is important, but don’t let the trusting and friendly nature of your business be its downfall.

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Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop, he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.

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