For the experienced shipbroker. Should you start your own business?
I think there has always been enormous potential for experienced shipping executives to start their own shops. But surprisingly, considering the the potential rewards and the relative ease by which this can be done, shipping executives seem to be surprisingly reluctant to move out of established comfort zones.
Why the reluctance? Possible reasons...
1. Broking different to running a bisiness
2. Happy earning a wage
3. General malaise and inertia.
4. Having a mindset that it is all too difficult.
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So from above, what skills and traits should an already experienced shipping executive have before taking the plunge?
- An Entrepreneurial Spirit.
- A good reason!
- A willingness to work hard....especially in the early stages upto 12 months or 2 years.
- Time to build the business.
- Competent at your job and at establishing systems.
- For the sole proprietor - the ability to delegate, outsource and create a business that makes you money but allows you to have a life at the same time.
"Apart from the actual negotiation process just about every other service; operations, postfixture, secretarial, marketing, market reports; that other shipbroking companies offer, can be outsourced!"
Actually - even the negotiation process can be outsourced under certain circumstances!
- Some clients, preferably close clients (may even just be one),
So for those of you with experience and looking for a change, think about working for yourself.
Follow a process, do your homework, canvas support, be creative in the way you set up your business and then weigh up your chances for success.
Good Luck
The Virtual Shipbroker
I think being an entrepeneur may be time consuming, frustrating and risky sometimes but is also rewarding. When you fail is your fault but when you have sucess is product of your effort too, so having your own company is not just about earning more money but to grow personally as your company does it.
ReplyDeleteI agree totally that being a former employee in a larger company than your start up may be a good way or even the best to have sucess. This way you will have not just the technical knowledge of the industry but also knowledge about how a company is organized inside. Sometimes small companies or sole traders tend to minimize the importance for them of writing a well organized business plan prior to start operations or quality management. A lot of people think those things are just for large companies, but all the companies whether big or not need to have an strategy finding its own place in the market and need to apply quality in its services to satisfy clients to have sucess.
I agree that outsourcing is very powerful and even desirable for the entrepeneur when starting. This way you can have your costs under control on an on-demand basis. You always have time later to hire skilled employees if demand for your services grow.
Best regards,
David
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteI am interested to know how much is the standard commission for sale purchase of ships. Whether broker gets commission from both buyer and seller?
and second question is how brokers know about the ships that are ready for sale/
thanks
Krishanu
ReplyDelete1 percent of the sales price. Re your second question - that is the role of the broker - to know what ships are for sale and who wants to buy them! Read my books any you will see!
Cheers
VS