When starting a small company, you become aquainted with your good friend, the late night. Now for all you nine-till-five folk, the concept of two in the morning and still at work may be a little unfamiliar. Late nights are often the tangible result of “oh crap it’s due tomorrow” syndrome, whose sufferers are either poor at time management or, in the case of all us Neural employees, just have too much work to do.

It’s easy to become disillusioned at the prospect of spending every night sitting in front of your computer working, especially when it’s difficult to see the end in sight. Lack of cashflow, mounting debts and the ever-increasing temptation to trade purely on price often go hand in hand with the inability to forsee the direction and purpose of the company of which you own/manage.

Although it’s all been said before, the best way to maintain focus and direction within a small company is to set goals and meet them. Although they are usually focussed around cashflow and customer subscription, it’s also imporant to set goals for internal business process, such as keeping support calls below a certain threshold, for example. Even if profitability isn’t a short-term achievability, it’s still possible to maintain positive direction and progression by ensuring that both yourself and your employees/directors have clearly defined targets and management objectives for specific time periods.

Motivation and support between members of upper management is one of the most imporant aspects of a successful startup. It’s important to ensure that everyone responsible for the day to day management of the company knows that their contribution is both recognised and appretiated and that, as a result, the progression towards the common goal (whether that be turnover, number of customers, quality of infastructure) is because of their contribution.

Even despite ever increasing workloads, long hours and client melodrama, if the members of your organisation understand that they are appreciated and you acknowlege their contribution and it’s effect on the company’s public image, bottom line and operability, you will end up with a service that is second to none and a team that you know you can rely on.