It’s not been an easy year for businesses, and that’s an understatement. The Coronavirus pandemic brought an unprecedented amount of turmoil, from lockdown to layoffs, from office closures to online pivoting, and throughout all of this year the uncertainty over Brexit has rumbled on.
As bleak as things have been in 2020, it was vital to remember that slowing down and stopping was never an option. Businesses that have been able to adapt have thrived, and we’ve all found new ways to change our thinking, ditch some outdated practices and move forward. As we head into 2021, an optimistic outlook is vital, but so is preparation. If you’re planning on starting a new business in the coming year, here are some important things to remember.
Things Won’t Go Back To Normal Immediately
It was recently announced that the UK had started rolling out its vaccine programme and a nation breathed a collective sigh of relief. As countries around the world begin their own procedures to vaccinate their citizens, we’ll start to see a return to the way things were before anyone had heard of COVID-19…but it won’t be quick and it won’t be easy. The changes brought about by the pandemic will have long-reaching consequences, many of which we will only start to understand in 2021, so you can’t afford to bank on the same things that worked in 2019. Stay flexible, stay mobile and stay safe.
Brexit Will Finally Happen
It doesn’t matter what you think about the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, the fact is that in 2021, it’s finally going to happen. The process has been a long and complicated one with more twists and turns than a whodunit movie, and it will be a challenging environment in which to launch a new business. If you’re planning on setting up a company in the EU to trade with the UK, it’s going to be vital to stay on top of your taxes and VAT returns. Say you want to set up a business in the Netherlands, one of the most enticing nations for fledgling companies, you will not only need to understand the local taxes, but all your tax structures and licenses involving British companies will need to be revised and retaining the services of a local accountancy team will be crucial. For more information on Dutch accountants, INCO Business Group can offer all the tools you need, as well as many more options for assistance with founding a company in the Netherlands.
Build Your Online Brand
Having a formidable, hard-working online presence has never been more important than in the year of the pandemic, and it’s shown every business in every sector the importance of not only being reachable but having a personality. As each and every company strives to stand out in the flood of online searches conducted from the sofa, you need to make sure that you don’t get lost. While many are cutting back on advertising spending in this time of great financial uncertainty, it’s crucial that you spend the time and resources to get your brand out there.
