The Importance of Soft Launching a New Business

Welcome back to consecutive day 1247 of my running diary where I explore the ups and downs of life through the lens of a rampant runner. Today, I want to discuss a highly crucial topic for anyone embarking on the exhilarating journey of starting a new business—the importance of a soft launch. But first, a quick reminder: make sure to subscribe, share, like, and comment on this blog. The more people we reach, the more funds we can raise for my mission to save children through my ultimate ultra marathon challenge. All pertinent information about this charity effort is in the links below. Thank you for your ongoing support. Let's dive in.

As some of you may know from previous posts, we are all set to launch our new café business on the 1st of November—just two days away! However, this journey has highlighted for me the absolute need for a soft launch. So, what exactly is a soft launch, and why is it so integral to the process?

A soft launch is essentially a trial run. It's a preliminary launch of your business, wherein you open your doors to a limited audience before the grand opening. This approach is especially crucial for physical businesses where customer service is a face-to-face interaction. There's a significant difference between handling customer inquiries online versus addressing them directly, looking them in the eyes. Both scenarios demand excellent customer service, but the pressure and immediacy in physical interactions can be considerably higher.

We all know that launching a new business, regardless of the planning and preparation poured into it, inevitably encounters unforeseen issues—teething problems, as I like to call them. No matter how meticulously we plan, elements of the unknown will always appear. But rather than viewing these surprises as pitfalls, I see them as challenges that, if handled correctly, can elevate the business's credibility. The key is to confront these challenges with a solution-oriented mindset, effective communication, and utmost professionalism.

One can argue that how you handle mistakes is more telling and impactful than the mistakes themselves. Mistakes will happen; they are a natural part of any business. What's pivotal is how you handle them. Dealing with issues openly and honestly, and most importantly, with integrity, can turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one. When customers see that you care and go above and beyond to rectify a mistake, it fosters trust and loyalty.

Given this perspective, we've decided to host a soft launch event before our official opening. We've invited close friends, family, suppliers, and neighboring businesses to this event. They all have a vested interest in our success and, crucially, will provide us with honest feedback. Their insights will be invaluable in smoothing out any rough edges before we welcome a broader audience.

Preparing for this soft launch hasn't been without its challenges. We're working right down to the wire, getting menus printed, conducting point-of-sale (PoS) training for our staff, and setting up final touches like barista training sessions. Yet, I believe the effort will pay off. The soft launch is structured to be a break-even event, where we offer a 50% discount on menu items. This allows guests to test our services and give us feedback on everything from the food to the Internet access, helping us catch any potential problems early.

The soft launch isn't just a rehearsal; it's an essential phase in the launch process. Rectifying issues in a controlled environment is far more manageable, allowing us to be a smoother, more capable operation on the actual launch day. Addressing even 75% of potential issues from the soft launch can make a world of difference.

In conclusion, if you're on the brink of launching a business, product, or service, I strongly recommend implementing a soft launch. Whether you call it a beta test or a minimum viable product (MVP) trial, the essence is the same—test, gather feedback, and iterate. This approach can make your official launch exponentially smoother and more successful.

I hope you found this insight valuable. Any questions or comments? Feel free to drop me a line. I'll respond to everyone. Don't forget to subscribe, share, like, and comment to help us raise more funds for my mission to support children. All details about the ultra marathon challenge and how you can get involved are in the links below.

As always, stay positive, stay happy, and I'll see you again tomorrow.

Kevin Brittain