What Tools You Need To Survive The Business World
by Mashum Mollah Small Business Published on: 25 March 2017 Last Updated on: 17 June 2025
If you are just starting out in the World of business then you are going to need to be prepared for a tough and fiercely competitive environment where the only way in which you will succeed is if you are fully armed and have the skills and survival instincts to reach the top. I was watching a recent seminar given by 3i Chairman Bob Stefanowski recently when he was lecturing at the University of Cambridge. He was discussing this exact topic of survival in business and he spoke at length about the tools which you will need to survive, I noted some down and want to share them with you today.
Over 50% of new businesses fail to make it past the first three years in business, a worrying percentage for any business owner and if you want to avoid ending up in this 50% then here is how you can survive.
Be Resilient:
Resilience as both a company and an individual are vital to your survival and no matter how many times you fail, how much negativity you face, it is up to you to stay strong and keep pushing for your success. If you speak to any successful business owner or leader they will tell you that at some point in their career they have made a bad choice or taken a risk and failed. What these men and women did after the failure is exactly what you need to do should it happen to you, brush yourself down and go again.
Agreements in Paper Only:
The idea of a gentlemen’s agreement or a ‘my word is my bond’ style contract should be something that you never get involved in and any agreements which you make throughout your business career should be made on paper or not at all. There are many unsavory people in the world of business who would be willing to sell their granny for a buck and if you think that you can ever fully trust someone when it comes to business dealings then you are wrong, get it on paper and legally bind it with both signatures.
Always Keep The Big Picture In Mind:
Business success is a marathon and not a sprint and if you want to truly succeed then you need to prepare to play the long game. You must always have one eye on the future, on growth and be looking at least 3 moves ahead. You may be losing out to competitors right now but your plan is likely better than theirs and you’ll come out on top in the future. The more that you plan for the future the better prepared you will be and when the time comes to push for growth or exploit new areas you will be fully prepared. Equally, if you plan for the future as well as paying attention to the now then you will be able to ensure that your business is also prepared for any unforeseen setbacks which may occur.
Tools You Need To Survive The Business World in 2025!
In this section, we have successfully curated an entire list of tools you need to survive the business world, reviewed by industry experts and websites
We will categorise the list as a whole to simplify your decision-making process. These categories are:
- Communication
- Project management
- Financial and accounting
- Marketing and sales
Best Tools for Business Communication
It also plays a vital role in team collaboration and client communication. Such platforms support businesses in holding meetings, chatting, exchanging files, and more.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a complete communications platform with chat, video meeting, file sharing, and seamless integration with Microsoft 365 solutions.
It is great for organizations needing productive collaboration between multiple departments and locations.
Rating: 4.3/5 (G2)
Slack
Slack streamlines team communication with structured channels, direct messages, voice and video calls, and powerful integrations.
It’s particularly favored by startups and tech teams due to its simple user interface and productivity-boosting features.
Rating: 4.5/5 (Capterra)
Zoom
Zoom is a paid video conferencing software that is famous for its simple configuration, crisp video, and functionalities such as screen sharing, breakout rooms, and webinars. It is used extensively for meetings, interviews, and webinars.
Rating: 4.6/5 (G2)
Top Business Project Management Tools
Successful project management software organizes groups, facilitates collaboration, and allows businesses to meet deadlines. The platforms allow for seamless delegation of work and monitoring of progress.
ProofHub
ProofHub is a complete project management application that offers task management, time tracking, discussion, file sharing, and collaboration in one place. It’s perfect for teams who want centralized control without the need to use multiple applications.
Rating: 4.4/5 (G2)
Trello
Trello provides an easy card-based system for managing tasks and projects. With its drag-and-drop functionality and capacity to customize boards, it is ideal for individual use as well as collaboration.
Rating: 4.5/5 (Capterra)
Asana
Asana enables teams to plan, organize, and monitor work. From daily chores to large projects, it presents timeline views, task dependencies, and workflows to optimize productivity and accountability.
Rating: 4.4/5 (G2)
Best Business Finance and Accounting Tools
Business funds should be dealt with accuracy and automation. They assist with billing, budgeting, payments, and reporting—essentials for any growing business.
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is one of the leading accounting applications that simplifies bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and tax management.
Its transparent reports and simple dashboard have made it a favorite among small to medium enterprises.
Rating: 4.3/5 (G2)
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is designed for freelancers and small businesses. It allows for simple invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and client communication in one location. Individuals prefer it because it is easy and has good customer service.
Rating: 4.5/5 (Capterra)
Stripe
Stripe is a robust online payment platform that offers international payments, subscriptions, and in-app purchases.
Moreover, Stripe is designed for developers and businesses that require a payment platform that will grow with them.
Rating: 4.6/5 (G2)
Top Sales and Marketing Tools in Business
Good sales and marketing software enables you to discover customers, track campaigns, and enhance outcomes. These types of software offer automation and insights to optimize business growth.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is a complete email marketing software. It has templates, automation, A/B testing, and segmentation. It is best for companies that need to design effective email campaigns with less effort.
Rating: 4.4/5 (Capterra)
Hootsuite
Hootsuite allows you to schedule, manage, and track all your social media sites in one location. It assists you in monitoring metrics, collaboration, and interaction to enhance your online reputation.
Rating: 4.3/5 (G2)
Google Analytics
Google Analytics provides advanced insights into traffic, user behavior, and marketing performance. Understanding what’s influencing engagement and conversions on your website is important.
Rating: 4.7/5 (Capterra)
Wrapping It Up!
It is okay to conclude that choosing the tools you need to survive the business world pretty carefully is crucial.
These tools are most likely to be the backbone of your operations, while enabling better efficiency, growth, and productivity.
Thus, to remain competitive whole staying ahyead of the curve it is crucial that you invest in the right tools and adopt them for your business.
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