Questions to Ask About a Business
Strategic questions to ask about a business to understand its operations, financial health, and growth potential for investment, partnership, or career decisions.
1What is the business model and how does the company generate revenue?
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What is the business model and how does the company generate revenue?
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Why this works
Understanding the business model helps you assess the company's viability and how it creates value for customers and stakeholders.
2What are the company's main products or services and who are the target customers?
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What are the company's main products or services and who are the target customers?
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Why this works
Learning about products and customers helps you understand the company's market position and competitive advantages.
3What is the company's financial performance and what are the key metrics?
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What is the company's financial performance and what are the key metrics?
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Why this works
Understanding financial performance helps you assess the company's profitability and financial stability.
4What are the company's main competitors and how does it differentiate itself?
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What are the company's main competitors and how does it differentiate itself?
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Why this works
Learning about competition helps you understand the company's market position and competitive advantages.
5What is the company's growth strategy and what are the expansion plans?
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What is the company's growth strategy and what are the expansion plans?
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Why this works
Understanding growth strategy helps you assess the company's potential for future success and expansion.
6What are the company's main challenges and how is it addressing them?
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What are the company's main challenges and how is it addressing them?
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Why this works
Learning about challenges helps you understand the company's risk factors and how it handles difficulties.
7What is the company's leadership team like and what is their experience?
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What is the company's leadership team like and what is their experience?
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Why this works
Understanding leadership helps you assess the company's management capabilities and strategic direction.
8What are the company's values and culture like?
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What are the company's values and culture like?
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Why this works
Learning about culture helps you understand the company's work environment and whether it aligns with your values.
9What are the company's main opportunities and how is it capitalizing on them?
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What are the company's main opportunities and how is it capitalizing on them?
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Why this works
Understanding opportunities helps you assess the company's potential for growth and success.
10What is the company's approach to innovation and technology?
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What is the company's approach to innovation and technology?
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Why this works
Learning about innovation helps you understand the company's commitment to staying competitive and adapting to change.
11What are the company's main risks and how is it managing them?
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What are the company's main risks and how is it managing them?
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Why this works
Understanding risks helps you assess potential challenges and how the company handles uncertainty.
12What is the company's approach to customer service and satisfaction?
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What is the company's approach to customer service and satisfaction?
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Why this works
Learning about customer focus helps you understand the company's commitment to customer value and retention.
13What are the company's main partnerships and strategic alliances?
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What are the company's main partnerships and strategic alliances?
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Why this works
Understanding partnerships helps you assess the company's network and strategic relationships.
14What is the company's approach to sustainability and social responsibility?
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What is the company's approach to sustainability and social responsibility?
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Why this works
Learning about sustainability helps you understand the company's values and commitment to responsible business practices.
15What are the company's main markets and how is it expanding?
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What are the company's main markets and how is it expanding?
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Why this works
Understanding markets helps you assess the company's geographic reach and expansion potential.
16What is the company's approach to talent acquisition and retention?
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What is the company's approach to talent acquisition and retention?
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Why this works
Learning about talent management helps you understand the company's commitment to employee development and retention.
17What are the company's main regulatory and compliance requirements?
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What are the company's main regulatory and compliance requirements?
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Why this works
Understanding regulations helps you assess the company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
18What is the company's approach to digital transformation and technology adoption?
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What is the company's approach to digital transformation and technology adoption?
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Why this works
Learning about technology helps you understand the company's commitment to innovation and digital capabilities.
19What are the company's main financial goals and how is it measuring success?
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What are the company's main financial goals and how is it measuring success?
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Why this works
Understanding financial goals helps you assess the company's performance metrics and success criteria.
20What is the company's vision for the future and what are the long-term goals?
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What is the company's vision for the future and what are the long-term goals?
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Why this works
Learning about vision helps you understand the company's strategic direction and long-term aspirations.
Understanding Business Operations
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Effective Business Analysis
Ask About Multiple Aspects
Cover financial performance, operations, strategy, and culture to get a comprehensive understanding of the business.
Understand the Context
Ask about market conditions, industry trends, and competitive landscape to understand the business environment.
Look for Red Flags
Ask about challenges, risks, and difficulties to identify potential problems and how the company handles them.
Key Areas to Explore
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Focus Only on Financials
Ask about operations, culture, and strategy to get a complete picture of the business, not just financial performance.
Don't Ignore Risks
Ask about challenges and difficulties to understand potential problems and how the company handles them.
Don't Skip the Culture Questions
Ask about company culture and values to ensure the business environment aligns with your expectations and values.