Aspiras a ser un exitoso empresario de drones. ¿Qué habilidades necesitas para triunfar en la industria?

A lot of aspiring drone entrepreneurs think a drone is a business rather than just a tool.If someone doesn’t already possess deep knowledge in the industry they want to use a drone in, their chances of success are much, much smaller from Day 1. Drones CAN do a lot of things but owning/piloting a drone doesn’t convey magical powers to someone, giving them the capability to enter any vertical they want. I’m surprised at how many people I meet that “Want to get into the drone business” but have no idea what they want to do, seeming to think having a drone gives them a free pass to do anything they want to do. Some are even confused when I say “Owning a hammer doesn’t make you a carpenter.” A drone is just a tool, it’s not a business.

Firstly, I would start by commenting that drones, or any unmanned platform, in itself is not an industry, apart from the manufacture and sale of the hardware itself. Drones, in all other industries, are tools to help facilitate and enhance your workflow. Whether you are a surveyor, videographer/film maker, in the agriculture industry and, more than likely, in the not to distant future, BVLOS delivery etc. However, if you are adding UAS into your industry workflow, then I would agree that knowing your system inside and out will allow you to operate in a safe and successful manner within the guidelines set out by the CAA for the platform of your choice.

One thing I’ve found helpful is to always make sure everything is up to date, check all firmware the day before. The last thing you want, is to be doing a firmware update on site when it’s time to fly! And I always follow a checklist, so often that now it’s just part of a routine, I don’t have to look at that checklist anymore.

There is a great deal of opportunity in the drone industry, so you need to be smart and focus on those opportunities that have the best financial benefit. Many larger projects can zap up time, money and other resources and may not even complete, so pick the smaller, easier battles to help you grow and become more successful. It is too easy to get excited by some prospects (particularly when it involves big names), so crunch the numbers first and see if it is the best use of your time and effort.

Very similar thoughts to Tim Mammatt. Growing a network of clients is important and the small regular projects as as important as the big ones . Your focus must be on your deliverables and understanding your clients needs as well as being able to upsell your services so areas they didn’t know you could help them in.

As with any business, you need a clear understanding what the goals are - both for you and your business. Without this you will find yourself drifting rather than progressing with purpose. As has been said, to achieve this you will need a business plan and, if you haven’t run a business before, you will need some guidance / support. I found joining our local chamber of commerce was a huge help. I made contacts and business leads, but also leant a lot around different areas of running a business. Remember, the ‘drone’ industry is huge, and growing. It’s like saying I want to start a ‘vehicle’ business - what do you want to do in that business.

- Focus on the Drone data output and results for the customers and what business result or gain it provides them. Provide examples of how drone data or services integrates and enhances with their business operations.

Para que un negocio funcione a largo plazo, las diversas actividades comerciales y técnicas deben operar de manera coordinada. En este proceso, se cometerán errores, pero con el tiempo se irán corrigiendo. Lo importante es tener una estrategia centrada en el cliente. Si tuviera que elegir 1 sola actividad esencial de la empresa, sería diseñar y desarrollar un sistema sostenible de adquisición de clientes, ya que este sistema impulsará a toda la empresa. Un sistema sostenible de adquisición de clientes asegura que, al realizar ciertas tareas, cada mes se obtengan nuevos clientes. Este sistema debe ser la prioridad para cualquier empresa de drones, ya que facilitará la organización y eficiencia de las demás actividades empresariales.

Short answer is: "If you want to fly comply". Why? Because regulators are uncomfortable with the new & novel. Why? Because new & novel usually means unproven, which = fear of being unsafe. Make sure you know the applicable regulations and that you know what the regulator thinks that means as opposed to what you'd like it to mean: you won't win and you'll go under drained of energy and money. I've seen both sides and offered guidance to companies who chose to listen and succeeded versus those who wouldn't and didn't. Find a precedent too, if somebody else has been permitted to do something similar you've more chance of success. A few thousand pounds spent on good advice is a better return than hundreds of thousands invested in failure.

It’s imperative that all drone operators and companies are fully cognisant of the safety and regulatory requirements applicable to their integration aspirations. Accountability and assurance is absolutely fundamental within the development of the industry, along with transparency and trust. Certification takes time, evidence and patience, rightly so when applying appropriate risk management and standards.

The US is the largest consumer drone market in the world however there are also many other countries where it may be easier to get a start, and from there, expand to larger markets. It's vital to not be parochial & recognise that aviation is a global industry and that each country has their own set of regulations. AND that these regulations are regularly tweaked - not set in stone.

La seguridad en la operación de drones es esencial. Una guía rápida para minimizar riesgos podría dividirse en 3 partes: 1. Administrativa: Asegurarse de que la empresa cumpla con la normativa vigente, contratar un seguro, y realizar mantención a drones, entre otras. 2. Planificación: Antes de ir a terreno hay que verificar el clima, conocer el terreno, obtener permisos de vuelo y realizar listas de chequeo. 3. En terreno: Tener procedimientos para cuando surjan problemas imprevistos como lluvia repentina, bandadas de pájaros, ráfagas de viento fuertes o fallas de motor en pleno vuelo. No se puede garantizar un vuelo de dron 100% seguro, pero sí se pueden realizar diversas tareas para minimizar la probabilidad de accidentes.

There's hands-on drone flight risks, that's a no-brainer - but for a drone business the biggest risks are changes that weren't anticipated. Change in government regulations, business conditions (eg business spending & investment due to economic conditions) and consumer preferences. Also supplier changes (eg cessation of operation). So being open minded, well connected & thoughtful re what the future holds are vital attributes, or the business can become redundant almost overnight.

One person can't be all things to all people. Often the people best placed to explained complex technical details are not the people who are at the head of a business. Combining quality people whose skills complement one another, and enabling each to do what they do best, is the healthiest way for a business to operate.

Las habilidades blandas, como la comunicación, el liderazgo y la negociación, son igualmente importantes. Como líder de un equipo de operadores de drones, es vital poder motivar y guiar a tu equipo, así como comunicarte eficazmente con los clientes. En mi caso, la capacidad de explicar claramente las ventajas y limitaciones de los drones a clientes potenciales ha sido crucial para cerrar negocios. La empatía y la inteligencia emocional también juegan un papel importante en la resolución de conflictos y en la creación de un ambiente de trabajo positivo.

In a technical field where changes and modifications are occurring at a lightning-fast pace, keeping on top of the newest developments is vital to understanding the industry as a whole. Literally every day, review what’s new in the market, how these tools are being used, what verticals are demonstrating the best results, and what will work for your region. Drones are a tool, but thorough understanding of the wide spectrum of tools available allows you to choose the best tool for the job. The more effectively you implement drones into your operations, the better your chances of success.

La industria de los drones es tecnológica y altamente dinámica, por lo que es esencial mantenerse actualizado para seguir siendo competitivo. Si tú no aprendes cada semana, la competencia sí lo está haciendo. Cada nuevo drone, sensor, cámara o software puede aportar pequeñas ventajas que, con el tiempo, hacen a la empresa más competitiva. Por lo tanto, es necesario capacitarse, asistir a ferias y eventos. Además, puedes dedicar 30 minutos diarios a consumir contenidos, investigaciones y noticias de la industria de los drones.

La industria de los drones está en constante evolución, por lo que el aprendizaje continuo es esencial. Mantenerse al día con las últimas tecnologías, tendencias y prácticas es vital para mantenerse competitivo. La disposición a aprender y adaptarse continuamente es lo que diferencia a los empresarios exitosos en la industria de los drones.