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If you're an entrepreneur planning to carve yourself a lucrative slice of your chosen sector, chances are you've done your homework on market demand and have the talent and ingenuity to succeed.

But blinkered determination and a perceived lack of resources mean that some startup bosses fail to delegate and jeopardise their plans by bearing too much weight on their shoulders.

Survival sometimes depends on sharing the load - so here are five support services your startup needs to survive.

1.   Premises security

No new business can afford to have vital stock and equipment damaged or stolen.

But SME security solutions from Locked and Secure include CCTV, intruder alarms and door entry systems that keep staff and premises safe from criminals.

And depending on your operations, sophisticated smoke screens, security gates and even human guards might also be worth consideration.

A reputable security firm might offer to audit your establishment for free before making recommendations - then you're free to prioritise what you need most.

2.   Cybersecurity

Any business that controls or processes data needs to meet tough data protection regulations in most jurisdictions, so ensuring hardware and software is protected is essential.

Cybersecurity from a firm like Trend Micro can stop your small business sinking because of a hack - and preventing commercial or personal sensitive data falling into undesirable hands.

If you don't make sure your electronic assets are protected from the start, you might regret it - apart from the reputational damage, regulators can impose very hefty fines for non-compliance.

3.   Digital marketing

If you don't have an online presence, you could be missing out on valuable local business.

But digital marketing from experts like Attercopia will cover everything from building and designing a website that's optimised for mobile, to tactics that help you rise rapidly in search engine rankings.

Experienced agencies can also advise on the most cost-effective ways to use social media for extending your online reach.

You don't need to have a huge budget to make the most of digital and the right advice can help your firm punch above its weight online.

4.   Employee assistance programmes

Minimising stress in the work environment is dependant on factors like company culture, leadership styles and team dynamics - but employees can still suffer from mental health issues in the most progressive workplaces.

However, employee assistance programmes from providers like Health Assured mean that valued employees can access trained counsellors at any time of day or night and benefit from effective treatments like cognitive behavioural therapy.

Being there for staff when they need support the most is the right thing to do, but it also inspires loyalty.

The financial investment required is offset by preventing staff from taking long-term absences or perhaps leaving completely.

5.   Outsourced payroll

Traditional HR departments still perform important business functions - but their expensive running costs can seem prohibitive to new companies.

But outsourced payroll solutions from SD Worx ensure that staff in every location receive their salaries accurately and on time - as well as automatically taking care of tax compliance in different territories.

Staying above board with authorities and keeping staff onside is vital, but these services can provide peace of mind at a reasonable cost.

Offshoring your HR might also mean you keep a closer eye on this side of your business, thanks to the detailed analytical reports many systems conveniently generate.

Secure these five support services and your startup will survive and thrive in a competitive business environment.