Growth-It all adds up
Growth…It is a term that we hear everyday. But how do you achieve growth? Whether you are seeking personal or small business growth there is a process to making growth a reality.
Yet, too often, the well intentioned self-employed business owner, entrepreneur or solo professional believes that he or she can start a business and somehow it will grow. They may have business strategies, a marketing business plan as part of their overall growth strategy.
But, the reality is that most of this is in their head and the sad truth is that most of it stays there.
Growth-Write It Down
As a marketing business coach the first thing is to write down your business strategy. You can share it verbally but most of it will be lost. There is something magical when the plan gets put down on paper. Other people can see it. They can process your thinking. They can comment. They can see a clear pathway.
Also, when it is in writing you are giving others an opportunity to respond to what you are thinking in a thoughtful manner. When the communication is verbal very often you get a reaction instead of a thoughtful response. Small business success and the growth of business is about thoughtful responses, not knee jerk reactions.
Growth—Develop Yourself
After writing down your business strategies for growth the next thing you must ask is this, “Who do I have to become in order for this growth to take place?” As a self-employed business owner, whether you are at the point of starting your own business or running a small business, you must realize that the growth you will experience will seldom exceed your personal development.
The phrase, “If it is to be it is up to me” fits well here. When you develop yourself you will experience personal success and that also spills into your business.
Growth—Develop A Team
There is no organization that can experience growth without developing a team. It is a must. If you are a business owner, entrepreneur or solo professional who is truly committed to growth then you must commit to developing a team.
How do you do that? There are many ways. The first step, as the leader, is that you must let go. You must let go of trying to do everything. You must let go of being responsible for everything. Only when we give others responsibility and therefore trust, can we build a team. Oh by the way, then get out of the way and let the team members do their job.
Growth—Develop Leaders
As you build a team you can now develop leaders. There must be accountability within the team for taking the appropriate actions. When people are held accountable it is easy to see who can step up and be a leader. Why? When someone is accountable and performs, it builds trust and forward momentum.
When you start identifying your leaders then your small business can start experiencing explosive growth because you now have identified the people who can take the growth of your business to the next level.
Follow these steps and you will take you and your business to the new levels of growth.
