Most entrepreneurs start their journey dreaming of expanding and developing their venture. Growing a business is not easy and rates of failure among new companies are high. In this guide, we’ll explore the key drivers that facilitate growth.
Demand
Demand for a product or service is critical to the success of businesses across all sectors. From clothing brands and healthcare practices to beauty products and household repairs, it’s critical that customers want to buy the products and services you’re offering. Levels of demand can fluctuate and often, businesses have to adapt and evolve to cater to emerging and evolving trends and changes in consumer preferences. When devising a growth strategy, it’s always beneficial to monitor sales closely and analyze data. Aim to grow the business in line with rising demand. Keep in mind that trends come and go and products that sell like hotcakes one day might not always be on the best-seller list. Try to prolong purple patches and encourage existing customers to stick with you while also trying to attract new buyers. Carry out market research, communicate with your customers and try to look to the future as well as analyzing real-time data when making decisions about when to take the next step. You don’t want to invest huge sums of money in products that have already peaked.
Innovation
The business landscape changes continuously and long-term success is never guaranteed even if your business is attracting rave reviews and sales are soaring. Innovation is critical for maintaining a competitive advantage and providing the best possible service for your customers. If you stay still in a moving market, there is a risk of your customers and prospective clients choosing a rival. Embrace innovation, look for ways to adapt and evolve and keep working towards your primary objectives. Being innovative and original has helped businesses like the Beachbody Company grow their client base. Developing new health and wellness products and services is key but the brand is also committed to doing everything possible to help clients achieve their goals and get results. As a business owner looking to expand your company or increase client numbers, it’s crucial to understand the value of innovation and to think about ways you can be creative and original and utilize new technology to keep pushing the business forward. This covers everything from functionality and aesthetics of products to customer experience. There is always room for improvement and scope to adapt to changing environments, trends and consumer preferences.
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Adaptation and flexibility
2020 underlined the importance of being flexible, adaptable and agile in business. Nobody could have predicted mass exoduses from offices, the closure of hospitality and retail venues, travel bans and millions of people all over the world being advised to stay at home. Despite the challenges, businesses survived and many thrived, largely because they were able to adapt. Brands that couldn’t operate in-store started offering online shopping and click and collect or home delivery and many businesses diversified their product lines to capitalize on surges in demand for certain items. Examples include activewear and home gym equipment, virtual learning and entertainment packages and platforms and software for remote working and studying at home. To grow your business, you need to be able to respond to challenges and changes, to overcome obstacles and to take advantage of emerging trends and increases in demand for products and services. Being flexible can also help you to overcome obstacles and minimize risks.
Finances
Running a successful business involves balancing the books and generating profits. When considering when to take your company to the next level, it’s vital to analyze your finances and make sure that the timing is right. If you’re still carrying a lot of debt, sales are slow or demand for your products or services is dwindling, borrowing or investing more money may not be the best decision. You want to be able to fund growth knowing that your sales figures are going to rise and there is a demand for the products you’re selling. If you try to move too quickly and you’re still not in profit when you spend more money, there is a risk of debts spiraling. It’s best to wait until you’re turning over a profit until you borrow or invest more to stabilize the company and eliminate costly interest payments. Use budgeting and forecasting tools and techniques and keep a close eye on the market. Business owners have to take risks to get ahead, but they should always be calculated risks.
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Technology
Technology plays an increasingly integral role in modern business and the vast majority of companies rely heavily on tech to provide customers with products and services. Technology can facilitate growth and it can also enable ambitious entrepreneurs to gain a competitive advantage. Technology can improve efficiency, save time and money and streamline operations, but crucially, it can also enable businesses and brands to offer something different to their competitors. Use technology to fuel creative thinking and originality and make your business more productive and cost-effective. There are all kinds of investments you can make across all industries. When you’re deciding how to use technology, research new developments and innovations, work with experts and keep an eye on what other companies are doing. Invest in technology that will drive your business forward. Take advantage of industry-specific inventions and solutions, take feedback from customers and employees into account and use data analysis and market research to solve problems and provide a superior service.
Reviews and reputation
Did you know that over 80% of consumers now trust online reviews as much as recommendations from their friends and family? More and more people are reading reviews and checking ratings before buying. Business reputation has never been more important. If you’re on a mission to expand your company and increase sales, it’s incredibly beneficial to work on protecting and improving your reputation and encouraging customers to leave positive reviews. A good review can make prospective clients choose your business while a bad review can put people off and push them in the direction of rival firms. Prioritize customer service, incentivize providing feedback and take good care of your customers. Treat every individual as a VIP and strive to make sure that every customer would want to recommend your business to their friends, family, colleagues, neighbors and social media followers. Recommendations and referrals can be amazingly valuable. If you have a high score and your business is attracting new customers on the back of positive reviews, this is a good sign that you can continue to expand.
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Diversification
Many businesses start off as small ventures, which offer a limited range of products or specialist services. While some will continue to offer the same services in line with steady demand, others will need to diversify. If you sell products or you provide experiences, rather than essential services, for example, you may find that there are opportunities to improve or enhance individual items as well as adding to the range. Be prepared to diversify and conjure up new ideas. Engage with your customers and encourage them to share suggestions, look for gaps in the market and monitor trends. From adapting and expanding clothing lines to feature new categories and adding takeaway options to your cafe menu to providing at-home spa products and virtual training, fitness or meditation sessions, there are myriad ways your business can offer a more diverse range of products and services.
Positive relationships
In the age of reviews and social media, it has never been more vital to build strong, long-lasting relationships with customers and clients. Studies suggest that consumers are looking for more than high-quality products or bargains. People want to engage with brands and they want to buy from businesses that share their values and provide a positive customer experience. If you have a loyal client base, this is an excellent foundation for growth. Many business owners make the mistake of going all-out to attract new clients but it’s much easier and cheaper to take good care of existing customers. Strive to achieve high client retention rates, reward loyalty and keep in touch with your clients. Communicate with them, provide support options, respond to comments and queries and use emails, your website and social media posts to showcase the human side of your brand. If you have a great relationship with your customers, they will be more likely to leave you fantastic reviews, they will shop with you again and they could also recommend you to friends, colleagues or family members.
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Many entrepreneurs and company owners have ambitions to grow and expand their businesses. It’s not always easy to get a successful venture off the ground, let alone to create an empire or a firm that is generating profits and making waves. There are several factors that influence and facilitate growth. If you’re looking to expand your business, it’s critical to make sure that you’re in a strong position to take the next step. Carry out research, analyze data and maintain a firm grip on your finances. Aim to be flexible, adaptable and agile, embrace innovation and use technology and creative thinking to gain an advantage over competitors. Look after your customers, establish positive relationships and work with them to help them achieve their goals.