12 Step Business Growth Plan
12 Step Business Growth Plan
1. Set Specific Goals
Goals must be specific. Saying that you're going to get more customers is not good enough. How many? By when? What type of customers? These are kind of questions you need to be asking yourself. Put your goals in writing. More than 90% of those people that write down specific, realistic, deadline oriented goals actually achieve their goals! Finally, visualize yourself in the future. Most people think in pictures. As you begin to right down your vision place yourself in the future and make it seem real. You will be amazed at the results.
2. Seek Out Change
Let's face it change is the only constant. The longer you "do what you've always done," the harder it will be to do something different. It is ideas that bring change about in our world. Nearly every great invention, system or model was born from the idea of a lone entrepreneur. Psychologists are now saying that creativity is a "learned trait." Experiment with creative ways of doing things. Don't just settle for the "easy way." Do this daily and watch you creativity grow and your business soar!
3. Focus on Branding
Branding is not merely for the BIG players. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can also differentiate themselves with this kind of branding strategy. In fact it is even MORE important for smaller organizations to set themselves apart, particularly if they are competing with the BIG GUYS! Remember, your customer's perceptions of WHO you are is all the matters to them. Often times your reputation is wrapped up in what advertising guru, Bill Bernbach called the Unique Selling Proposition (USP). What sets you apart from the crowd? What do you do that no one else does? This is far more important than the quality or price of your product or service. Everything that we do or say both internally and externally should revolve around this.
4. Be an Influencer NOT a Salesperson
Our goal is not to SELL our customers but rather to influence them. When we SELL them, they move away from us because they are fearful of being coerced into making the wrong decision. Ask more questions. Find out what's important to them. Find a way to get them to look up to you. We must earn the right to influence customers by aligning ourselves with them in a way that sets us apart as a friend, advisor and confidant. Then we will become the ONLY solution to their needs.
5. Speak in Terms of the Customers Interest
As the great master of human relations, Dale Carnegie said, we must "speak in terms of the other persons interest." The reason people are running away from you is that you are trying to TAKE. Be willing to give. "What can you give?," you ask? If nothing else, give them an education. That's right EDUCATE your prospect and you will create a customer for life! Ask plenty of questions. Show that you really care. You will learn more, build stronger relationships and get more business. Oh yea, you'll have more fun too.
6. Develop a Practical Sales and Marketing Plan
A sales and marketing plan creates the kind of attention you need to get in front of the right type of organizations. It is what attracts people to you! A good sales and marketing plan implemented cost effectively, efficiently, and consistently, will eliminate the need for "cold calls!" Your marketing plan should also include a sales plan. There's no other sure way to gage the financial growth and progress of your business. You need a realistic map for where the sales will come from, how they'll come and from whom.
7. Know Your Customers
Changes in your customers' preferences and your competitors' products and services can leave you in the dust unless you get to know your customers well. What is it tat they are looking for today? What will they likely want in the future? What are their buying patterns? How can you be a resource for them even if you don't have the right products or services for them now!
8. Manage Your Cash Daily
Only cash flow can keep a company alive. No matter how impressive your company's profits might be, if you run out of cash, it's over! Learn the importance of aligning performance measurement goals to gross margin. Learn about various pricing strategies, contribution margins and how to stay on top of your cash position every minute of the day if necessary.
9. Be a Leader
Jack Welch, CEO of G.E. loved the small business model so much his first step in turning around G.E. was to break up the giant into 350 smaller companies. He told Business Week Magazine, " Most small companies are simple informal and grow on good ideas. Think small," he said. Understand your role as the leader of your organization is to inspire, simplify processes, drive the company toward their vision, spread the gospel and admit your mistakes and keep things ever moving forward..
10. Get Help
Get an advisory board or a mentor! Sounds crazy for a small operation? It's not! The board can be family members that you trust, or friends. Ask them to be your board of directors and review your business plans and results with them. Having someone to bounce ideas off and get an objective opinion is critical.
11. Communicate Clearly
You might be the key to everything BUT you cannot DO everything and grow at the same time. Even modest success can overwhelm you unless you hire the right staff and delegate responsibility. Good communication skills are the key to winning strong relationships. Learn to listen in an active way. Stop thinking about what you are going to say next and put the focus back on the customer.
12. Don't Give Up!
Some of the most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before doing extremely well. So, if you're failing, fail. And fail fast. And learn. And try again, with this new wisdom. Do NOT give up. In a recession such as we are experiencing today, only the persistent will thrive!
12 Step Business Growth Plan - To learn more about this author, visit Mark Deo's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
Running a small business requires having the right knowledge and applying self discipline on a daily basis. For this reason I have prepared what I call the "12 Step Business Growth Plan." Like the Alcoholics Anonymous 12 step plan, it is the core of what we need to do to keep us focused on proven management practices. I recommend that my students, listeners and clients print them and post them in their work area to review daily while planning for the next days activities.
1. Set Specific Goals
Goals must be specific. Saying that you're going to get more customers is not good enough. How many? By when? What type of customers? These are kind of questions you need to be asking yourself. Put your goals in writing. More than 90% of those people that write down specific, realistic, deadline oriented goals actually achieve their goals! Finally, visualize yourself in the future. Most people think in pictures. As you begin to right down your vision place yourself in the future and make it seem real. You will be amazed at the results.
2. Seek Out Change
Let's face it change is the only constant. The longer you "do what you've always done," the harder it will be to do something different. It is ideas that bring change about in our world. Nearly every great invention, system or model was born from the idea of a lone entrepreneur. Psychologists are now saying that creativity is a "learned trait." Experiment with creative ways of doing things. Don't just settle for the "easy way." Do this daily and watch you creativity grow and your business soar!
3. Focus on Branding
Branding is not merely for the BIG players. Entrepreneurs and small business owners can also differentiate themselves with this kind of branding strategy. In fact it is even MORE important for smaller organizations to set themselves apart, particularly if they are competing with the BIG GUYS! Remember, your customer's perceptions of WHO you are is all the matters to them. Often times your reputation is wrapped up in what advertising guru, Bill Bernbach called the Unique Selling Proposition (USP). What sets you apart from the crowd? What do you do that no one else does? This is far more important than the quality or price of your product or service. Everything that we do or say both internally and externally should revolve around this.
4. Be an Influencer NOT a Salesperson
Our goal is not to SELL our customers but rather to influence them. When we SELL them, they move away from us because they are fearful of being coerced into making the wrong decision. Ask more questions. Find out what's important to them. Find a way to get them to look up to you. We must earn the right to influence customers by aligning ourselves with them in a way that sets us apart as a friend, advisor and confidant. Then we will become the ONLY solution to their needs.
5. Speak in Terms of the Customers Interest
As the great master of human relations, Dale Carnegie said, we must "speak in terms of the other persons interest." The reason people are running away from you is that you are trying to TAKE. Be willing to give. "What can you give?," you ask? If nothing else, give them an education. That's right EDUCATE your prospect and you will create a customer for life! Ask plenty of questions. Show that you really care. You will learn more, build stronger relationships and get more business. Oh yea, you'll have more fun too.
6. Develop a Practical Sales and Marketing Plan
A sales and marketing plan creates the kind of attention you need to get in front of the right type of organizations. It is what attracts people to you! A good sales and marketing plan implemented cost effectively, efficiently, and consistently, will eliminate the need for "cold calls!" Your marketing plan should also include a sales plan. There's no other sure way to gage the financial growth and progress of your business. You need a realistic map for where the sales will come from, how they'll come and from whom.
7. Know Your Customers
Changes in your customers' preferences and your competitors' products and services can leave you in the dust unless you get to know your customers well. What is it tat they are looking for today? What will they likely want in the future? What are their buying patterns? How can you be a resource for them even if you don't have the right products or services for them now!
8. Manage Your Cash Daily
Only cash flow can keep a company alive. No matter how impressive your company's profits might be, if you run out of cash, it's over! Learn the importance of aligning performance measurement goals to gross margin. Learn about various pricing strategies, contribution margins and how to stay on top of your cash position every minute of the day if necessary.
9. Be a Leader
Jack Welch, CEO of G.E. loved the small business model so much his first step in turning around G.E. was to break up the giant into 350 smaller companies. He told Business Week Magazine, " Most small companies are simple informal and grow on good ideas. Think small," he said. Understand your role as the leader of your organization is to inspire, simplify processes, drive the company toward their vision, spread the gospel and admit your mistakes and keep things ever moving forward..
10. Get Help
Get an advisory board or a mentor! Sounds crazy for a small operation? It's not! The board can be family members that you trust, or friends. Ask them to be your board of directors and review your business plans and results with them. Having someone to bounce ideas off and get an objective opinion is critical.
11. Communicate Clearly
You might be the key to everything BUT you cannot DO everything and grow at the same time. Even modest success can overwhelm you unless you hire the right staff and delegate responsibility. Good communication skills are the key to winning strong relationships. Learn to listen in an active way. Stop thinking about what you are going to say next and put the focus back on the customer.
12. Don't Give Up!
Some of the most successful entrepreneurs failed several times before doing extremely well. So, if you're failing, fail. And fail fast. And learn. And try again, with this new wisdom. Do NOT give up. In a recession such as we are experiencing today, only the persistent will thrive!
12 Step Business Growth Plan - To learn more about this author, visit Mark Deo's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
Very nice website!
Commented on 12 Step Business Growth Plan. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
|||
David AchesonDavid Acheson is the founder of DCJA Consultancy. DCJA Consultancy is a management consultancy business specialising in B2B sales consultancy. They offer bespoke and packaged sales consultancy including Sales Optimisation Review, Interim Sales Management, Sales & Marketing Review, 1:1 Sales & Management Staff Analysis, Management Training, Solution Sales Training, Creation of New Pay Plan, KPI's, run Customer Feedback Campaigns, assist with Recruitment, Coaching, Appraisals and set up Strategic Marketing Campaigns. David spent his early career in accountancy and then moved into sales in 1982, working in Office Equipment, IT, Advertising, Training, Outsourcing and Consultancy. He has held many Senior Positions in SMBs and Global Organisations including Head of Sales Operations & Head of Business Development. His knowledge, skills and great experience of the Sales Industry has led to David making keynote speeches and running educational sessions to key businesses through organisations including The Chamber of Commerce and Business Link. - Visit David Acheson's Website |
|||
Jeff FosterWebBizIdeas.com is a Minneapolis website design company founded to help people start an internet business by providing them with website, business, and internet resources that help foster the growth of successful online businesses and develop innovative Internet business ideas. We specialize in internet consulting & internet marketing. - Visit Jeff Foster's Website |
|||
David BarrDavid Barr is the President of Venture Opportunities, Inc. David has been a professional business broker/intermediary since 1980 focusing on General Business Brokerage and Mergers and Acquisitions representing client transaction value from $400,000 to $20,000,000. Mr. Barr has handled the sale of over four hundred and fifty companies. David earned a university degree from the State University of New York majoring in economics and business. David holds the Mergers and Acquisition Master Intermediary and the Certified Business Intermediary designations from the International Business Brokers Association. He is also a Senior Business Analyst and a Texas licensed Real Estate Agent. For more information about David and Venture Opportunities, visit www.bizdealmaker.com. - Visit David Barr's Website |
|||
Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
|||
Casey GollanCasey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website |
|||
Kim CastleWith nearly two decades in the advertising and design business, with clients like Domino's Pizza, General Motors, Direct TV, Pedigree, Wolfgang Puck, Higher Octave Music, Hollywood Celebrity Products, Disney, and Paramount, as well as thousands of entrepreneurs around the world define, structure, communicate, and position their business for greater profits, BrandU(R) co-creators Kim Castle and W. Vito Montone discovered that entrepreneurs could experience the same power that big brands command for a fraction of the cost with the world's only process-based results-drive Integral approach to business creation. BrandU(R) is helping entrepreneurs grow with the power of extreme clarity from idea...to brand...to market(TM) and helping one million entrepreneurs become successful and whole so that they can make a difference in the world. Are you one of them? If you want to experience clarity all the way to the bank(TM), get started now at http://www.brandu.com. - Visit Kim Castle's Website |
|||
Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
|||
|
To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us. | |||
 | |
|  |
Subscribe to Mark's articles
 | |
|
|  |
 |
|
|
 | |||||||
|
 | ||
 |
||
|
||
 |
||
|
| ||
 |
| Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details. |
|
|
 |
| Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media |
|
|
 |
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"
Click Here To Learn More |
|
|
|
|
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
|
|
|
 What’s Wrong With Your Site? Relationships and Referrals Disciplines of Success A Clean Desk Instant Newsletters |
|
 | ||
 |
Choose A PR Topic
Press Release Builder | |
 |
The Top 10 ProBlogger Posts
Best Posts for Bloggers | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||