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Managing Small Business Growth by Balancing Big + Small

Managing Small Business Growth by Balancing Big + Small

Growth presents a real challenge for many small businesses. As your organization grows, how do you avoid compromising the personality and characteristics that helped build your business in the first place?

Act Small, Think Big.

In his manifesto for small business in the new economy (Small is the New Big), Seth Godin has redefined the meaning of small and big:

1. "Small" is a mindset, a way of acting, as opposed to a physical state - Small is not the the size of your bank account, your asset base or the number of employees you have, etc.

2. Thinking "Big" is thinking smart. Big ideas don't have to equate to big budgets and expenses - Big ideas are new ideas.

The secret to managing the growth of your small business lies in understanding/balancing thinking big and acting small. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Acting Small.

* Reach out and stay engaged with your customers (on a regular basis).
* Live your service promise.
* Answer the phone (with a live person not an auto-attendant).
* Respond to website inquiries as fast as possible.
* Return emails.
* Listen.
* Stay flexible.
* Make decisions (the quicker the better).
* Avoid unnecessary meetings.
* Communicate openly and honestly.
* If you don't know the answer, don't fake it.
* Ask for feedback - Survey your clients.
* Use common sense (particularly when spending).

Thinking Big.

* Focus on what your good at and farm out the rest.
* Become your own publisher - share your ideas through a blog, e-book or whitepaper.
* Give away content hat helps solve problems (for free).
* Embrace technology - use tools and applications to work smarter.
* Learn how to use social media.
* Always be trying something new - change is a stimulant.
* Understand your clients and be the best at solving their problems.





Managing Small Business Growth by Balancing Big Small - To learn more about this author, visit Mark Smiciklas's Website.

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Cheryl 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

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Mark Smiciklas
(Visit Mark's Website) Mark Smiciklas is a Vancouver Marketing Consultant. His firm, Intersection Consulting, helps small to mid-sized businesses address challenges in the areas of marketing, management and business development. To find out more about Intersection Consulting, please visit http://www.intersectionconsulting.c om/. If you are interested in more thoughts and ideas on marketing and management for small business please visit the Intersection Blog at http://www.intersectionconsulting.c om/blog/ Download Mark's FREE E-BOOK, "The Small Picture - A Visual Guide To Marketing & Management Ideas for Small Business", at http://www.intersectionconsulting.c om/ebook.php.

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