Do You Want or Need Business Growth?
Do You Want or Need Business Growth?
In business, nearly all people who operate small companies might want growth, but sadly most have not cultivated a need for growth. To want growth usually means to make more money, to have more power, to be perceived by others to ‘be successful’, etc. To need growth is to have a product or service of value that you want more customers to experience. Or it might be that you have good staff who need more responsibility and a higher challenge, or perhaps you need to block a competitor from taking a position that could erode your business. And of course if you have such needs than it is natural that you would privately hope to make more money, be more successful, etc.
In my own business I am at the point where aiming for growth is an important issue. Revenue is not the problem, not that I wouldn’t welcome greater income, it is simply a case of needing to spread my wings. As a speaker, consultant and trainer, I have created valuable educational concepts and business development systems, but I am the only one offering these services to the market. So I am investigating how I can attract good quality trainers/consultants who can work with more clients in more markets, with my services. This is not just a question of finding good people, I also have to consider the time needed to train them properly, and I have to determine how we promote our ‘new’ services. All of this is a serious and challenging need for our company, and not just a wish for ‘more money’ and a bigger business.
To achieve growth it will be necessary to attend to a number of key issues:
• Stand back from the day to day running of the business and discuss growth moves with one or more ‘quality thinkers’
• Organise research to confirm the levels of opportunity you have seen
• Make a plan for growth that is realistic and achievable, in terms of numbers and time involvement
• Take calculated risks. Growth cannot be realised except through foresight, planning, flexibility and determination to succeed
• Prepare to put in more total effort so as to ensure short term results stay healthy, while planning for new moves
The implementation of growth plans is an exciting and worrying time, so be prepared for problems and changes. And be committed to a more demanding role in future, for to achieve growth means more effort and responsibility. This brings into question again the point of need, with the emphasis on the personal side this time. Are you ready to put in more time and effort, and you are happy and indeed capable of contributing at a higher level? With growth come growing pains for both the business and the individuals in it, especially the owner. But this can be forecasted as easily as new parents accepting that their lives will never be the same again.
New habits will be needed, in both a personal and business sense. On the personal side it is imperative that you ‘make time’ to enjoy recreational pursuits, otherwise the growth achieved will be resented.
In business terms, learn to work in different and more efficient ways, and delegate effectively. Here is the background to positive delegation. There are three forms of work, generative, regenerative and degenerative. Generative work involves stretching yourself in new areas of business thinking and contribution. This kind of work is exhilarating and forms the basis of creative effort. Regenerative work involves important tasks that you have done before and must do again on a regular basis. This kind of work must be continuously improved. Degenerative work involves tasks that you shouldn’t perform, and this work should be delegated to people in the business who can probably perform the tasks better than you can. Regenerative work can perhaps be shared, but degenerative work must be delegated within or out-sourced, otherwise it will detract from your more serious tasks.
In the final analysis, the truth is that most small companies not only fail to achieve growth, they go out of business. The cause is that too many people start businesses for the wrong reasons, most of which relate to making more money or doing less work. The definition of ‘winning’ is progress through struggle, and the greatest struggle for any small company is not external ‘conditions’ but internal motivation and commitment. If you have a product or service of value, and you are continuously improving the product or service, then enjoy the struggle of achieving growth!
Do You Want or Need Business Growth - To learn more about this author, visit John Lees's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
There’s a big difference between what people want and need in life, and the same principle applies to business. For instance, although most people want to be fit, look good and stay in shape, by far the majority do not possess these attributes. This is because they only have a weak desire, or a want (based on media ‘images’), rather than a serious reason, or a need (they must be fit and in shape).
In business, nearly all people who operate small companies might want growth, but sadly most have not cultivated a need for growth. To want growth usually means to make more money, to have more power, to be perceived by others to ‘be successful’, etc. To need growth is to have a product or service of value that you want more customers to experience. Or it might be that you have good staff who need more responsibility and a higher challenge, or perhaps you need to block a competitor from taking a position that could erode your business. And of course if you have such needs than it is natural that you would privately hope to make more money, be more successful, etc.
In my own business I am at the point where aiming for growth is an important issue. Revenue is not the problem, not that I wouldn’t welcome greater income, it is simply a case of needing to spread my wings. As a speaker, consultant and trainer, I have created valuable educational concepts and business development systems, but I am the only one offering these services to the market. So I am investigating how I can attract good quality trainers/consultants who can work with more clients in more markets, with my services. This is not just a question of finding good people, I also have to consider the time needed to train them properly, and I have to determine how we promote our ‘new’ services. All of this is a serious and challenging need for our company, and not just a wish for ‘more money’ and a bigger business.
To achieve growth it will be necessary to attend to a number of key issues:
• Stand back from the day to day running of the business and discuss growth moves with one or more ‘quality thinkers’
• Organise research to confirm the levels of opportunity you have seen
• Make a plan for growth that is realistic and achievable, in terms of numbers and time involvement
• Take calculated risks. Growth cannot be realised except through foresight, planning, flexibility and determination to succeed
• Prepare to put in more total effort so as to ensure short term results stay healthy, while planning for new moves
The implementation of growth plans is an exciting and worrying time, so be prepared for problems and changes. And be committed to a more demanding role in future, for to achieve growth means more effort and responsibility. This brings into question again the point of need, with the emphasis on the personal side this time. Are you ready to put in more time and effort, and you are happy and indeed capable of contributing at a higher level? With growth come growing pains for both the business and the individuals in it, especially the owner. But this can be forecasted as easily as new parents accepting that their lives will never be the same again.
New habits will be needed, in both a personal and business sense. On the personal side it is imperative that you ‘make time’ to enjoy recreational pursuits, otherwise the growth achieved will be resented.
In business terms, learn to work in different and more efficient ways, and delegate effectively. Here is the background to positive delegation. There are three forms of work, generative, regenerative and degenerative. Generative work involves stretching yourself in new areas of business thinking and contribution. This kind of work is exhilarating and forms the basis of creative effort. Regenerative work involves important tasks that you have done before and must do again on a regular basis. This kind of work must be continuously improved. Degenerative work involves tasks that you shouldn’t perform, and this work should be delegated to people in the business who can probably perform the tasks better than you can. Regenerative work can perhaps be shared, but degenerative work must be delegated within or out-sourced, otherwise it will detract from your more serious tasks.
In the final analysis, the truth is that most small companies not only fail to achieve growth, they go out of business. The cause is that too many people start businesses for the wrong reasons, most of which relate to making more money or doing less work. The definition of ‘winning’ is progress through struggle, and the greatest struggle for any small company is not external ‘conditions’ but internal motivation and commitment. If you have a product or service of value, and you are continuously improving the product or service, then enjoy the struggle of achieving growth!
Do You Want or Need Business Growth - To learn more about this author, visit John Lees's Website.
Like this article? Share it with your friends
 | |
 |
No article feedback found. |
| |
Leave Your Feedback |
 | |
| |||
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 |
|||
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 |
|||
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 |
|||
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 John'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!
|
|
 |
 QuickBooks Self Quiz Franchise & Distribution Pulse Check Assessment Instant Brochures Why Banks Say No eguide |
|
 | ||
 |
Top 50 HR Blogs 2009
Top 50 HR Blogs 2009 | |
 |
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts
Best Posts for Productivity | |
| ||
 | ||||
| ||||
|
| ||||
| ||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||
|
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!
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||