You've taken that bold step and started the business. Great. Realities of running a business start to hit home. The excitement, the exhilaration, the sales and the exchange of services or products for money. Its 6 months later and you remember you haven't looked at your business plan since you started.
TIP 1. Revisit your business plan. That's where it all started. Your vision and dreams for the business. The planning and research and the results of the research. Your SWOT analysis and PESTLE and the answers you gave to solving the problems you foresaw, etc. Your marketing plan and cash flow analysis and all the things you said you were going to do. GO BACK TO THAT PLAN. Implement what you can or may have forgotten about and change what needs changing. You need to learn to crawl before you start to run. Growth comes from having a strong foundation. Operate well and you will grow.
TIP 2. Focus on relationships. In my years of experience, you don't win new business cold. Recommendations, a track record of quality delivery, relationships and close networks is how its done. Professional services are built on relationships. Spend more time with real customers, not just those who simply show an interest in what you do. The more you understand your customer (their problems, barriers to success, goals and objectives), the more you are able to provide real business solutions and the more likely you are to grow. BECOME A MORE TRUSTED PARTNER AS SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP THEM GROW THEIR BUSINESS.
TIP 3. Retention. You should seek to reduce the number of customers that stop buying your products or using your services. The bottom line is you will grow you business faster and have a more robust business if you retain as many profitable clients as possible. Deal with client issues quickly, have a system to connect with clients who have not been in touch for a while. TREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE AS A MARKETING COMPONENT. Treat people like royalty at the purchasing process and after they have made the purchase. Account manage each customer.
Whilst these are not exhaustive, being consistent in applying these principles will lead to inevitable organic growth to your business.
Remi Okeshola
Managing Director
www.rbssconsulting.com
