The vast majority of entrepreneurs out there have dreams about growing their business. But, few do so successfully, and moving too quickly or slowly can often lead to complete failure. There is a delicate balance to strike. You need to be aware of the factors that signify the time is right. Today, we’re going to look at the most important signals to watch out for; read on to find out more!
You get requests. One of the first signs you should be growing occurs when you start to get more requests. They might be people from another location that need your product or service – or maybe even from another country. The trick here is to move fast. If a competitor realizes there is an opportunity, you might be left behind.
You have loyal customers. In simple terms, you cannot grow unless you have a strong foundation of clients and customers. It is these people that signal you have a viable business that can grow beyond its current capability. The only trick now is to scale up production without affecting the service they receive.
A great team. A great team is essential to successful growth. Without the right people in place, it’s going to be hard to scale up your business effectively. There are several things to consider. You will need people that buy into your plan. But, you will also need people that can help you guide through the tricky periods that often accompany growth. There are some great details about Hampton Creek on Forbes, and how the food company approaches this problem. Be sensible with your hiring process, and you should be in a strong position to grow.
A growing market. If you are ahead of the game regarding growing markets, it can be beneficial to take the scaling gamble. Expanding markets are there for the taking – as long as you have the evidence to back you up.
You are overworked. Got too many clients? If so, it’s a sure sign you need to grow your business. Many entrepreneurs work tirelessly on their businesses. If it’s down to high demand, you should consider scaling things up a little.
You are profitable. Startups will often run at a loss for two or three years from when they open for business. But, if you can run at an incremental profit for the same length of time, consider reinvesting those profits in your business. As long as it is a steady income stream, it is going to be worth your while to grow beyond your current capabilities.
You spot a gap in the market. While you might serve your market with the perfect product, there are always other opportunities. You might spot a gap in the market for something complementary to your original product. If so, it might be time to invest in developing that idea so that you have a stronger all round offer.
Business growth is a gamble; there’s no denying it. However, if you recognize some of these signs, it can work in your favor to make a fast move.
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