Blogs

A client recently contacted me to discuss the problems they were having in growing their

business. They were at a crossroads because sales were declining and they had run out of creative energy. They were also in desperate need of a solution to avoid a cash shortfall. We looked at several options and decided that a sales challenge would be a good way to get the partners back in gear. This created excitement in the air because it gave the team a reason to collaborate on new product development and sales. Up to this point, each partner had always worked individually to generate income. But as we discussed how they could work together they began to see new ways to grow their business.

This approach is what I refer to as the 5 A’s of Business Growth.

The factors that make it a success are:

1. Assess your situation. Pay close attention to the things that keep you stuck in business. Write down what is and what is not working well so that you can discuss them with your partner or other business colleague.
2. Accept possibilities for change. Before any solution can be put in place, you and the key people on your team will need to buy in to new opportunities for your company. The greater the cooperation, the easier it will be to move forward and find creative solutions.
3. Adopt a new mindset. People resist change because they do not like what is unfamiliar. It can be intimidating to go into un-chartered waters. Overcome resistance by finding ways to use each person’s unique skills and experiences. When people feel that they play a significant part, it shifts the energy and creates an avalanche of opportunities for growth.
4. Awaken the excitement. If the process finds you or your team in a creative rut, move forward by taking on the enthusiasm of a cheerleader. Set some goals, work diligently and hold one another accountable for reaching them. It also helps to be ready with a word of encouragement and visuals of what it will look and feel like having stayed the course.
5. Act with purpose. All the goal setting and planning in the world does nothing for your bottom line unless you put some action to your intentions. Your company will only able to see results after you have chosen specific tasks that you can do each day and then set out to do them.

If your sales are in a holding pattern and you need ideas for building sales, I recommend visiting my website at www.tbsusa.com for additional ways to increase revenue and maximize your bottom.