WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GROW MY BUSINESS?
WHAT ARE THE BEST BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES?

If you’re trying to grow your business, chances are you’ve thought about making a business plan. Or maybe you already have one… on the back of a napkin. Somewhere. Or maybe you’ve read up on business growth strategies but don’t know how they apply to your field. Others create a great-looking business plan, but when they go to execute the steps, nothing seems to work.

Does this mean that you should just not try and make a forward-looking document for your business? Of course not. But instead of thinking about a business plan, let’s consider a business map. More flexible, a business map can help you understand not only where you are today, but where you’re trying to go. The result: business growth and clear vision.

JUST WHAT IS A BUSINESS ANYWAY?

Let’s clear the air with some terms. A business’s aim is to create a sustainable system that allows you to consistently increase the quality of your life and the lives of the people you serve. Ultimately a business can mean freedom and fulfillment. The challenge? Most people get caught up in the vehicle instead of the outcome. If your business is organized around meeting your needs, not your customers’, then you have a job, not a business.

WHY A BUSINESS MAP, NOT A BUSINESS PLAN?

In today’s world, a business plan just isn’t realistic. Things change so fast that by the time you’ve created your business plan, you have to start all over again. What’s the point of that?

With a map, you have something that can guide you from where you are right now to where you want to go. Maps show the most efficient route and all the obstacles. But one key issue with maps – they are only useful if you know where you are.

Once you have your map, you have to remember to update it constantly. Because we are in an environment that is continuously changing, you have to adjust your map accordingly to stay ahead of the game. Think about how frustrating it is when Google Maps doesn’t update to include a new business or permanent street closure. Keep your map up-to-date and you’re able to get where you want to go.

HOW TO MAKE A BUSINESS MAP

Making a business map starts with answering a series of questions. The more honest you are about where you are, the better able you’ll be to end up at your desired result: business growth strategies that work. Below is an example of a business map so that you can start mapping out your own process.

Click here for a downloadable pdf

STEP 1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR BUSINESS

What business are you in?
This question might seem obvious, but drill down a bit deeper. For example, what business is Starbucks in? You might say coffee. But ask Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and you’ll likely get the story of his trip to Italy. There he saw people eagerly meeting in cafes before and after work. The promise of a transitional meeting place between home and work was the seed that grew into Starbucks. He knew his business was about creating an experience – one that’s consistent worldwide – not just delivering coffee.

What business are you really in? How’s business?
If you understand what your business really is, you can anticipate changes in the market. You’ll see the possible opportunities and threats that you otherwise might overlook.

As an example, think about the U.S. railroad. If railroad companies had understood that their business was transportation, not simply running trains, it’s likely they could have prevented the sharp decline the trucking industry caused. Knowing what business you’re really in means having a deep and thorough understanding of your customer and the value they gain from you.

STEP 2: YOUR ORIGIN STORY

Why did you originally get into this business? 
Why are you in it now? What do you need to get from this business in long term? These questions help you see where you started and where you want to ultimately go. You’re well on your way to situating yourself accurately on your business map.

Who are you?
Who do you have now as part of your team? Who do you need? Who should you get rid of? Take stock of the assets you have, the assets you lack and what’s holding you back. Again, no business growth strategies work without a full, accurate picture of your current position. The answers might surprise you.

Who is your current client?
This question gets to the heart of your business. Tony talks about creating “raving fans”; these are clients that stick with you instead of customers that will leave once you’ve satisfied them. Think too about who your client needs to be. What does your client need? What is your client going to need? These answers will help you map out the future of your business for maximum growth.

STEP 3: WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

With all the answers you’ve gotten, you can now evaluate where you are. How do you compare to your competitors? Given all that you know, think about where you stand in the grander scheme of things. Are you in an aging industry and need to get out? Are you the clear incumbent? Charting completely new territory?

No matter where you are, you have two choices. You can grow or you can die. If you’re not growing, you’re dying. It’s easy to say “I want to grow my business.” But how?

Tony says if you why is strong enough, your how will come. And good news – you just laid out your why. You’ve just figured out what business you’re really in and why, what your clients need and why. So now it’s time to figure out the how of business growth, the key to business growth strategies.

WHAT MAKES A BUSINESS GROW? HOW TO GROW MY BUSINESS?

The core of all successful business growth strategies? Adding value.

Seriously, it’s really that simple. Once you understand how to consistently offer more value than anyone else in your market, you’re in a better position to identify where you are now. You’ll also clearly see what it will take to get to where you want to be. You’ll have more certainty about what your business needs to grow now, and you’ll be better able to steer your organization in accordance with that vision.

Most important, you’ll understand what business you need to be in to become the dominant force in your market.