For new business owners, it can take years to finally reach a point where a certain level of success is reached, and all the hard work and long hours finally pay off. Success is measured in different ways and can be fleeting or inconsistent. There are many reasons why success is eventually achieved, the most obvious being dedication, relationship building, and developing a competitive edge that sets your company apart from the rest.
In today’s business climate, there are both new and old concepts to consider when developing a longer-term game plan. The key to longevity is understanding and taking advantage of these areas and building a business model that creates optimal efficiency and effectiveness year after year.
Here are a few to think about:
Website Development and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Small businesses no longer need to rely heavily on word of mouth and referrals to grow their business and attract leads. In today’s climate, there are a lot of potential customers who will simply search the web when they need products or services. Even local businesses that have a small regional customer base will benefit from having a great website and SEO model that drives their company toward the top of “Google” searches. It’s the simplest and fastest way for customers to find what they’re looking for so take advantage of it. Consider upgrading your website and its searchability to increase your volume of leads.
Key Employee Retention
You can give yourself as much credit as you deserve in succeeding with your small business, just don’t forget the others who have helped get you there. When you are fortunate enough to have key employees who work as hard as you do and fit into the model that you are building, don’t let them go. Great workers don’t grow on trees and can be just as critical to the company’s growth as you are. Do what it takes to retain them and acknowledge their importance to the business.
Maximize Your Cash Flow
If COVID taught us anything, it’s developing a business that can sustain itself when revenues are down over a steady period. While that experience might be an anomaly, you should consider structuring the financial side of your business so it can remain healthy during slower revenue periods without constraints on making payroll and fixed expenses. Think about stashing some funds away, restructuring your debt, or leveraging some equity you might have in real estate or equipment. Don’t overinvest in long-term projects that might have additional risks associated with them. In other words, manage your money for the long term and you will have a greater chance at continuing success.