Small Business Growth by Focusing on What Works

Find out what works and do it, over and over and over again.  Successful small business owners appreciate a success formula.  You need to learn to work towards the success formula that is best for your business and simply keep executing that plan.  A commitment to focusing on what works, is a great strategy to grow your small business. 

There is an old joke that demonstrates this principle.  A patient walks into the doctor’s office and says “Doctor, my arm hurts when I move it this way.”  The doctor replies:  “Well, stop moving it that way.”  The same principle applies in your business.  If something doesn’t work for you, stop doing it. 

I learned this the hard way when I started to promote my motivational speaking program for colleges.  I sent a direct mail marketing campaign to various decision makers at colleges.  One particular campaign cost $2000 and resulted in one phone call and no business.  So, what did I do?  I did another campaign that was bigger and better and twice as expensive.  Number of calls:  none. 

During this same time I did enjoy success leveraging personal connections.  Once decision markers knew me, and became comfortable with the quality of my programs, we were able to do business together.  Making personal connections, one on one, with leaders in the educational community, was working well.  So, what did I do?  Instead of continuing to work on what was effective, I wasted time and energy on direct marketing campaigns.  I didn’t focus on what was working and it cost me time, money, and energy. 

What works for you in your business?  If you are still searching for your secret formula, don’t give up the search.  If you’ve found a strategy that works for you, keep executing it. 

By focusing on what already works for you in your business, you are providing yourself a great strategy to help you grow your small business. 

Could you use more tips like this to accelerate the growth of your small business?  Achievement thinking is a powerful concept that Mark Mikelat, the founder of Building Aspirations, www.BuildingAspirations.com, uses to coach his small business clients to double or even triple the size of their businesses. You can learn more and take advantage of a free strategic analysis at http://www.BuildingAspirations.com/BusinessSuccess.html.  Also, you can view his books on Amazon.com.