Showing posts with label business goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business goals. Show all posts

Sunday, August 13, 2017

How You can Achieve Your Entrepreneurial WIN!



We all want to succeed. For some, success may mean finding your dream job or owning your own home. For others, it can be as simple, and as truly fulfilling, as finding someone to love who loves them back.

But if you have the drive to become your own boss, then your ultimate triumph is to create your own viable and successful business!

And while that may seem like an easy and straightforward feat at first, more often than not the road to entrepreneurial success is fraught with roadblocks and detours.

I often find that it is those challenges that hold the biggest lessons. They help us focus and discover what really works for us and our businesses.

There is no doubt that you will learn a lot along the way. To help you get a jumpstart on your own journey, I share some tips that have not only helped me but also my entrepreneurial friends! 


What You Need to Know to Run a Successful Business! "Tweet This"


Here are my Top 10 Business Lessons:

  1. Be Focused & Find Your Business Niche
  2. Have a Business Plan ~ and Write it Down!
  3. Be Smart & Market Wisely
  4. Understand that Time is Money
  5. Be Willing to Outsource or Hire Others 
  6. Find Ways to Stay Motivated
  7. Forge Your Own Path & Do What Works for You
  8. Be Honest in Your Business Dealings
  9. Don't Shy Away from Being a "Solopreneur"
  10. Find Time for a Personal Life & Remember to "Unplug"

Learn more about each of these tips and what they can do for you in "10 Lessons to Help You Find Success in Your Small Business".




Over time, I have found two other tips that I believe will also help you realize your business goals.

Number 1, Get Your Family and Friends Onboard. Let them in on everything that you are doing and what you hope to achieve.

They can be your best cheerleaders and your biggest support system. No one can make a go of it truly alone.

Number 2, Never Stop Learning! No one knows it all. But keeping your mind and eyes wide open to all the resources around you will help your business stay current and succeed. As in most things in life, curiosity and a thirst for knowledge is never a bad thing!


Running your own business can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. The key is to put in the work, know when you need help, and strive for a well-rounded life.

Accomplish that and you will truly be a success!

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Monday, May 15, 2017

Tips to Help You Breathe New Life into Your Business



Every business gets in a rut.

Over the years, you may find yourself doing things the same way. You offer the same services or products. You use, or don't use, social media to your best advantage when marketing and branding your business. Generally, you are running your business the same way you have since you started.


But will operating under the Status Quo get you where you want to be? 


Doing things the same way, over and over, does a disservice to you, your employees, and your customers!

You will most likely find yourself becoming complacent, disinterested, and even downright bored, with your business. You have lost the energy and passion that drove you to become an entrepreneur in the first place.

Soon your employees and customers will feel it too.


That is no way to run a business!



Is it time to Breathe New Life into Your Business? "Tweet This"


Instead of accepting it, this is exactly the time you need to breathe new life into your business!


What you need now are some tips and a plan 
to get you started!

The key is to discover a way that will not only bring the excitement back to you and your business, but will also attract and keep the clients you need!

I believe that the best tip is to start with you! Your attitude towards your business can make all the difference on how your brand is received.


Start by focusing on "Why" you do what you do.


Remembering, or even recognizing for the first time, what it is about your business that drives you is key.

The understanding of how your business speaks to your inner core will help you establish your brand and reach the perfect customers for your business.

Read about my journey towards discovering my "Why", and how you can do it too, in "I Know Why I Do What I Do"!


Now it's time to Get the Spark Back!


Once you reconnect with the driving force behind your business, 
it is much easier to brain storm 
on the different ways to get out of your rut 
and present a fresh face to the world.


Take a look at your marketing. Does it mesh with your "why" and core values? If not, it may be time for a re-brand.

Do your social sites reflect that brand? Everything from the original posts you create, the articles you share, and even color scheme you use on your sites, should present a cohesive and unique picture of you and your company. If they don't, then it is time for a change!

How about the products and services you offer? Are they inline with your current brand? Do they truly solve your customers' wants and needs? If not, re-evaluate them now!

Remove any that no longer stack up. Re-vamp others that may be a bit behind the times. Doing this will help your company become more exciting and relevant.  


However, my best tip of all for giving your business the jumpstart it needs is to launch an entirely New Product or Service!


The benefits to your company include:
  • Keeping Your Business Fresh and Current
  • Helping You Get Past the Slow Times
  • Reawakening Your Interest and Passion for Your Business
  • Solving a New or Existing Customer's Problems or Needs
  • Attracting new Interest in Your Company

Discover more in "Quickest and Easiest Way to Revitalize Your Small Business"!


Are You Ready to Get Your Business out a Rut? Then the time is now to re-energize yourself and your company ~ and these tips are the perfect start!

Contact API and check out our Business Mentoring services now to get more tips to help you succeed with your business!



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Monday, December 26, 2016

Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to 2016?

Created by Kimberly Kline, API




It happens at the end of every December…. 

It is time to say goodbye to the past year 
and hello to the next!


But this yearly ritual often means different things to different people.




Some are sad to see the past year go.  Maybe they had some great things happen to them or their family.  Or they simply lament the passing of time.




While others are more than ready to start fresh.  It may have been an especially hard year ~ losing a loved one or problems with their job or family.




No matter what the case may be, there is no one that will not be effected one way or another when the clock strikes midnight.




That includes me!




After all, it is an exciting time when we get to herald in another new year.




And one of the first things many of us will do 
is make some New Year’s Resolutions.




But I, for one, will not be taking this traditional path.  The beginning of a new year is simply not the best time for me to decisions about what I want to accomplish or change in the coming year.



While I applaud the desire to make positive changes through our resolutions, I am here to say that I will not be making any.

That is not to say that I don’t welcome the idea of fresh starts, and the beginning of a brand new year seems like the perfect time for this.  By its very nature it comes with feelings of hope and possibility.

I, however, choose not to participate.

This time of year I recognize that I simply have too much on my plate to really focus on making any big decisions or setting goals.
I have to do what is right for me.”  
excerpt from “No New Year’s Resolutions ~ Who is With Me?”.





No New Year Resolutions ~ Why I Choose to Look Back Instead!  “Tweet This”



So instead of looking forward, I find that the older I get, the more reflective I become.



And one of the first things I think about is how truly lucky I am.




My family is my rock…and nothing I have ever or will ever accomplish happens without them and their unwavering support.  I only hope they feel they get the same from me.





I am also lucky to have so many of you 
that continue to read what I write and, hopefully, find some value in it.  
You keep me going.




Finally, I am excited and thankful for a new venture I have recently set in motion (I will share more about this in the coming weeks!).  Just like when I first started by blog, this path has revitalized my drive and passion for what I do.




I now have a new perspective and out of complacency has come purpose and drive.




What more could you ask from a year?






I wish you all 
the time to reflect on the good things 
that have happened in the past year, 
and a chance to look to the coming year 
with hope and wonder.





Enjoy, and see you again in 2017!!!


Authored by  






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your own Small Business?  
You will get one new article each week 
focused on Small Business Tips and News.






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Monday, September 8, 2014

Fall is Really Our “New Year”, and It Should be Yours Too!


While traditionally, many make their “new year” resolutions in January, that has never been the case for us. Instead, we choose to make ours in the beginning of September. And here is why.....
When September rolls around we are in a very different place than we are at the beginning of a New Year. We have usually had the chance to relax, at least somewhat, over the last few months. Summer’s longer days and nicer weather has meant vacations and long weekends, and we have even able to take a real vacation “laptop free” ~ see how we managed that here.

Even our business has been in slow down mode. Many of our clients are taking vacations themselves and the need for our services lessens. While we certainly don’t stop work completely, there is a definite reduction in the amount of time we need to take to complete our tasks.

In addition, for many September officially heralds in the start of a new school year. And even though we no longer have children to send off, for us it still signifies a time to get back to work and follow a schedule. 

We see Fall as a perfect time for a fresh start. We find that when September begins we really feel a new energy and am ready to tackle our business head on.

Neither of these things are true for us in January.

For the most part, by the time the new year rolls around, we are usually exhausted. Holiday demands ~ decorating, baking, family gatherings ~ have taken their toll. The last thing we are ready to do is buckle down and set goals for us or our business.  

So instead, each Fall we begin our true “New Year”. We are mentally and physically ready to be objective and honest about ou business goals and can set a true course to achieve them.

3 Steps to Help You Make & Keep Resolutions for Your Small Business!  "Tweet This"

And these 3 Steps are where we place our efforts:



  • Reflect
Now is a great time to look back and see what we have accomplished since the beginning of the year. We will take a good hard look at what is working and what still needs work and ask ourselves if we are where we want to be. 

We also can be honest about what we are doing, or not doing, to achieve our goals. Are we wasting too much time on one thing at the detriment of another? 

Our tip to You ~ Be sure to focus on weeding out what is not working ~ why should you waste your time? This may mean dropping products or services that are no longer viable or adding new ones that are more in line with your goals.

This is not a time to stress about what you didn’t get done. However, it is the time to be honest about your business and yourself. The point now is to move forward.
  • Reevaluate
Now we will make a list of our goals and prioritize them. We need to decide what is most important and work on that first.  

Our tip to You ~ Mix “quick fixes” with more lengthy projects. This will help you quickly gain a sense of accomplishment, so important in keeping you motivated.

At this point we will add to that list ways we can make our business more profitable. To that end, we will reevaluate the actual costs of running our business. Are there places we can save? Do we need to spend more in some areas?  

This is when we will determine whether we need to raise our prices. If we do, then we are sure to give our current clients a heads up. Our practice is to announce now that a price increase will take effect at the start of the new year. This gives our clients plenty of notice and a chance to request our services at the current price until then.
  • Refocus
For us, that means taking a fresh look at what really brings us the most joy in our business and edit our new goal list accordingly. We find we need to remind ourselves of “why” we do what we do. When we have that squarely in mind, then it is easy to see where we should place our focus.

This core is what makes our business uniquely ours. For example, several years ago we decided to refocus on our desire to work exclusively with small businesses. To that end, our new goal list concentrated on what we could do to accomplish this.  

By re-focusing, we able to fine tune our resolutions into a list that really makes the most sense to us and our business.

Our Tip to You ~ Set Your own goals to reflect what makes you unique. Find your “why” and align your “new year’s” resolutions accordingly.  

Now you know why we choose fall to be the start of our “new year”, and we think it could be yours too! Give it a try!
Please Pay it Forward and share this article on your favorite sites. And leave a comment, we would love to hear what works for you in your Small Business!


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You will find many more tips to help you in your Small Business on our site, accessprofilesblog.com. We would love to help you achieve your own success!

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Is Your Company Ready to Hire? 10 Tips on “When” and “How” to Do It Right!


These 10 tips on hiring are a great way to help you start moving your business forward. Take a look...
Are You in the Market for a New Hire?  

Hiring can be both an exciting and scary proposition. That is why, before you take the leap, you need to recognize that determining “When and How” to hire is just as important as figuring out “who” to hire. 
You Need to Learn "When & How" to Hire for Your Small Business!  "Tweet This"

These 10 Hiring Tips will streamline the process. They will help You Decide “When” it is the best time to Hire and “How” to Find and Choose that New Hire.

You Should Hire When:
  • Your Current Workforce Cannot Meet Demand - If demand for your product or services is more than you can fill with existing employees or the quality of your product or services is suffering due to overwork, it is time to consider hiring.
  • You Need a New Skill Set to Grow Your Company - Maybe something has changed in your product or service that requires different expertise. Filling that gap can propel your company forward.
  • You Can Afford to Hire - It goes beyond the salary. It involves your ability to meet the costs of advertising, training, background checks, and workspace for a new hire.

So now you know the “when”, it is time to discover “how”You will Know "How" by Asking Yourself:
  • Do I Know Exactly What My Company Needs? - What skills and personality traits would make someone ideal for the job?  Do you need someone full time, part time, or would you be better served outsourcing what you need? Creating the perfect job description first will help you determine the best candidate (and is essential when conducting any pre-employment screening ~ find out more about this here).
  • Will I Conduct a Thorough Background Check? - Hiring safely and wisely means verifying all the information listed on your applicant's resume as well as researching past criminal behavior (within compliance laws). This added step will go a long way to ensure you are hiring the right candidate.
  • Have I Looked at My Existing Employee Pool First? - Is there someone currently on staff that could handle these new duties? Is there someone who is currently not being used to their full potential? If not, Do your existing employees know someone who would be a good fit for both the position and with your company? After all, next to you, no one knows your company better!
  • Have I Looked within My Professional and Personal Network? - Be specific about what you are looking for and reach out for referrals from others you know and trust.
  • Have I Looked Beyond My Network? - Sometimes you need to go outside your network to find what you need. One avenue is to look to local universities and contact their alumni placement program. You can get some fresh talent this way.
  • Have I Considered Making Hiring a “Team Effort”? - Find out from your existing employees what makes your company a good place to work. Are there areas where you can improve? What kind of person do they feel would “fit in” well? By inviting them to be part of the interviewing process you are creating a welcoming work environment for the new employee when you do hire.
  • Can I Sell the Advantages of Working with a Small Company? - Emphasize the “personal” attention and encouraging environment of a small business. Make sure to show them ways you would be willing to help them reach their goals (check out my blog on mentoring to find out more). You may not be able to compete with the bigger companies on salary or vacation, but you can offer other incentives to entice workers.
Using these tactics will help you determine both “When” and “How” to make a new hire. They will provide you with the means to find quality candidates who will help your business reach the next level. And isn’t that your goal?

Please Share this Post and Leave a Comment.  We would love to hear from You!  Thanks!

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Sunday, January 20, 2013

10 Tips to Help You Succeed in Your Small Business!



Business Mistakes do not have to derail you.  
If you look at them correctly, they can be a great way to re-focus your business and find greater success than ever before!

“Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” Winston Churchill


We have all been there. We think we are firmly on the right path. We have done what we need to do and are ready to start or expand our own business. We are slowly building up our client base, providing a quality product or service, and generally on our way to success. Then it happens...................

As small business owners we all know that problems can seem to come out of nowhere.  
We also know that even if we are not at fault, these problems need to be resolved in order to keep our clients happy and our company on the right track.

Here we will share with you 10 lessons we have learned over the course of running our own small business.

10 Things You Need to Know about Small Business!  "Tweet This"

What We have Learned about Business:
  • You Need to Be Specific about the Scope of Your Business
The more you are able to find that “niche” in the market, the easier your road to success will be. By being specific, you are immediately able to set yourself apart.
  • You Need to Write a Business Plan
Putting your plan in writing gives it an immediate feeling of “reality”. It does not have to be a long, tedious document full of “legalese”. It does, however, have to be a map of your company. It should outline your purpose, structure, and operating procedures. Remember, this is not set in stone. Most likely it will always be adaptable ~ and this is a good thing!
  • You Need to Spend Your Time on “Smart” Marketing
First and foremost, you need to know where your customers are and Go There! Marketing is all about repetition. Make sure your name is seen frequently no matter what methods you choose.

  • You Need to Value Your Worth
One of the hardest things for many new businesses to realize is that “time is money”. When you are figuring out the prices for your products or services, it is important to factor in your time.

Each moment you spend has value. The lesson we needed to learn early on was to not short change ourselves. You may have to study your competition to get a feel for this, but it is worth it ~ and it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
  • You Need to Be Willing to Outsource
We are not all experts in everything. It is much more cost effective to outsource those things that we cannot or simply do not want to do. For example, we have outsourced our taxes from day one. We know that they are done right by our accountant and that he is more likely to keep updated on all tax regulations more than we ever would!
  • You Need to Stay Motivated
It is easy to be “gung ho” in the beginning. Sustaining that enthusiasm for the long haul is something else. That is why it is critical to do whatever it takes to keep things fresh and interesting.

At API, that means re-evaluating at the end of each year and re-inventing ourselves with what we have learned. Check out our end of the year blog article on this here. When we able to shake things up a bit, it keeps us both interested and committed.
  • You Need to Find What Works For You
It is important to realize that what works for someone else may not work for you. Copying someone else’s path to success will most likely result in your failure. Why? Because you need to think of yourself as unique!

It is important to focus on why you are different from your competitors, not how you are the same. As stated previously, find your unique “niche” and run with it.
  • You Need to Realize the Need to Separate “Professional” from “Personal”
One mistake many new business owners make is not realizing the importance of “taking a break”. It is not productive, or healthy, to spend all your waking hours on your business.

We have found that it is essential to “unplug” and recharge. We can then return to work refreshed and able to focus on the tasks at hand.

You can find out more about the need for downtime in "Stop ~ 
Why it is time for You to Unplug from Your Job!"

  • You Need to Be Authentic to Build Trust
Building trust is key to creating a "brand" that others want to do business with. You need to have a good grasp of the values under which you want to conduct your business. You then need to align your actions with those values.

Many business owners are under the misguided impression that true “honesty” cannot be accomplished in business. This is a big mistake.

Being “fake” or not genuine will be found out. Those that promise the moon but deliver nothing may win the initial battle, but will surely falter in the long war!
  •  If You Can, You Need to Go It Alone
“My mistake was putting my product in small shops and letting someone else sell it for me. I will never do that again. I lost sales and money.” -Veronica Nourse, The Cupertino Soap Company

No one knows your business like you do!  

These words cannot be said often enough. You know the direction you want to go, and you know the steps you are willing to take to get there. Face it, only you know your product or service inside and out.

Having the freedom to take your business in the direction you alone choose is exhilarating!

Just remember, making mistakes and learning along the way can be a good thing. “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison
The bottom line is, despite mistakes and misdirections, you can succeed. By its very nature, running your own business is at times filled with uncertainty and fear. It is your ability to look past those mistakes and fears that will define you as a business owner and as a person.  

Please Share this and Leave a Comment. We would love to hear from You!

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API can Help You Succeed inYour Business!


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Monday, January 14, 2013

What I Have Learned Navigating the World of Social Media!










I am still constantly amazed at what using social media (even with my limited "tech" skills) has brought to my business.  I continue to be grateful for the wonderful connections I have made and enjoy the wider audience I have been able to reach....


Like most of us, I have hopped on the “Social Media” bandwagon.  I have the obligatory business and personal Facebook pages, LinkedIn profile, a website, and blog.


I have also joined groups within these platforms to keep me informed and to make the connections I need.  I contribute regularly to these groups by posting both original and shared content.


So, what is the problem?  It can all be so overwhelming! 


I am sure that I am not saying anything new here.  We have all found ourselves feeling pulled in too many directions and unsure as to whether we were truly giving our best to any of them.


Add in the need to do our “regular” work, and there is a recipe for overload in the making.


As I took stock of the situation at the end of the year (great time for reflection don’t you think?), I vowed to make a change.  My goal was to increase the quality of my social media presence, but decrease the “hair pulling” that had been a large part of the process in the past.


After taking a good, honest look at the situation, this is what I decided:


 I Need to Realize I Cannot Be Everywhere

The key here is to determine where your existing and desired
        client base is and go there.  Being on too many Social Media
        sites just waters down your efforts.


Narrowing your scope will actually broaden your reach.  It
        will take up much less of your time and will pay off with
        increased engagement with your clients. 


 I Need to Listen to My Fans


The most important thing to remember is that Social Media is
        not about selling.  Of course we all want that in the end, but
        first and foremost it is about “clicking” with your customers.
  

Your goal should be to listen to what is important to them and
provide information to help solve their problems, get them
        thinking, and entertain.


This is also a great way to find new ideas as topics for your
        original and shared content.  Writing and posting topics of
        interest to your fan base makes it so much easier to find the
        engagement and sense of community we all want.


 I Need to Schedule My Posts


Use those Social Media management tools to pre-schedule
        your  updates.  Schedule a time every day or every other day
        (find what works best for you) and set up your posts all at
        once.


Using these tools will allow your posts to show up regularly 
throughout the day.  This has been the single most effective
tool to free up more of my time.


 I Need to Learn Where to Find Great Content


While there is no doubt original content rules, the main
        reason I started blogging (check out my previous article here 
        to find out more),  most of us will need to share content from
        others.  When doing this, it  is important to keep in mind the
        “voice” you want to project and only share content that
        mirrors this.


At first I was scanning the internet and sites like LinkedIn to
        find what I needed.  Then this past year I came upon a site
        called “Prismatic”.  Prismatic allows me to type in key words
        to locate articles on topics I am interested in sharing.  This
        has really taken the headache out of the process.


 I Need to Make and Nurture “True” Connections


I need to preface this by saying I am not a huge fan of 
        “connecting” just to “connect”.  The connections I value are
        the ones where there is a lot of give and take.
  

I have been fortunate enough to find a few unique and very
        giving people on my social networks.  We encourage each
        other, share each other’s posts and blog articles, and
        genuinely promote each other.


These are the connections I will take the time to engage with 
regularly and strive to make more like these.  This is where I
find my true “value” - having the opportunity to create such a
reciprocal relationship.



 I Need To Relax


Does it really matter if one of my posts doesn’t get the “likes”
        or comments that another one does?  Does that make that post
        any less relevant or worthwhile?  The short answer is “No”!


While I know right about now many of you are in an uproar, I 
        just don’t see it that way.  In the  eyes of many, the statistics
        on views, engagement, and ROI (Return on Investment) are
        the “be all and end all” of any Social Media effort.


I like to take a broader view.  My goal is long term.  I do not
        expect “instant” gratification.  I look at my social media
        efforts as a process.  One that over time will make more
        people aware of my company and my business philosophies, 
        more than I could ever have hoped to reach through any other
        means.


The bottom line....using Social Media platforms to promote your business is good business.  It is a fantastic way to extend your client base way beyond the reach of traditional means.


However, I choose to take it slow.  I have come to realize that making  myself crazy over statistics and spreading myself too thin are counter-productive.


I am subscribing to the old saying “slow and steady wins the race”. Having the chance to establish myself and gain trust in what I have to say are my true goals.


Now it is time to discover your own!  Good Luck!

Authored by





Would you like more information or help with Your Small Business?  

Email me at .  You can also visit my blog accessprofilesblog.com and website www.accessprofiles.com.  I would love to hear from you!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

5 Steps to Help Grow Your Small Business

#SmallBizTips 
Deciding when and how to expand your business is never easy. However, these 5 suggestions can help.......

When you start your own business, you are usually inundated with a seemingly endless list of tasks. Just keeping up with the day to day demands can be daunting.

The idea of actually growing your business may not even occur to you. But then, one day, you are faced with a possible cross roads. Do you keep the status quo or take a further plunge and expand?

Now is the perfect time to ask yourself some direct questions and consider your options.

5 Steps to Help Grow Your Small Business!  "Tweet This"

How Can I Grow my Business?
Most Small Business Owners are faced with this question at some point. It usually comes at a time when your hard work is starting to pay off and you see real progress in reaching your initial goals.

It is then you may start to think it is time to Grow and Expand Your Company. You may consider increasing your workforce, entering a new market, or something else designed to generate new business.

While there are many possibilities as to what direction you can take, it is vitally important to choose the correct one according to your business and your new set of goals. You should make sure you take into consideration your type of business and the amount of time and money you are willing to invest.

If you weigh your options and decide to move ahead, here are 5 possible steps you can take:

You can Diversify
This is an option whether you are a product or service based business. You can choose to create something new to add to what you already have to offer.

I have used this option. By periodically adding new services, I have been able to expand my client pool and add value to my already existing clients.

By using this tactic, your business has better access to different sources of income. It also keeps your business "fresh" and exciting to your customers!

You Can Target Other Markets
Even though the market you currently target produces sales, taking a fresh approach and looking at what you can offer additional markets could be just the growth push your company needs.

Take a hard look at your products and services. Are there additional markets that may also have a need for them or that have a problem you can solve? Consider these your new "target markets".


You can Buy, Merge, or Partner with Another Business
Pooling resources is a great way to expand. You can consider purchasing outright a struggling or bankrupt business. You can also decide to merge or partner with another similar or compatible company.

Either way, there are definite benefits; a "ready-made" customer base, the ability to retain the best employees from both companies, and the chance to combine resources and knowledge.

You can Open Another Location
This can be a tricky option, but one many small business owners desire. The main consideration here is the capital required. Is this step something you have existing capital to fund or would it be necessary to borrow to finance the new location?

It is important to consider the additional costs to run another location. You should plan for more "man power", utility costs, supplies, and even rent or mortgage costs.

You can Increase Your Social Media Presence
All Small Businesses should be Online! Even in tough economic times, or if no other step for "growth" is possible, being active and engaging on at least a few social media sites is necessary. This can be a "no-cost" to relatively low cost step.

Most small businesses have created the basic Facebook page, established an identity on LinkedIn, and many use Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram on a regular basis.

However, there are also additional platforms to consider. For example, writing a blog is a great way to establish a "voice". A blog can help your business build credibility and establish yourself as an "expert in your field". Writing an ebook can accomplish much of the same. Either way, it is a definite step to take to get your business notices and widen your reach. You can read more about the benefits of blogging here!

What I would caution, however, is that establishing a strong media presence can be extremely time consuming. While the "voice" you create definitely needs to be consistent, employing a professional company to run your social media is a valid expense.

Growing your business can encompass a full blown charge ahead or can simply be a few small steps designed to move your company in a forward direction.

What is most important is for you to fully analyze where your company is at the moment and where you want it to be in the future.

No matter what you decide, keep in mind these words from Benjamin Franklin:

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning"!

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