You know the saying, ‘Work Smarter Not Harder?' This philosophy and approach to life can and should be parlayed over into your business. As a business owner, your time is precious. Finding a balance between the passion you used to start your business and your world outside of work can be challenging. One approach to finding this balance is to invest in yourself and your business by recognizing your strengths. These are the components of your business that are your ‘jam ‘ so to speak. Recognize that doing it all as a one-man show does not allow you to work smarter. Trying to do it all causes a loss in work-life balance and instead of working smarter, you work harder. Learn how to create a strategy that embraces this.
Six Strategic Areas You Can Not Afford to Ignore
Learn the 6 strategic areas that can't be ignored. Understanding and applying the strategies will cause efficiency to rise and the gains in your business will continue to be clear. It should be noted that all six strategies must remain related, cohesive, and connected to each other.
Strategy 1: Mission
Is it too broad? Of course, the goal is to do more business and make money but how? creating a specific mission allows you to be clear and concise with business and drive the ability to make a profit. Make sure your mission is focused and answers the why and what
Imagine your very best customer. Now ask yourself these questions to drive a specific mission: why do they use YOUR business.
How did they find you?
What do you solve for them?
What do they care about?
Why do they pick you over the competition?
Strategy 2: Vision
A vision is a vivid image of what you want your business to be at some point in the future, based on your goals and aspirations. A vision statement captures, in writing, the essence of where you want to take your business. Having a crafted vision isn’t required for success, but what it does is it can help as you are evaluating new opportunities or expansions. In short, it helps to keep your eye on the prize: focusing on a short-term goal to reach the long-term goal. Keeping your vision at the forethought when making business decisions can offer insight as you are evaluating new opportunities and expansions.
Strategy 3: Brand
The term brand is used fluidly with businesses. In its most basic understanding, it is the visual and feel of what you offer. Most people think that your brand is simply a well-designed logo, colors, and fonts BUT in reality, it is the perception of your product, service, experience, or organization. Your reality is that you know you have something amazing to offer people but if people’s perception of the product/service isn’t high, then, unfortunately, you have little value to them. These contradictions in perception can be corrected. If your visuals are neutral and airy, but your office and/or products are bright, bubbly, and cheerful, then there is a disconnect between your brand and the perception. Your brand should always ring authentic and be driven by your mission and division.
Ensure that your reality and their perception aren't contradictory
Strategy 4: Revenue
Is your revenue stream adaptable? How many people lost their main source of income due to Covid. The world paused and businesses had to move away from face to face to online. Companies that were able to diversify their product to meet the needs of the market were the ones able to not only survive the pandemic but ultimately they were able to thrive above those unable to adapt. Although the world may be transitioning from the changes due to the global pandemic, it is important to be prepared for the next “thing” that will cause you to have to adapt to keep your income diversified and streaming.
Strategy 5: Social
Your social media is a useful tool in your building business toolbox. Everything you share or post related to your company’s social needs to be directly related to the web and business. Your post should always drive traffic to your website. Its job is to act as a teaser to encourage the audience to take the next step and click the link to the website. By getting them to click the link to your website, you are one step closer to getting a new client or customer.
Strategy 6: Website
It may seem odd that it is listed last as your strategic differentiator to focus on, but it truly should be the last thing your build to drive business. If you complete the needed work with the first five differentiators, it will make creating and designing an effective website much easier. You don't get a 2nd chance for a first impression. Once a site is live and it doesn't encapsulate all that you offer, it will be too late to undo any online presence that did not best represent you and your business.
Work smarter; not harder.
Work smarter not harder with K. Cradley and Company
Being cognizant and methodical with the strategies you use as you approach your business will allow you to indeed work smarter not harder.
Utilize your strengths to grow and build, and if you find yourself struggling with any of the 6 areas of strategies reach out to us. We are ready to assist you and help the verbiage ring true.