The theme of this week’s blogpost is collaboration and how you might view your “competitors”. The mindset with which you approach your business can significantly affect your business growth. This week’s blogpost is illustrated by a clownfish and an anemone. These two sea creatures enjoy a symbiotic relationship; each one benefits from the presence of… Continue reading How to supercharge your growth from the start
Category: Starting Out
The seed contains the plant: four lessons for start-ups which want to grow
Last week’s blogpost addressed the topic of growth and development. It concluded with a flower in bud, waiting to bloom. This week I have been reminded that my business proposition, like those of my potential, future clients, is still in its infancy, or in the start-up stage called MVP, as are those of many of… Continue reading The seed contains the plant: four lessons for start-ups which want to grow
How to develop a healthy business skeleton with planning and control
This week, I’ve spent much of my time on physiotherapy which will strengthen my muscles and my skeleton. For my business, I’ve been concentrating on my planning and my systems, and I realised that well-managed planning and control, and the use of established theory and models and mechanisms for a business, are akin to a… Continue reading How to develop a healthy business skeleton with planning and control
How to get your planning for a strategic marketing plan right from the start
This should not be as difficult as it might sound for newcomers to the marketing process to get to grips with. I’ve chosen to illustrate this post with a picture of roots because the start point for developing a strategic marketing plan is to understand where your business is now, i.e. where you are rooted.… Continue reading How to get your planning for a strategic marketing plan right from the start
How a small business can begin to develop a brand for their marketing activity
The best place to begin is to consider what branding is all about and to clear up a few potential misunderstandings. First, is branding what’s required to begin advertising a new product? No, branding is completely independent from advertising. A quick way to remember this is to think about these statements: “Advertising makes brands.” Wrong.… Continue reading How a small business can begin to develop a brand for their marketing activity
Four lessons I’ve learned from product–testing
Giraffes developed long necks to reach the leaves which grow high up on tall trees; the long neck gives giraffes an advantage over other animals which cannot reach to graze at a high level. In a similar way, product-testing gives a business the opportunity to adapt and improve its offering. I tested my new format,… Continue reading Four lessons I’ve learned from product–testing
Is it ever a good idea to give away your product or service for free?
It’s likely that most people would be reluctant to give away their product or service for free, since there will have been costs involved in making the product or service available. Common objections to giving away for free might include concerns that it would devalue your product (If people want it they should pay a… Continue reading Is it ever a good idea to give away your product or service for free?
A guide to social media for small businesses
Social media offer great opportunities to small businesses, but may be new and unfamiliar to many; so here is a concise guide to the main platforms, identifying their strengths and relevance.