Adapting Like a Farmer: Strategies for Business Growth in Uncertain Times

"I never dreamed about success. I worked for it." — Estée Lauder

“Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?”

**This is the question I get asked all the time during interviews.?

Truth be told, I never dreamed about being an entrepreneur when I grew up. And it wasn’t because I didn’t find it interesting.?

I just didn’t know it existed.?

My world was very small. I’m a farm girl who hails from a literal ‘blink and you’ll miss it', one stop light small town.?

I was surrounded by entrepreneurs, and I came from entrepreneurs, but we weren’t called entrepreneurs.?

We were called farmers.?

And if farmers understand one thing, they know that being a farmer is hard work.?

It’s not sexy.

It’s not trendy.

It’s definitely not fun all the time.?

But it is very fulfilling. There’s a purpose. There’s a constant need for improvement and efficiency. And the daily mission is, ‘we keep the farm going’.

So entrepreneurship was and is a natural extension of what I’ve always known.?

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, startup founder, or CEO, you can probably relate. You also have a daily mission of ‘keeping things going’ and some days it feels like an uphill battle.?

And just like farming, where each season brings new challenges and opportunities, entrepreneurship is about adapting, evolving, and finding ways to grow even when the odds are stacked against you.

This mindset and knowing has been essential to the highs and lows of my own entrepreneurial journey. As a farmer, not every crop is going to yield the same as the year before and not every pig is going to produce 10+ piglets each and every year, so you learn pretty quickly where all your resources are, and how to best utilize those resources each and every year.?

As a business owner, you go through the same thing. Not every product or service will perform consistently well, and market conditions can change rapidly. Business owners must be adept at managing their resources, whether that means reallocating budget, optimizing operations, or investing in new areas of growth.?

This is why businesses must remain agile, constantly reassessing where to invest time, money, and effort to ensure continued success. They must know how to pivot their strategy, whether it’s shifting focus to a new product, rethinking marketing strategies, or finding new ways to reach customers.

HelloFresh is a prime example of a company that showcased remarkable agility during challenging times. They were already on a strong growth path when the pandemic struck, which spelled disaster for many companies and restaurants. Despite being a home delivery service, HelloFresh faced significant challenges in manufacturing, supply chain, and operations.

Yet, HelloFresh rose to the occasion by swiftly implementing strict safety protocols, rapidly scaling their operations, and maintaining clear and transparent communication with customers. This approach enabled them to meet the surge in demand and sustain their growth trajectory.

Their success during the pandemic underscores the critical importance of agility and strategic planning in business.

Here’s how you can apply these principles to your own company:

Invest in Digital Marketing: Just as HelloFresh leveraged their online presence to maintain and even grow their customer base, you should consider strengthening your digital marketing efforts. Invest in targeted campaigns, social media outreach, and SEO to ensure your brand remains visible and accessible, especially during challenging times.

Understand and Respond to Customer Needs: HelloFresh closely monitors changing customer behaviors and preferences, allowing them to adjust their offerings accordingly. Make it a priority to stay attuned to your customers' needs through regular feedback, surveys, and data analysis, so you can pivot your strategy when necessary.

Leverage Data to Drive Decisions: The ability to quickly adapt was crucial for HelloFresh, and this was possible because they used data to guide their decisions. Implement data-driven strategies in your business to optimize operations, forecast demand, and make informed decisions that keep your business resilient and responsive.

These are just a handful of strategies you can use to navigate challenges, capitalize on opportunities with the resources you have, and keep your business on a growth trajectory. But when it’s all said and done, it’s that inner resilience and hard work ethic that will carry you the rest of the way.

Feeling like you’ve got the inner resilience to reach your next steps? Great! Start by assessing where you can apply some of these strategies in your own operations. Whether it’s refining your marketing efforts, optimizing resources, or simply doubling down on your commitment to growth, now is the time to act. Feel free to email the Influence Builder team at [email protected] to see how we can help!

Danielle Fitzpatrick Clark is lovingly referred to as America's Favorite Digital Disruptor. She doesn't just live, breathe, and sleep digital marketing, she embodies the constant shifts and pivots needed to create long-lasting businesses and brands in the online space. She's a 4x LinkedIn Top Voice (Digital Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Social Selling & Lead Generation), Award Winning Podcast Host (Globally ranked top 3% most listened to podcast), International Speaker & Author, and a Top 20 Women Disruptors To Look Out For In 2023.

Her company Influence Builder is all about bringing the human element to the online tech and digital space. Specifically focused on helping the lesser-known experts, influencers and thought leaders, Influence Builder shows them how to break out of the noise, create powerful platforms, and thriving businesses so they can spread their mission and message to the world. This is the bridge where disruptors disrupt and build with authentic influence. Contact Danielle and her team about how they can grow your platforms, your audience, and your bottom line at [email protected].