Build your business for the people
Nick Cramp
Coach | Facilitator | Optimist - Challenging leaders to embrace a Better Before Bigger mindset
Would you like to take your business to the next level, but are unsure how best to do this?
If you want some fresh ideas and tested frameworks that can help you improve your company for the future, I have created this newsletter for you.
It is often the case that you cannot move beyond your current targets, because your methodology has not changed. What got you here most probably won’t get you there. Therefore, I encourage ambitious leaders to rethink their growth, so they can explore exciting new possibilities.
This isn’t about quick fixes. I want to guide you towards sustainable success, but to do this you have to get better before you can get bigger.
Build your business for the people
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One of the great challenges of leading a business is properly attending to your various stakeholder groups.
How do you communicate with your most junior employees? Are you so sales focused that you’re only considering your customers? When was the last time you touched base with your partner companies?
This might seem like a matter of simply splitting your budget, so that each group receives appropriate investment. However, I would argue that dividing your attention and demonstrating you care is even more vital. They need to understand that you see them as an integral part of your business.
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A limiting mindset – Delegate down
Finding the correct balance between leadership and empowerment can be complicated. As I see it there are two scenarios to choose from:
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1.?Delegated responsibility – This relies on a small number of people to oversee tasks in your business. Whilst delegation might seem like spreading responsibility effectively, it can cause a bottlenecks, where reports need feedback and actions require approval. This can be efficient when all processes are standardised, but allows little room for individual accountability.?
2.?Shared accountability – In this scenario, employees are trained to respond to a greater diversity of situations. They are trusted to find solutions and given appropriate leeway if errors are made. Instilling this culture into your organisation fosters innovation, having the twin benefits of engaging employees and reducing the strain on its leaders.
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Don’t let people hide in your company. Encourage them to excel.
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A missing element – Complimentary clients
There is certainly an increasing focus on marketing in modern business, but it doesn’t matter how many blog articles, social media posts or videos your organisation creates, if you aren’t harnessing the words of your existing clients.
With a great number of options to choose from, the most valuable differential for people choosing your company is the opinions of others. This objective measure shows what the product/service you offer will be like and how trustworthy you are. What’s important first off is to ensure that you are delighting your customers, but second providing them with a means of sharing this delight.
Create an automated system for generating testimonials and case studies. Target your most loyal clients and further their loyalty by giving them a discounts and special offers. This will incentivise them to write/record more flattering things about your business. Implement these actions and you will be creating a far cheaper, autonomous marketing department.
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A different perspective – Reciprocity rewards
Too many companies view the relationship with their partner organisations, such as suppliers, as transactional.
Whilst being a business leader is all about maintaining professional relationships, it should also be concerned with making connections. Demonstrating you appreciate the efforts of people around is the surest way to continue positive outcomes for both parties. If it’s clear that one party has little regard for the input of the other, this will lead to mistrust, limited engagement and ultimately substandard results.
That’s good for nobody.
Build healthy, long-term relationships with your partners. Communicate what you need from them and ask them what they need from you. Having a clear, uncomplicated relationship means that when deadlines or targets aren’t quite met, you can have an honest conversation to prevent this happening again.
A leadership role is so much more than knowing the technical ins-and-outs of your organisation. You’ve got to be a people person to get the most out of those around you. This doesn’t mean you have to be their best friend, just show that you appreciate their contribution. Whether its employees, customers, or partners, you wouldn’t have a business without them.
If you know anyone might benefit from the content of this article, please share it with them and encourage them to subscribe to the newsletter. My aim is to help as many people create the businesses they have always wanted.?
Hello, I’m Nick Cramp. I’ve been working as business owner and coach now for around three decades.
During this time, it often occurred to me that many leaders feel unfulfilled by their work, which seemed a pity given the amount of time and effort they have invested. I wanted to change this, so have created and collected a selection of the best strategies for business improvement.
My main mantra is that an organisation must get better before bigger. The reason for this is that without the optimal people, processes and systems, you have no springboard to reach that next level and cope.
In 2021, I published my book Better before Bigger – Rethinking Business Success, which alongside my coaching and courses, outlines a holistic approach to running a thriving company.
I want to guide ambitious leaders towards the best practices and results, so their reality can align with their ambitions.
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Book a FREE, no commitment Introductory Call with me if you are interested in discussing whether I may have the solutions to your challenges. ?
Check out my website if you would like to find out more about me and the services I offer.
Take the Next Level Scorecard for a more insightful perspective of your company, to inform future decision-making.
Follow this link to my book if you are interested in finding a practical guide to taking your business to the next level.
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