The Four S’s to Successfully Scaling Your Biz

Why do some business owners successfully launch and grow their business in a relatively short period of time, while others struggle for years to make any money? Is it because the successful business owners are smarter? Highly doubtful. Is it that they work harder? Definitely not true either. Maybe they just got lucky? Not likely.

Achieving the business growth and success you desire requires a strategic approach. It’s about consistently using tried and true formulas that have been proven to work. If something isn’t working in your biz, or you aren’t enjoying the monetary growth you desire, there are a couple of reasons for this. One extreme reason could be that your business is simply not viable — you have a business service or product that no one (or not enough people) needs or wants.

We’ve all seen Shark Tank. A business owner walks into the tank to pitch his/her idea to the sharks. Most of us know right away when we see an idea that is absolutely not going to fly. No shark is going to bite. You watch the business owner struggle to sell his concepts/products and ultimately get eaten alive by the sharks. Dejected, they walk away. Some will give up their dream and others will go back to the drawing board.

Personally, I don’t think most businesses fall into the category of not being a viable business idea. There are a lot of very smart, hard-working entrepreneurs in this world. But given the amount of business coaches, I also know there are a lot of struggling business owners as well. Trust me, I’ve been there myself when I owned my first business.

Most small business owners that struggle to grow their business are lacking in a particular area. In other words, there are specific strategies they are not taking advantage of that could make a significant impact on their business. While these four strategies are certainly not comprehensive, I have learned through my years of entrepreneurship that these ideas are certainly worth mastering.

So here are my favorite strategies for business growth — what I call the four “S’s”…

#1 — SENSATIONAL CONTENT

Content is everywhere! It’s part of your website, your social media presence, your blog, your curriculum, your advertising, your marketing materials, your workshops. And the list goes on. The truth is you and millions of other people are using content to grow their business as well. So you have to be SENSATIONAL! Not sensational for everyone, but sensational for your ideal market. You need to speak to your audience in a way that absolutely wows them.

I spoke with two individuals this week that took me by surprise. One person said “I am reading your blog and learning so much from you. I started at the very beginning of your blog and I am reading every article.” The other individual I met told me, “I’ve read through your whole website and I love who you are. I love what you stand for and I just know I want to work for you!” This is what can happen when you provide sensational content. It will resonate with the “right” people. If you reach enough “right” people, your business will grow.

Always give 110% of your most authentic self when providing content for your audience. It will not speak to everyone but I promise you, sensational content sells.

#2 — SYSTEMS AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

In my line of work, there is nothing more important than organization and relying on consistent processes and procedures. If you look at the areas that are broken in your business, it almost always ties back to an inefficient or nonexistent process. For instance, examine all your marketing efforts in your business. How many of these activities follow a pre-defined, consistent, and documented procedure?

Do you sometimes post to social media or write a blog when you feel the inspiration strikes you? Or is there an editorial calendar that is prepared monthly and you diligently follow it? At Amazing OBM, our blog goes out every week on Wednesdays. Our social media calendar is planned two weeks prior to the month beginning and everything is scheduled for daily posting. The process is stored in our project management tool and Google Drive and the plan runs like clockwork. The same or similar procedure is used for every one of our clients.

Standard operating procedures are great. Ensuring that they are followed is even better.

#3 — SMASHING TEAM

When I first started using Quickbooks Online to manage my business finances, they had the best customer service ever! I remember raving to my clients about how great this software tool was, convincing everyone to invest in QB Online. Today it is a nightmare. Whenever I have an issue that needs to be resolved, instant procrastination sets in. A simple fix that should take 5–10 minutes can take up to 45 minutes to resolve. Why? Because their team doesn’t know what they are doing.

Never underestimate the power of having a smashing team. It can make or break your business. Often I will see business owners trying to do everything themselves to save money. Or they will try to cut corners by hiring the cheapest team members they can find. While I do acknowledge the need to make smart financial decisions for your business, cutting costs with your team can be dangerous.

I am of the firm belief that your people are your most valuable resource. You cannot do success alone. You need other people. People that have strengths you don’t have. People that can do the things you don’t enjoy, or the things you aren’t good at. Not just a warm body that can do the work, but high-quality team members. Team members that are aligned with your mission. Team members that will treat your business like their own. What does a smashing team look like for you? What values and skills do they have?

Hire that smashing team and treat them like gold!

#4 — SHOW UP!

For me, this is a very loaded phrase and one that is so integral to business success.

• Show up and work hard every day.
• Show up with your most authentic self.
• Show up and make yourself known to the world.
• Show up and honor your values.
• Show up as an amazing leader for yourself, your team, your business, your family, your friends!
• Show up for YOU, because you matter!

We have all been guilty of hiding. Hiding behind our computers in hopes that the clients will show up. Hiding from people because we are unsure of how to sell ourselves. Hiding from our God-given gifts and talents. Hiding our voice for fear of rejection. Hiding our creative ideas because we are unsure if they will be accepted. Hiding behind what is easy so we can stay in our comfort zone. Hiding from success because we don’t believe we deserve it.

Hiding, my friend, will not grow your business. Showing up will!

Need a smashing team to help you scale your biz? Amazing OBM provides digital marketing services for heart-centered entrepreneurs that are ready to show up, systematize, and spread sensational content in the world. To access all our free resources for growing your business, visit https://amazingobm.com/free-resources