[Part Five] - Four Steps for Regional Business Success: Understanding the Statistics

Stand Up!

It’s clear that there are many things you can do to change the future of your business immediately. There are other things that take time. After all, small business is a marathon and not a sprint.

A healthy, resilient business must be capable of rising to each challenge.

And it is incumbent upon you, as the business owner or CEO, to stand up, get moving, and get uncomfortable. This is because your business will not outgrow you. The health, resilience and adaptability of your business is directly linked to your willingness to grow.

Now, more than ever, your personal growth is imperative. Why? Because the world is in the midst of rapid and unprecedented change. There is a new sense of global interconnectedness, and we are exposed to the greatest in human and business achievement every minute of the day.

This exposure inspires and dares us to do greater things – to take greater leaps forward – and to realise our full potential as human beings. In striving to do greater things, you must have the courage to demand more and not settle for less. https://www.theacademy.net.au/four-steps-for-regional-business-success-understanding-the-statistics-part-four/

You are called to do business differently. You are called to experience a wider perspective, and refocus your business so it is aligned with the times. And so you have to be willing to get out of your own way and let others support you.

And, I get it, this is not easy.

When practised, though, there is a very real positive impact on your health and resilience (and, by extension, your business’s). As R. Buckminster Fuller said:

“When individuals join in a cooperative venture, the power generated far exceeds what they could have accomplished acting individually.”

allowing other people to support you is incredibly beneficial.

If you’re doing things on your own, you’re falling behind – and you’re likely feeling the pain and the struggle of doing so. This “go it alone” approach is, in my view, a systemic problem, and dampens the true potential of regional individuals and businesses.

You can stand up and take an approach that will serve you, your business, and the community around you. So, get started!

In business, we’re always part of a bigger picture, so we have a role to play in ensuring the system in which we operate is working for us. Start by using your voice – join your local business chamber, lobby your local member, talk to your council. Demand that regional small business is firmly on the agenda.

The most important thing in all of this is that you keep going – one foot in front of the other. When the path is not clear, forge your own. Adapt, play to your strengths and think of new ways of doing things, even when they’re scary as hell. There’s much to be gained from modern technology and don’t be afraid to think big.

Yes, running a small business is one of the toughest assignments on the planet, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. With technology and the digital age, there has never been a better time to scale your business and thrive. You just need the right people around you and the right business model and strategy. These things, plus an unwavering commitment to your own growth, will support you to get the job done.