The Stack of Books and Business Plan that Saved My Business from COVID (and My Poor Decisions)
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The Stack of Books and Business Plan that Saved My Business from COVID (and My Poor Decisions)

So, let’s talk about growing a business.

After 15+ years as an agency owner, I know a thing or two about running a successful business. However, in 2020 my business was in a vulnerable position, and then COVID hit.

I was running my business without clarity of purpose or direction and it almost folded like a house of cards. Here’s my?story.

In March 2020, when COVID sort of burst into the US public consciousness, we were saddled with over $200,000 in debt, very few clients, and no leads (pretty crazy for a lead generation agency, huh?).

I was stressed, but I had weathered a similar crisis in 2008 during the financial crisis.

So, unlike 2008, I was pretty confident I could pull us out of the nosedive.

In 2008 the existential threat of the melting down of the mortgage market nearly killed us, when all of our clients went bankrupt literally overnight.

Ironically, in 2020 we thought COVID was the crisis, but come to find out our real crisis was internal and of my own making.

Unlike in the past when I had experienced a revenue crisis, I didn’t downsize the organization. Instead, I got focused, did a lot of reading and research, wrote a business plan, and then worked on the plan.

A practice I have done every year since.

This was my quick 2020 COVID memo . Sort of a business plan. This led to my 2021 business plan and now has become a regular practice.

I’m firmly convinced that this exercise saved Kaleidico.

If you’re enjoying this story, you’d love my Lead Generation Weekly newsletter, where I give you play-by-play details on my winning business growth strategies. Join me: https://billrice.substack.com/

We doubled the revenue in both years, paid off all our debt by July of 2021, and built a sizable war chest by the end of 2021.

As we close out January 2022, we have quoted over $500,000 in additional revenue (most of which we will probably land). That will be a 33% growth rate in the first month of 2022. Not a bad rocketing start.

This time it isn’t magic or dependent on the market. After 16+ years of learning, it is built on a framework that is consistent, predictable, and calm.

I give to you my framework for amazing business growth. It’s simple to understand, but it will take a little sweat and a lot of discipline to?execute.

These are are the books I read or re-read in 2020 to put us in the position we are today.

The Minimalist Entrepreneur is the only exception. It just came out and I threw it on the stack because it’s that good.

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From this stack came the following essential elements and skills to run a highly profitable and life-changing business.

  1. Start with mindset. I have always taken on a very Stoic mindset. I don’t dwell in the past. I work with what I have. I am hyper-focused on working only on what I can control and cast the things I can’t out of my mind and concern.
  2. Sales and marketing (more sales than marketing) are everything. Become a master of this craft. If you don’t think this is in your nature then become an employee or investor in a company that has an exceptional salesperson or team.
  3. Run a calm organization with an ownership mindset. Don’t create an army of task-driven employees. Hire and inspire a team of talented individuals that think and make decisions. Turn them loose to create their ideal work and workplace. You’ll be impressed.
  4. Run a profit-first business. Nothing is more stressful for a business owner and team members than a business that is run on a razor-thin margin. Position yourself as the expert, learn to create amazing and consistent outcomes for clients, and then charge a premium. Everyone will be delighted, from client to employee to business owner.


Jason Cutter

Mission to help good companies help more customers | When a company wants more results from their sales team, that’s when you call me | Author of "Selling With Authentic Persuasion" | Guy with a Marine Biology Degree

2 年

This is such a brilliant and honest article. I love the advice and congratulate you on your success!

Phil Gerbyshak

Helping Sales Professionals and Sales Leaders Reclaim Their Confidence and Their Energy!

2 年

Another home run of a helpful article. Bravo Bill! And bravo for all your business success too!! I’m super happy for you my friend!

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