Your business will have repeatable processes, even if you’re a sole proprietor. On your own, you may be keeping a lot of information in your head, since you’re doing it all yourself.
Unfortunately, that can take a toll over time. You may do the same things daily, weekly, or monthly, but eventually, you may come to a point of wondering if you did what you needed to. Or worse, you may be wondering how you did it the last time.
Developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, is an important step in building a viable business that’s ready to grow and scale.
What Are SOPs?
SOPs are outlines or checklists that demonstrate how to complete the repeated tasks that take place in your business, such as your social media management, customer service procedures, or other tasks.
They may not seem as important when you’re on your own, but as you scale, SOPs are essential to keeping your brand consistent and ensuring that everything is done on time and as efficiently as possible.
Also, creating an outline for repeated tasks helps you see where you can streamline your processes to save time. For some tasks, you may be creating more work for yourself because you have to start from scratch.
When you have SOPs, you have everything you need at your fingertips each time. You’re taking out everything that’s unnecessary, which is MUCH easier when you have a clear outline and plan.
Benefits of SOPs
How do SOPs help you streamline your business?
You can move faster through tasks, get more accomplished, and ultimately, earn more. You cut back on the time it takes to do the repeatable tasks your business needs, giving you more time to focus on mission-critical aspects of your business or to serve customers. In short, more money for fewer hours – who doesn’t love that?
You can bring on more team members and ensure that your standards are upheld. A well-documented process makes it much easier to bring on new team members and delegate tasks to them without concern for how it may impact your business or processes.
How to Create SOPs
SOPs aren’t as simple as they may seem to create. They take planning, coordination, and research to be fully functional.
Fortunately, there are numerous tools and templates to help, but here’s a quick breakdown.
Clearly articulate the vision of why you’re writing an SOP and what you’d like the reader to achieve.
Identify the reader you’re writing for. Identifying and understanding the audience ensures your SOP is appropriate for the employee and suited to their knowledge and experience.
Define the scope of the task. As your business scales, some tasks may overlap between departments, and this is where SOPs can get tricky. Before you begin, define whether the SOP will be general or specific to one department.
Choose the relevant format. Formatting is important in SOPs. Your general format should include:
– Title page
– Department, date, and ID
– Purpose statement
– Definitions
– Step-by-step instructions
– Additional information that’s relevant to the task
Let’s Get Started!
If you want your business to grow, SOPs are a must to streamline your processes and develop consistency across all employees and departments.
Are you looking for help with growing and scaling your business? Get expert guidance with experienced business coach Allison Todd! Work with Allison Todd directly.
Whether you started a side hustle as a passion project or you finally followed your dreams with your free time during the pandemic, it doesn’t have to be a side hustle forever.
Sure, starting a side hustle helps to bring in some extra cash, but what if you could do what you love full time? That can be a reality with the right planning and effort.
1. Research Your Market
According to Harvard Business Review, the best predictor of success is how well a business leader understands the market.
Is your project something that will still have a market in a year? In five years?
Here are some questions to ask:
Who is your target market?
Can your target customers afford your product or services?
Who are your competitors? Do they offer more or less than you? Have they been around longer?
Does your business have the potential to keep growing into the future? What do you need to make that happen as far as staff and overhead?
If you think your business can still grow and thrive in the long term, you can make it a reality.
2. Take the Necessary Steps to Scale
Many people take on a side hustle and keep their full-time job to increase their income. But before you can turn your side hustle into a full-time job, you need to know what steps are necessary to grow.
For example, maybe you started a small side hustle selling baked goods in your home kitchen. Do you have the setup to sustain a full-time business in your home kitchen?
As a business owner, you need to prepare for what you’ll need to scale your business, even if you hold on to your full-time job in the meantime. Whatever your dream is, you should envision your path to success and how you’ll attract and retain customers.
Consider things like:
Commercial space to produce or store your inventory and reach a higher volume of customers
Commercial-grade equipment or machinery
Employees you may need to hire to help you with the day-to-day operations
3. Create a Business Plan
A business plan forms the foundation for the future of your side hustle as a bona-fide full-time business.
Your business plan should include:
A business name
A description of the current target market
Competitor analysis
Cost analysis, including material costs, registration costs, staff costs, marketing budget, space rental, pricing plan, estimated volume and profits for each month, and a break-even point
Having a strong foundation can help you develop realistic expectations and attract investors to your business.
4. Seek Investors
Starting a business can be expensive, but investors can help you get a strong start. Your business plan is an essential tool to securing startup capital.
Consider options like:
Bank loans for small businesses
State and local grants
Small Business Administration loans
Crowdfunding platforms
Once you have the funding, you can get started scaling your business!
Keep Hustling
If you have a side hustle right now, you have the drive, passion, and talent to turn it into your full-time job and business. The road to success can be long and arduous, but strategies like these put you in the strongest position for future success.
Looking to scale your side hustle with the guidance of a professional coach? Work with Allison Todd directly!
One of the most effective ways to scale your business is to grow your team. But that can be a difficult undertaking with several considerations before you even start taking applications or interviewing contractors.
The Difference
A freelance contractor works for you independently and covers taxes on their own. An employee is an in-house team member that answers to you. You’re responsible for reporting their earnings to the IRS.
You hire a contractor as a 1099 employee after the terms and scope of services provided are agreed upon, as well as the cost. In this role, you will not have control over their process, pricing, or working hours, unless these were stipulated in the agreement.
This category would include:
– Freelancers
– Consultants
– Temp-to-hire
– Agencies
A W2 employee is usually a long-term arrangement where you provide consistent direction and supervision. You dictate their hours, their job expectations, and pay. For a W2 employee, you may also have to offer other benefits or insurance.
There is also no competition for their time. A contractor will have other clients and projects in the works that require their attention, whereas an employee is someone you don’t have to share.
The Cost
Independent contractors typically get paid with a flat fee for any services rendered or deliverables provided. This is usually determined in contract negotiations prior to any work taking place.
With a contractor, you’re paying for their talent and expertise. While you’re in control of your overall project, they will play a more collaborative role, like a consultant. As a business owner in their own right, consider them a partner in your business, not an underling.
For a W2 employee, you can pay an hourly wage or salary that fits within your budget. Talent that is interested in that pay scale will apply and may or may not negotiate pay. Keep in mind that when you hire a W2 employee, you will also have to cover any benefits, 401K, as well as cover tax payments.
Contractors will typically cost you more upfront with deposits and initial fees, whereas employees will require very little upfront but could cost you more over time.
The Bottom Line
What do you want most out of this new team member? Do you want total control over their schedule? Are you looking for someone you can train up who will buy into your company culture and mission?
Do you want exclusive access to their attention and talents? Are you hoping this person can wear multiple hats to take even more tasks off your plate? If you can afford all of the incidentals that come with an in-house employee, this may be the best path.
Or are you more interested in saving on hiring costs and benefits? Do you need more flexibility with short-term contracts? Is your need more immediate, and you don’t have time to train someone?
If you’re not sure what you need or who to bring on, let’s chat! Helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses is my sweet spot! Book a consultation!
It can be overwhelming for anyone to start and grow a business, let alone someone who is already managing a household. You’re in charge of housekeeping, child-rearing, meal planning and preparation, running errands, constant chauffeur duties, and a kiss for any boo-boos.
But in the midst of all that chaos, are YOU getting lost? Do you crave something that is all yours, with your stamp on it? Something to eventually make your life easier?
Friends, you can do both. And I’m going to show you how!
Be Flexible
Your LIFE is your priority, not your job or your business. If you are inflexible with your schedule or roles, you could end up making unnecessary sacrifices that will cost more in time, energy, and money.
I know the “mom guilt” comes on strong, and it’s easy to feel trapped between two worlds. Stay the course! When things crop up, and they will, that threaten to disrupt your progress, stay flexible and open.
Remember your priority. As a business owner, you are in charge of your schedule. You CAN make choices that suit your lifestyle.
Designate a Business Zone
Hotels have them, and so should your home! Whether it’s a tucked-away corner where you can still hear the children or a sound-proofed office with a do-not-disturb sign, your space should be treated like your working sanctuary.
When you sit in your sanctuary, focus on what you must do, decide what else you can do, and put off whatever is left. A separate space for only work-related tasks keeps you from being unnecessarily distracted.
Draft a Clear, Ambitious Plan That’s Still Achievable
If anyone can do it, a mom can! But if you don’t have a map, how do you know where you’re going? Of if you’ll get there?
Map out your big goals for the year. Where do you want your business to be one year from now?
Great! Now you know where you’re going, let’s create the route to get there. Break down your yearly goals into smaller steps that you can realistically achieve each month. When you reach the beginning of a new month, map out an overview of each week.
Intentionally schedule times when you can work uninterrupted but remember to stay flexible. Do not squeeze every spare moment of your day, or the slightest inconvenience will set you back.
Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Yes, you can do both, but you also don’t have to. It’s also okay to admit that you can’t, or don’t want to, do it ALL. Something can give, I promise.
Your kids can hang out with a sitter or grandma on occasion. You can hire a freelance assistant or specialist to help you execute tasks in your business. You can work with a consultant that will help you make intentional decisions and stay on target.
Friends, whether you’ve launched your business or aren’t sure where to start, you can reach your goals faster with the compassionate support of someone like me: a confidence and clarity coach for business owners. Let’s chat!
Everyone is seeing the impact of inflation, from a trip to the grocery store to monthly utility bills. In the past year, inflation amounted to 7.9% — the fastest pace since 1982 – according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Inflation isn’t likely to resolve anytime soon, especially with the increasing energy costs due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This is especially troubling for nonprofits. Many charitable organizations receive a significant amount of funding at the fiscal year’s end – June 30 – and the budget implications are only just now obvious.
Nonprofit leaders need to navigate uncertainty and position the valuable work as critical, regardless of what economic indicators show.
What Is Inflation?
The simple definition of inflation is that it’s a sustained upward movement in the price of goods and services in an economy. If all else stays constant, this reflects a loss of purchasing power for a currency. It takes more currency units to buy the same goods and services.
Simply put, your money doesn’t go as far. You can’t buy as many groceries or essentials for the same amount as you did previously.
Many consumers associate inflation with the rise of a few key goods or services, such as oil or the real estate industry. but inflation is only present when the overall price of goods and services is increasing across the board.
When inflation increases faster than wages, it leads to a decrease in purchasing power that causes people to put up more money to buy necessities, but getting less for it. For the average consumer, this can create financial strain and reduced discretionary spending.
The problem here is that many people don’t understand what inflation really is. They believe the prices are increasing, when that’s not what’s happening. The value of each dollar is declining.
Why the distinction? If people believe that it’s prices, not dollars, donors may unknowingly reduce the value of their donations because they don’t regard inflation as the reduced value of money.
Even if inflation were to return to its previous levels, it would take time before we see the effects of that. With the end of the year approaching quickly, fundraisers need to take a proactive approach to combat the effects.
Plan Ahead in Thinking, Giving, and Strategy
Donors want to make a difference – that’s why they donate. They’re not trying to decrease their gift, but they just don’t appreciate that it doesn’t have the same purchasing power.
We can’t expect them to know this on their own, however. They can be politely reminded that inflation affects nonprofits, too, and the cost of staffing, supplies, services, and more. It also impacts the lives nonprofits serve – if it’s this difficult for the people who can pay, imagine what it does for those who can’t?
Bottom line – we need more money to make the same impact. We need to ensure donors understand the need for the work and how the dynamics of the world impact it. Donors want to hear stories about those served by their donations, and how, so highlight some of your top stories.
If possible, show metrics of how donations allow impact. Whether the nonprofit is focused on food security, education, literacy, clean water, or support for families, showing the metrics ensures that donors know the impact of their investment – and why it matters if money doesn’t go as far.
How Can We Help?
External pressures like inflation can be a big catalyst for creativity and collaboration. How can we, as community leaders, partners, and corporations, plan ahead and be proactive in our efforts?
The simple solution is to increase the gift to account for inflation and ensure that nonprofits have equivalent purchasing power. But writing a check isn’t the only thing we can do.
Inflation not only decreases what can be done with the donations, but increases the costs for the nonprofits. Volunteering helps nonprofits do more with less, reducing the burden and ensuring that help goes where it’s needed.
Finally, there’s advocacy. You can spread the word about the efforts of nonprofits and encourage others to get involved. Whether they offer monetary gifts, volunteer their time, or spread the word themselves, it all makes a difference.
Let’s Talk About It!
I’ve had wonderful conversations with innovative leaders ready to grow their community and “put their back in it.” I’d love to talk to other leaders and business owners who feel the same. Schedule a 15-Minute Discovery with me and let’s get started!
In a world where there seems to be a coach for every career, sport, hobby, and life pursuit, the coaching industry is becoming more and more saturated. It seems like nearly everyone has their own “coaching hustle” as a side pursuit, making it harder and harder to differentiate between the kinds of coaches and what value they claim to bring to the table.
One of the newer kinds of coaching is confidence coaching. While at first glance it may seem cheesy or gimmicky, this kind of coach is someone who could potentially turn your life around and help you establish successful habits in the long term, so it’s nothing to thumb your nose at.
Instead, read on to learn more about what they do and why you may be a good fit for a future coach.
What is Confidence Coaching?
The coaching profession has made a marked increase in popularity and acceptance in recent years. While many people think of coaching as something confined to sports, there are actually many areas of coaching that most people could benefit from, whether in their personal or professional lives.
Though coaching is more varied and expansive, coaching typically falls in these three categories::
Career Coach
A professional coach who is skilled with helping individuals navigate their careers, whether they’re just beginning, stagnating, or transitioning. These coaches may help with career planning, interviewing, resume building, or negotiating to develop strong candidates and employees.
Executive Coach
A professional coach skilled at developing future leaders and influencers. They help clients and teams increase awareness of their brand, set up business goals, and unlock their true potential.
Life Coach
A type of wellness coach who helps individuals assess their present state in life and determine their next best steps to reach their personal goals. They help clients clarify their goals, identify the obstacles that are keeping them from them, and develop a plan to overcome them.
While all three of these kinds of coaches will work with you to help you get back on track professionally or personally, there’s another kind of coach that can benefit people in a variety of circumstances.. Before we dig fully into this kind of coaching, let’s look at the definition of the main focus of their guidance: confidence.
“Confidence: The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust. The state of feeling certain about the truth of something. A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.”
While it may be easy to define the word “confidence,” it’s not always as easy to clarify what it means for an individual or how to attain it. That’s where a confidence coach comes in. And really, how many people could better themselves from partnering with one?
A confidence coach is someone that helps an individual move past their lack of self-esteem, fear, and limiting self-beliefs. They work to help a person overcome their doubt and empower them to trust their own abilities and reach their potential.
Coaches typically accomplish this by finding out what is triggering the person’s insecurity and strategically working with them to identify and overcome it.
What Does a Confidence Coach Do?
While the basic definition and career description likely sound all well and good, you may still be wondering what a confidence coach actually does. This process will vary based on an individual’s background and how deep their client’s insecurities lie.
In general, a confidence coach will work with someone to quiet the voices telling them they’re inadequate and find the freedom to live fully and confidently.
This may be accomplished in one of several ways. Let’s explore the primary methods a confidence coach will help their client move forward.
Finding the Next Best Step
Instead of focusing on the end goal, which may feel insurmountable, a confidence coach may work with their client to decide what the best small (or baby) steps are to avoid becoming overwhelmed. By defining and achieving these small goals, the person will gain confidence every step of the way, and their coach will be there to cheer them along and offer guidance as needed.
Banishing Limiting Beliefs
Oftentimes, a person’s lack of confidence comes from a limiting belief that’s rooted deep in their psyche. A confidence coach can help their client identify and eliminate these beliefs one at a time. The coach may help them challenge assumptions they have by asking them questions that shine a light on the falsehoods plaguing them. Once the truth is revealed, it’s easier for them to move forward and gain confidence along the way.
Some beliefs that confidence coaches often have to work past include:
– I’m not enough to deserve good things in life.
– I’ll never be good enough at my job to get a promotion.
– I’m too stupid or ignorant to express myself to anyone.
– If I show up as my authentic self, I’ll never be accepted or loved.
Cross-Reference Areas of Confidence
This approach can be more abstract, but still quite effective. A coach may take an area in which the client lacks confidence and channel it into an area in which they exude confidence. By doing this, the focus is switched to the aspects of themselves they’re more comfortable with, and the area of doubt can take a backseat.
Characteristics and Skills Needed for a Confidence Coach
While one may think that the biggest qualification for a confidence coach is to be confident, that’s not the most important aspect. Plenty of other characteristics and skills are equally, if not more, essential for a person to possess to have a successful career in this field.
If you’re considering a career as a confidence coach, you should take an honest assessment of yourself to make sure you have most, if not all, of the characteristics and skills needed. Keep in mind that some of these skills can be developed. Read through the following list to see if you have what it takes!
The Ability to Build Rapport
In order for a client to feel comfortable opening up, a coach has to be able to build rapport with them quickly. This means the coach has to be able to put people at ease and make them feel as though they’re in a safe place to open up about their insecurities, which are at the core of confidence coaching.
Realize that your new clients will come in feeling awkward and shy, so this is an important part of your job as a coach. Work with them to find something in common, approach their insecurities with openness and acceptance, and then build your rapport from there.
Patience
As you’re likely aware, coaching isn’t typically something that’s finished after one session. Depending on the client, coaching can often take months or even years to complete.
Because of this, a confidence coach has to bring a healthy dose of patience and perseverance to their practice to stick with a client until they reach their goals. Coaching is not the place to bring judgment or a deadline mentality. It takes time.
Strategic Mindset
In order to navigate the client’s insecurities and deeply rooted triggers, a confidence coach has to have the ability to strategize and plan the steps to overcoming insecurities, addressing setbacks, and gaining confidence.. This plan is crucial to the client’s success and must be achievable and thoughtfully executed.
In addition to having a plan for your client, you also need a plan for your business that you can commit to. Building a brand and client base as a coach takes a lot of drive, determination, and business acumen. It doesn’t happen overnight!
Confidence
While it’s not the only skill needed, it’s definitely a top requirement that confidence coaches have a healthy level of confidence themselves. Whether this is a quality they were born with or something they acquired over time, it has to be understood and present to be taught to others.
With confidence coaching, you can’t just talk the talk – you have to walk the walk. Aside from the fact that you can’t teach confidence if you don’t possess it, being a coach in general and promoting your services takes confidence. Let your clients see the confidence in you that they’re wanting to build in themselves.
Reasons Why People Hire a Confidence Coach
Now that we’ve covered what a confidence coach does and what they need to be successful at it, you may be wondering why a person would need one in the first place. The answer is simple: we’re human. In other words, it’s only normal for a person to go through periods or experiences where they lack confidence in themselves, either personally or professionally.
Confidence is something that can either make or break you, especially in some professions, so hiring a coach to help you find it again is a wise decision that more people should be making.
For example, people may turn to confidence coaches when they’re up for a new promotion at work or they just got promoted/hired and are feeling inadequate.
Other people may come in after going through a divorce and are now questioning their worth or how to move forward. Many clients are finally ready to face a deeply rooted fear and are simply needing the push to conquer it.
Benefits of Working with a Confidence Coach
The main benefit of working with a confidence coach is the most obvious one: you’ll gain confidence like you’ve never had before. What is it in your past or present that is holding you back from going after the goals or desires in your heart and mind? Chances are, a confidence coach can help you recognize what’s holding you back, face your fears, and reach your goals.
Beyond gaining confidence in yourself and your abilities, you can expect to walk away from your time with a confidence coach with one or more of the following benefits:
– You’ll be a better leader, both professionally and personally.
– You’ll become a more courageous member of society as you feel more confident to speak up about the causes you care about and reach out to contacts in your life.
– You’ll be an empowered individual, ready to push past your comfort zone and live life to the fullest.
Becoming a Confidence Coach
If you already have the confidence that others are seeking, perhaps you should consider becoming a confidence coach. The pay scale for Confidence Coaches varies widely from anywhere around $26k to over $200k. Since a degree and certification aren’t required to enter the field, you’ll see that coaches come from all types of backgrounds and offer a variety of services, all at different price points.
While certification isn’t required to be a confidence coach, there are several courses available that may be beneficial for someone looking to start their career in the industry. These classes will walk you through how to handle the typical situations you’ll see as a coach and give you the best practices to have in place for your business.
These courses aren’t required, but they do add a level of credibility and legitimacy to your coaching business and help you learn how to run a successful business.
The best way to ensure that you have a successful career as a confidence coach is to do everything that you can to get favorable word-of-mouth referrals. Since this is a newer field, clients will feel more comfortable hiring you for your services if they get a referral from someone they are personally connected to.
If that person used your services in the past and had positive results, they can expect the same for their own experience. Referrals build confidence in your skills and gets your working relationship off on the right foot.
Calling all Coaches
Today’s world is driven by social media influencers selling a lifestyle that seems unattainable, leading many people to feel insecure and inadequate. People’s confidence in their abilities has taken a major blow, but hiring a confidence coach can be the key to getting it back.
For anyone that has moved past their season of doubt and is now walking confidently and living an empowered life, it may be time for you to share your wisdom.
Almost anyone with confidence and drive can start a career as a confidence coach, but only the ones that have a clear vision for their coaching business and a strategic plan of action will be able to make it in the highly competitive field.
By bringing your own confidence and patience to the table, you’ll be setting yourself (and your clients) up for success. One thing is for sure though – the world needs more confidence. Luckily, there’s a coach for that.
As a business owner, the unfortunate truth is that not every client you take on is going to be a walk in the park. Inevitably, you’ll have a client come along that will prove to be quite difficult.
The challenge with difficult clients is that they tend to be overly demanding and may even clash with your working style. You know you have to finish whatever work you’re doing with them, but you want to figure out how to do so with the least amount of pain. So, what do you do?
Since your professional reputation is at stake, you need to come up with some strategies for dealing with a difficult client ahead of time so that when the inevitable happens – you’re ready.
Tips for Dealing with Difficult Clients
When dealing with a challenging client, choose your words carefully to avoid confrontation and escalation.
– Listen well and acknowledge without apologizing.
– Take breaks whenever you need to and/or limit communication, but be careful to do so in a way that doesn’t feel like you’re ignoring them.
– Emphasize that you’re working together toward a common goal. Discuss things in terms of the results you’re trying to get and make sure they understand you’re on the same team.
– If they’re asking you to do more than you offer, set clear boundaries and remind them gently of the job’s terms and your business’s capabilities.
Even though they may be driving you insane, try your best to find a solution that’s quick and that will make them happy and get you both moving forward. Remember, the best-case scenario is to leave them satisfied and then avoid working with them in the future, if possible.
As trying as these kinds of clients can be, keep in mind that it’s likely not personal. Simply chalk it up as a learning experience and move on knowing you’re better, and wiser, than you were before.
Great communication is one of the most important skills for running a successful business. Overall, business communication is responsible for improving workplace efficiency, boosting morale, and creating a more open and collaborative environment for employees to thrive in.
7 Ingredients For Unstoppable Business Communication
Despite the fact that 89% of people believe in the importance of effective business communication, only around 17% feel as if their workplace possesses it. Here are 6 ways to get started on improving your business’s communication style:
#1: Find The Right Communication Channel
In today’s highly digitized workplaces, communication can take place on a multitude of platforms, so make sure that you are using the right one! Whether it’s an email, slack message, in-person meeting, or video call, it is important to think about the communication channels that you are using to deliver your information most effectively.
For example, sending a couple of reminders can probably be accomplished in an email, whereas explaining a complex project might land better in a face-to-face meeting.
#2: Value Listening Skills
Business communication is so much more than just articulating YOUR thoughts and ideas. It is equally important to take a step back and listen to the needs and feelings of the coworkers around you to ensure that everyone feels heard and valued in a space.
#3: Make Yourself Accessible
Especially if you are a boss or leader, it is crucial for employees to know you are accessible to chat if they need to run something by you or have any questions or concerns. If employees don’t feel comfortable speaking out in the workplace, passive aggression and resentment are bound to happen.
#4: Be Mindful of Body Language
While the exact percentage of what communication is nonverbal versus verbal has been debated, the body language that you put out to others in the workplace oftentimes speaks louder than words. Great nonverbal communication starts with making eye contact, nodding, not crossing your arms, and leaning forward.
#5: Keep It Simple
Many employees fall into the trap of using overly complex language and jargon while communicating with others, in turn leaving less experienced employees confused. To avoid this, always be mindful of the vocabulary you choose and keep communication simple whenever you can.
#6: Ask Questions
Asking clarifying questions works wonders at clearing up any confusion or assumptions early on in a project or task, in turn saving stress and confusion down the line. Remember that if you have questions during a meeting, odds are other people in the room feel similarly and will appreciate your courage in asking.
#7: Tailor Your Communication
The way that you speak to your boss might look a little different than how you are speaking with a peer. In order to have effective business communication, it is important to know the audience that you are speaking to ensure you are tailoring your language and format of communication to best fit that specific dynamic.
Maximize Your Business Communication With Allison Todd Today
For more advice on improving your business’s operations from an experienced business coach and consultant, feel free to reach out today!
For more advice on improving your business’s operations from an experienced business coach and consultant, feel free to reach out today!
1. How To Grow Your Brand Without Losing Its Voice Or Values
2. The Simple Way To Grow Your Brand Without Losing Touch With Your Values
3. Don’t Focus On Brand Growth Without Reading These Essential Tips First
Want to grow your brand but struggling to figure out the best way to go about it? Developing and expanding your business should be an exciting time. But often, information overwhelm turns it into a stressful one.
By getting back to the basics of who you are and what you want your brand to stand for, you can create a growth strategy that feels authentic and real—two things customers love.
Sometimes Less Is More
These days we want everything all at once. When it comes to business, this translates into developing a blog, building up social media, starting a podcast, creating a YouTube channel, and writing a book.
It’s easy to convince yourself that you need all the bells, whistles, and TikTok followers to be successful online. But ditching some of the “clutter” will help you focus.
Growth by subtraction helps business owners zero in on the areas they want to develop.By taking some of these plans away and focusing on one step at a time, your business will grow at a steady rate.
Make Technology Is Your Friend—Use It Effectively
There many intuitive tools and platforms out there that can help your business. But not all of them will suit your business needs. So choose the software wisely by only using technology that:
– Segments leads and customers so you can create highly targeted marketing content and campaigns.
– Measures prospect engagement with your website and marketing campaigns to focus resources on those prospects showing “buying signals.”
– Generates leads with premium content offers embedded on your website and marketing content.
– Tracks your sales activity and follow-ups with CRM software.
– Manages and monitors your sales pipeline to keep you on track towards your business goals.
Tech makes growing a business easier if it fits. It should never make life more difficult.
Turn Your Website Into Your Online Sales Guru
Humans ask Google a LOT of questions. So if you want to get discovered online, invest in a decent website. Make sure it has strong SEO and the copy and content are well written.
To grow a business, it’s not enough to leave a website to stagnate. It needs to be updated regularly and checked using online analytics tools. If it’s not working, figure out why and make it right.
Mix It Up With A Variety Of Marketing Channels
Cold-pitching may have worked 10 years ago, but unless you’re at the top of your game on how to cold-pitch, it’s a limited marketing strategy.
And when it comes to blogs, writing generic listicles bombarded with CTAs and hoping they’re going to bring in leads isn’t going to work. Get creative with your blogs, mix it up with education, entertainment and value (hey, just like this one.)
Cisco predicts that “by 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic — 15 times higher than it was in 2017.”
Miss out on video, and you’re missing out on a HUGE number of marketing opportunities.
Not a fan of being on camera? Good news. Not all videos have to feature you. They can be:
– Tutorial videos
– Case studies
– Customer support and how-to videos
– Social media posts like reels and IGTV
Get Yourself A Business Coach And A Supportive Community
Business can be a lonely old world sometimes, especially if you’re the one at the top making all the decisions.
Reaching out and joining a community of other entrepreneurs provides a system of support. And hiring a business coach shows your keen to invest in yourself and your business.
The Business Growth 90-Day Plan is an effective way to boost your brand without losing its integrity. Click here to learn more and discover if it is a good fit for your business.
Here Are 4 Reasons You Need to Hire a Growth Strategist Today.
We’re heading into Quarter 4 of 2021, and the year has flown by. It seems that we were laying down our annual goals only yesterday, combining our business New Year’s Resolutions. Suddenly, we’re almost at the same stage once more.
As we enter quarter 4 of 2021, strategies demand to be refined, as it’s the last hurdle before we look at the annual data and reset our goals.
So, what’s your 4th quarter business strategy? And how does it tie into your goals?
Perhaps you’ve yet to revisit your overall business strategy. And, perhaps, you’re considering hiring a growth strategist to help you push for that final quarter to achieve your goals.
If so, here are 4 reasons you should hire a growth strategist today. But first:
What Is A Growth Strategist In Business?
In business, a growth strategist is a person who focuses mainly on the growth and development of a brand. They have expert knowledge of business strategy and how to propel a business from the land of startup to the universe of global recognition.
Reasons You Need To Hire A Growth Strategist
Outsourcing can, at times, feel frightening. We fear an empty investment, or worse still, a negative return on investment. However, hiring a growth strategist is fundamental to your business’s development. And, if you hire a qualified growth strategist with excellent experience and past results, you can guarantee that the investment won’t be empty.
1. Growth Strategists Focus On Strategy And Have A Unique Set Of Tools
Working in your business rather than on your business has consequences. You’re unable to view your business strategically because you’re too close to it. Having an outsider assess your current strategy, aligning it with your future goals, will allow you to understand whether it’s realistic, ambitious, or whether you’re pitching far too low.
Growth strategists also have a specific set of tools that have been crafted for the sole purpose of business growth. You’ll want those on your side when up against the competition.
2. Growth Strategists Take Bold Action
Without growth strategists, brand owners are prone to overthinking, sitting nicely in their comfort zone. The truth is, though, as they sit there watching the world go by, they’re actually missing out on hundreds of thousands of growth opportunities.
It can be difficult for a brand owner to take risks and step outside their comfort zone. However, with the assistance of a growth strategist, you’ll be encouraged to take the risks that will pay off.
3. Growth Strategist Focus On Short, Mid, And Long Term Goals
With many marketers, the main focus tends to be on long-term goals. There are benefits to this, of course, as it allows your business to grow throughout time. However, there need to be short and mid-term goals to fund your business growth in the meantime.
Growth strategists are experts in short-term strategies and how to feed them into your mid and long-term goals.
4. Growth Strategists Know All The Current Digital Trends And How to Use Them For Brand Growth
Keeping up with the latest digital trends can be almost impossible when you’re wearing every single hat for your brand. Hiring a growth strategist means you’ll be saving time, energy, and effort, allowing you to remain in your zone of genius for the wellbeing of your brand.
Plus, you’ll be including proven routes to success within your strategy, guaranteeing growth.
Hire A Growth Strategist Today.
As quarter 4 takes us under its wing, we reassess and reevaluate our current strategy and how it’s worked for the past 3 quarters of 2021. With the 4 reasons listed in this post, hiring a growth strategist allows you to end the year with a bang, meeting your business goals, and placing you in a strong position for the beginning of the upcoming year.
Contact us today and schedule an appointment with Coach Allison to see how a business strategist can help uplevel your business.
