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Strategic planning for business growth is an absolute necessity if you want to succeed.
You may not realize it but not planning is planning by default. The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the planning, or not, that you are doing right now.
One strategy that is often recommended by experts and business owners alike is to find and join business to business networking groups. These are referral organizations, since that is why everybody is there, that allow you to reach other people and businesses.
Sometimes referred to as “leads groups” they meet regularly and provide opportunities to “swap business cards” and a whole lot more.
These organizations, whether put together by a non-profit organization, a commercial enterprise, or an industry forum are basically a form of advertising, but when compared to other forms of advertising that reach an equivalent number of potential clients or customers, it is very inexpensive.
To successfully create a strategy for the future - the first step should be research, market research to determine who is most likely to benefit the most from your services.
That research is described by some as “finding your niche.” This is helpful not only in determining who you should spend your time trying to attract to your company - it is a process that will help you choose the right business networking groups for you.
The business networking groups you choose, after doing your research, should put you in the company of your ideal prospects, others in the same line of business you’re in so you can partner up on future projects, or people who have access to the folks in your ideal market.
Strategic planning for business will focus on the process of identifying your niche, because that is where you should be spending your time, money, and energy. When you are truly focused in the right direction you will come across business by accident - because you’ll be in the neighborhood.
Let’s face it, when you put yourself in front of the right people, there will be business coming your way no matter how inept you might be at promoting your company. If you are the best marketer on earth who is always making their pitch to the wrong people - being good at it will not get you business.
Business networking groups allow you to expand on the process (and you should make it a process) of being there, where the people are talking about the things you can help them with are. Naturally, you should continue advertising to people that you “know” are interested in your products or services.
But, you should also try to reach people that have the “potential” to be interested in your products or services - especially if you have a unique approach to helping people like them solve their problems. If they are not currently seeking what you provide, it really doesn’t matter, they may need you in the future and they might know someone who does need you today.
Some business networking groups offer conventional marketing tools and techniques. They may host seminars where business owners can compare notes and exchange ideas. They often host trade shows and large scale exhibitions, where you will have the opportunity to market your services to thousands of potential clients. They may offer free workshops on leadership, scheduling and growing your customer base - where maybe you can be a presenter. In other words, there is a lot more to the membership than at first meets the eye.
But, before you join a group, you may want to learn how to successfully market yourself or your company. Experts tell us that we only get that one shot so we better get it right. One suggestion is to prepare and develop an “elevator speech”. Can you describe the problems that your company solves for people in 30 seconds or less? If so, you can find new contacts on an elevator ride.
Another suggestion is to write down that thirty second speech and share it with people on the Internet, maybe in discussion groups or on social media sites. Even an introvert can meet new people online. Today, the Internet is an absolute necessity in strategic planning for business. You need to learn how to use this tool and use it well.
Many people spend hours every day socializing with friends, colleagues and current clients. What’s the value in that? It may be tension relieving, so you go home feeling like you had a business day - but what did you accomplish that will take you closer to your objectives? Maybe you should be spending that time, at least an hour a day, developing brand new contacts. Business networking groups can help.
Strategic planning for business will involve a variety of other techniques. One of the most effective is using the peer group process to connect with you contemporaries on a regular basis to share ideas and insights to help one another.
When you are part of an ongoing strategic conversation with your industry peers you will be able to make better decisions, the single most effective way to achieve better results.
Success comes from making better decisions. It’s that simple, not easy to do on your own however. In fact the most successful leaders among us, in every walk of life, systematically reach out to their hand-pick board of advocates and supporters for insights and advice.
You can have the same tools for creating your own strategic planning and marketing team, a no cost whatsoever. Simply watch the five minute video on the home page, linked above. Once you join you will receive a powerful video series that will show you how to make decisions about the directions you take and the plans you make with greater confidence.
It is 100% free, no strings attached.
For well over two decades, Wayne Messick helped successful family businesses develop an atmosphere of shared goals and address the challenges characteristically faced when they are planning for the future of their business - beyond the current managing generation.
He helped them identify what’s important to the entire organization and the motivations of each party, uncovering the most urgent and most leverageable issues along the way. Just like you, Wayne is concerned about the continuous refinement of his strategies for productivity in these challenging times. He is the author of dozens of articles for mainstream businesses, emerging professionals and association executives.
And like you he knows that success comes from making better decisions. It’s that simple, not easy to do on your own however. In fact the most successful leaders among us, in every walk of life, systematically reach out to their hand-pick board of advocates and supporters for insights and advice.
