As you are running a business, you need to ensure you focus firmly on the future. If you are not focusing on the future and working towards expanding your business, then you will find that you end up stagnant. This may in turn have an impact on profitability and on future success. So, when it comes to focusing on expansion, where do you need to focus your attention?
Focusing on Growth
To begin with you are going to need to create a growth plan. When you have a growth plan in place, you can ensure you focus firmly on growth. In your plan, you are going to need to consider what type of growth you want. For example, do you want to focus on organic growth over a longer period of time or are you more interested in a fast and targeted growth route? You have to establish which route you will take as this will set the stage for everything you do. With organic growth you will find it is cheaper, but you may find it is slower. Targeted and focused growth will be quicker, but it will require a larger investment.
Exploring New Markets
When you know which route you want to take, you then have to start exploring new markets. Markets may be in the next state to you, or you may even want to look at exploring markets in other countries. When you are on an exploratory mission, you need to undertake primary and secondary research. Establish what your potential target market wants and needs. If you fail to carry out this research, you could find that you are trying to reach markets and audiences who are not interested in your product or service at all.
Outsourcing Work and Roles
Trying to go it alone when expanding is never a good option. Trying to do everything by yourself will leave you feeling drained and overstretched. There are lots of opportunities for you to outsource work and roles to those who are experts or knowledgeable in their field. For example, if you need a few products shipped there are always lots of truck drivers who can take your products from A to B at a reasonable cost, which means you don’t have to pay transport costs for space on a truck you don’t use. You will find that shipping work and shipping jobs can be easily and quickly posted on popular platforms. Meaning that you can carry on with other areas of business growth.
Diversifying Services and Offerings
Within your expansion plans you need to establish if you will diversify what you currently offer or if you will introduce a completely new product or service to your target market. The sooner that you can establish what route you want to take, the more focused your growth strategy will be and the easier it will be to start creating a workable timescale. If you do not have a timescale for business growth and expansion, you may well find that it takes longer to bring your ideas and plans to fruition, and this can end up being both frustrating and costly.
