7 Keys to a Successful Business, pt 3, Be Organized

Small Business USA (www.SmallBusinessUS.com) talks about 7 specific areas you need to consider in your business process. Here are all seven again:

·       Management Strategy

·       Primary Aim

·       Organizational Strategy

·       Strategic Objectives

·       People Strategy

·       Marketing Strategy

·       Systems Strategy

These 7 areas will fine tune your plan for the ultimate level of success. Today we are going to discuss your Organizational Strategy. Most business owners go into business to do something they love, something they feel they can be successful doing, and to follow a dream. Separating these emotional motivators from your business needs can sometimes derail a business owner. Setting forth a solid organization strategy helps align the more pragmatic brain with the creative and more emotional side.

As Small Business USA, we have a very structured roadmap for both our clients and ourselves. We know that a sale is based on emotion but success is dependent on so much more. No more than in real estate can you see these two worlds collide right in front of your eyes. 

If you don't properly pre-qualify your client, they fall in love with the McMansion when they can only afford the raised ranch. The consequence has long lasting implications for your reputation.

So how do you create an organizational strategy that works for you and your customer? How do you connect what you want with what you need?

The first step is to leverage Ken Andrews SWOT analysis. By asking yourself his 4 basic questions about your company, you can better define your organizational strategy.

Here are Ken's four questions:

1. What can we do?

2. What do we want to do?

3. What might we do?

4. What do others expect us to do.

This model was later turned into what many call the SWOT model. It challenges you to identify your comany's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.

Strength: How do you currently stand out in your competitive environment? (primary aim)

Weakness: Where do you fall behind in your competitive environment?

Opportunites: Where do you have future opportunities to fulfill a need in your competitive environment?

Threats: Who and what poses the most threat to you in your competitive environment?

By taking the time to revisit these four questions every year, you will put yourself in a better position of relevance and position yourself and your organizational strategy for a higher level of success long term.

For help answering these questions, feel free to contact us. We'd be happy to help you identify ways to improve your business and plan for your future.

Colleen Ferrary is the founder and president of Small Business USA. Small Business USA (www.SmallBusinessUS.com) has successfully driven unparalleled results for business owners throughout the US. While maintaining their mission to keep their services affordable and leveraging a proven marketing program and teams of consultants, Small Business USA is changing the success rate of small businesses. For more information or to set up a free consultation, please email Info@SmallBusinessUS.com.