Introduction
With such a crowded marketplace, brand-new businesses are already behind the 8-ball even before they open up shop. This is why owners have to begin with a plan that focuses on both short-term and long-term goals.
This plan needs to accomplish several things, including defining the company’s vision, establishing its core focus, and putting measures in place to not only attract customers, but offer them a phenomenal experience. At the same time, a business also needs to think about its bottom line and what it can do to reduce its tax liability.
The Elements of Realizing Your Company's Vision
Without a strong vision, a company has little chance for success. This is why it needs to be defined clearly and a plan has to be created to achieve it.
In order to accomplish this, you have to focus on several key areas, including core values, marketing strategy, and long-term targets. Then you need to concentrate on shorter-tem goals to make sure you are making progress.
How to Define Your Company's Core Focus
Businesses make money based on what they sell, but they are ultimately successful because of why they do what they do. This is a company’s core focus.
Defining a core focus, however, is harder than it may seem, but it’s a vital step. A core focus acts as a guide for an organization, and leaders should always make decisions based on it.
Finding the sweet spot at the intersection of “why” and “what” »
Defining Your Business's 3 Unique Traits
With so many businesses selling the same products or services, competition is fierce. This is why a company has to figure out what makes it stand out from the crowd.
The best way for your business to offer enticement to customers is to highlight at least three unique traits. These are things that you do better than anyone else.
What is Your Business's Guarantee?
In order to be convinced to try a new business, customers have to know that a company is trustworthy. This is where the guarantee comes in.
A guarantee is a promise of performance, and it’s something that can separate your company from your competitors. And this doesn’t just mean offering to give them their money back.
The 10-Year Target, 3-Year Picture, 1-Year Plan, and Quarterly Rocks
To get where it wants to go, it is essential that a company stays on the right path. Creating and following a strategy roadmap is the best way to do this.
An effective roadmap is built with SMART goals, along with key milestones that focus on both what’s happening now and what will happen in the future.
The Proven Process: A Map for Business Success
Getting customers to buy what you sell is just step one to garnering their loyalty; you also have to give them an outstanding experience.
The best way to accomplish this is by offering them a guide that shows how easy and effortless you’ll make things for them. This proven process can also act as a powerful marketing tool.
Defining Your Business's Marketing Strategy
Companies can’t just start promoting themselves without a strategy. In order for your marketing to be successful, you first have to know exactly who your customers are.
Once specific customer personas are created, you can then build your marketing strategy around things you’ve already established, starting with your unique traits.
Structure Your Business Properly to Significantly Lower Your Taxes
A large percentage of businesses pay more in taxes than they need to, and one of the main reasons for this is because they’re not structured properly.
With the new tax code in place, it’s especially important to work with a professional advisor. A tax expert will help you choose the best business structure to reduce your tax liability.
The four-step process for a tax-efficient business restructure »
