It feels like Christmas was only a blink of an eye ago, but we’ve already reached the end of January. As such, we’re well into 2016. This means that, if you’re yet to start your New Year’s resolutions, now is the perfect time. If your resolutions, like thousands of others, were to grow your SME, then you’re in luck. We’ve put together this list of the top things to consider for SME owners in 2016. Follow them carefully and you’ll easily achieve your resolutions.
Marketing Tactics
Effective marketing is one way that you can organically grow your business. From hiring an SEO agency to boost your visibility in search engine results to effectively running and managing your social media accounts, marketing could be simpler than you think, and it could hugely grow the reach of your business, improving sales.
Be careful though. It’s very easy to spend incredibly high amounts of money on online marketing. As such, plan your spend very carefully. Set a limit and stick to it. Also carefully consider what platforms you’ll use. Be relentless in asking yourself “why” you’re using a certain type of marketing over another and justify every expenditure.
By doing this, you’ll stand the highest possible chance of your marketing tactics succeeding. Targeted marketing can be highly effective, just don’t let your expenditure run away with you. If necessary, hire an expert.
Communications
Secondly, if you’re looking to grow a business, you have to think about how it communicates and whether you can take down any barriers. Effective communication is a great way to grow a business and it can be relatively cost free.
Technological innovations mean that communication is now simpler than ever before. As such, simple 21st century communications such as VoIP from companies like Gradwell are a no-brainer for SME owners. They’re cheaper than conventional phone lines and are far more reliable. Thus, you’re saving time and money as well as increasing your output.
Staff Retention
Finally, if you’re looking to grow your business, then you have to do so organically and naturally. As such, you have to think about staff retention. Without your existing staff members staying, you’re only ever replacing staff and not growing as a business. Plus, you’re actively setting yourself back as you’re losing knowledge.
To retain staff members, you have to ensure that morale remains high. Organise team bonding sessions (this could be something as simple as going to the pub on a Friday afternoon or as adventurous as a big paintballing day out). Also ensure training is in place so staff meet professional development goals. Happy staff members won’t want to leave, and they may even help recruit people they know if they’re in a positive working environment.
To conclude, we may have already reached the end of January but that’s certainly no reason why you shouldn’t be able to complete your SME based New Year’s resolutions. By following the above steps, you’ll maximise not only your chances of keeping your New Year’s resolutions, but you’ll also be able to grow your business. Here’s to the rest of 2016.
