LEVERAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – The Multiplier Effect for Growth

LEVERAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
The Multiplier Effect for Growth
Leverage: [lev-er-ij] noun
power or ability to act or to influence people, events, decisions, etc.; sway

Enhance your “sway”! Apply some, or all, of the following levers to enhance your success.

Website
In this day and age, the first place someone looks to know about your business is your website.
If you don’t have one … the message is you are not in business.

So, let’s start on the premise that you have a website or are going to have one real soon. That being the case, here are items and issues that will add website leverage.

• Basic information about your products/services
• Posting blogs
• Posting newsletters
• Posting customer testimonials

Public Speaking
Public speaking ranks right up there with people’s number one fear – flying. Not to worry! Those flutterings in your tummy at the mere thought of getting up in front of an audience to speak is absolutely a universal response. It’s called a case of the “butterflies”.

That said, speaking on topics that are perceived as valuable and memorable to your audiences accelerates your image as a thought leader and industry expert. So the issue is to get your butterflies to fly in formation. Click here to learn how And then deliver your next speech in a fashion that will make both you and your message memorable.

Form Your Own Speakers Bureau
Here’s an approach to public speaking that is unique and gets you off the hook of being the speaker. Line up speakers on a variety of topics that will be of interest to your audiences and host “invitation-only” events.

For example, you may ask an attorney to speak on the importance of determining whether workers are employees or independent contractors … a topic that will have wide appeal to employers. Then invite your data base to attend. All won’t, but according to one of our clients who has employed this approach, “You will get appreciation from those that do … and extra points just for inviting those who don’t because you flattered them by including them in your invitation.”

Likewise the speakers win by exposure as an expert and go-to person for anyone in the audience that may have a need or who may serve as a referral resource.

Community Visibility
No one ever bought from someone they never heard of. Be visible in contributing time and effort in your community – volunteer; seek office; organize fund-raising events. You have a large untapped pool of potential customers. Invest in some “missionary” work to reach out and touch them.

Network
Join and actively participate in networking groups. The key is to learn, practice and apply the formula for successful networking interactions and follow-up. Click here for more info You’ll see how to master the preparation and execution of networking strategies including what to say and how to say it.

Social Media
Aggressively use all that reach your target audiences. Be sure to do your research as some lend themselves better to B2C businesses; others to B2B.

Culture Referral Partners
Foster relationships where the synergy may add up to 1 + 1 equaling a factor of 3 or 4 or 5 or more. Ideally, seek referral sources where you may reciprocate. This strengthens the bond and motivates each of you to support the other.

Pay Attention to Your Customers
Encourage repeat business from existing and past customers. Your best customer is your competitors’ best prospect. It is 14 -17 times more costly to develop new business from non-customers than to win repeat business from customers who have had a successful experience dealing with you. Two-thirds of customers that leave a vendor do so because they feel ignored or unappreciated, or did not know the vendor had products/services that would be a solution to their needs.

Enhance your “sway”! Apply some, or all, of the above levers to enhance your success.