Navigating success: essential strategies for growth in 2024

Gary Salters, of Go Succeed, outlines the best approach.

SMEs and sole traders across all sectors face a unique set of challenges as we venture into 2024. In this article I’ll briefly outline some of the strategies we are using with clients at Go Succeed to help open up opportunities and instil habits that will foster growth in your business.

We find many businesses we talk to are hungry for growth yet understandably cautious in their spending. Key challenges such as limited budgets, rising operational costs, maintaining a steady pipeline and attracting and retaining quality staff are the most prevalent issues being grappled with. With these challenges in mind, it is more important than ever to have a clear strategy and robust processes in place for the year ahead.

Strategies for growth

1. Morning strategy sessions

Spending the first 30 minutes of each day on your strategy is guaranteed to have a significant impact on your business, time outside of the daily tasks to focus on your goals and how to achieve them.

2. Leveraging technology wisely

With technology evolving rapidly, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve specifically when it comes to AI. If leveraged correctly it can streamline operations saving valuable time, enhance customer engagement, and ultimately drive growth.

3. Know your numbers

‘Knowing your numbers’ isn’t just good advice, it’s a necessity. Understanding your business’s financial health, margins, and costs, backed by expert advice from a good accountant, can make all the difference.

4. networking

Building and maintaining strong relationships with your customers and peers is vital. Networking is a cornerstone of business success. When done correctly it creates a network of advocates for you and your business. Don’t view it as collecting contacts; networking is about positioning yourself as an expert and staying front of mind with those well-positioned to promote your business. Make sure you have a clear target in mind for the connections you want to make so that you get the most from Networking events.

Personal and business development

The business landscape is ever-changing, and so should the mindset of a business owner. Continuous learning, a commitment to goals, and a willingness to try new approaches are essential traits. Perfection is less important than action; experimenting with new ideas can lead to unexpected successes.

Case studies

At Go Succeed, we’ve had the pleasure of working with incredible businesses like Bella June Flowers in Hassocks and David Baldry Wealth Management based in Worthing. By diversifying sales channels and streamlining processes, they have both seen substantial growth. For Bella June Flowers, introducing corporate services and subscription models expanded their revenue streams, while David Baldry Wealth Management improved efficiency through establishing consistent processes freeing up vital time to focus on their growth strategy.

I thought I’d finish with three things that you can start using in your business today:

• Set aside an hour to identify a Sales Channel you haven’t tapped to make sure you’re firing on all engines- networking, social media, a strategic partner.

• Streamline your sales process by mapping the customer journey from prospect to completion and automate where possible. Remove any unnecessary steps and ensure consistency in every interaction.

• Spend 30 minutes on your strategy each morning before you start your day to day tasks. This will focus you on your goals while your mind is clear.

Closing thoughts

As we embrace 2024, the landscape for businesses in Sussex is filled with opportunities for growth and success. By adopting these strategies, SMEs and sole traders in our vibrant community can not only navigate the challenges but also thrive and prosper. Here at Go Succeed, we are committed to supporting businesses in their journey towards success.

Next steps to success

Staying on track and maintaining focus are key to achieving your goals. This month we are excited to have launched our Go Succeed online platform designed specifically to keep our clients on track and accountable, ensuring their daily business activities align with their strategic goals.

We created our monthly Group Workshop courses for businesses looking to solidify their strategy for 2024. These workshops are an excellent opportunity to develop a robust, actionable plan for the year ahead. Under our guidance and within a group of likeminded business owners, you’ll gain insights and tools that are essential for steering your business towards success.

Book

If you’re ready to take the next step in your growth journey and want to find out more about how we can help, check out our website GoSucceed.co.uk or get in touch at Gary@GoSucceed.co.uk and let’s make your business goals a reality in 2024.