Tag Archive for: Entrepreneurship

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Small Business Growth Unlocked: Top 5 Obstacles and How to Crush Them

Small Business Growth Unlocked: Top 5 Obstacles and How to Crush Them - Done Digital Marketing

Achieving small business growth is the name of the game for entrepreneurs, but sometimes it feels like you’re chasing a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If you’re feeling the frustration of slow progress, it’s time to sleuth out what’s holding you back. In this article, we share five common culprits stalling growth of small businesses, and how to outsmart them.

1. Missing a clear vision and strategy (like a ship without a compass)

Small business growth needs a clear vision and strategy, or else you’ll be sailing in circles. Take the time to map out your destination and chart the course by defining your goals, target audience, value proposition, and marketing tactics. With a solid plan, you’ll be well on your way to business success.

In addition to crafting a solid plan, it’s essential to regularly review and adjust your business strategy to ensure you stay on course. As you make progress and learn more about your market, customers, and competitors, you may uncover insights that warrant fine-tuning your approach. Regularly revisiting your business vision, objectives, and tactics allows you to pivot as needed, keeping your small business nimble and responsive to the ever-changing landscape. With a dynamic strategy that evolves alongside your business, you’ll chart a path to sustainable growth and long-term success.

2. Not-so-awesome customer experience (uh-oh!)

Customer experience is like the secret sauce for small business growth. If your customers aren’t delighted, they won’t come back for seconds or tell their friends. Make sure you’re providing top-notch customer service, keeping your promises, and responding to feedback like a pro. Spice things up with customer loyalty programs, personalised experiences, and insightful feedback tools.

Moreover, remember that communication is key in enhancing customer experience. Keep your customers informed and engaged through regular updates, newsletters, and social media interactions. By proactively addressing their needs and concerns, you’ll foster long-lasting relationships, build trust, and ultimately create a loyal customer base that fuels your small business growth. Embrace the power of a positive customer experience and watch your business soar to new heights.

3. Lacklustre marketing (time for a makeover!)

Effective marketing is like the fuel that powers small business growth, but not all strategies will rev your engine. If your marketing isn’t driving results, it’s time for a pit stop to reevaluate your approach. Ensure you’re targeting the right audience, using the best channels, and delivering a message that resonates. Consider joining forces with a professional marketing agency to turbocharge your strategy.

Additionally, don’t shy away from experimenting with different marketing tactics to find the perfect mix for your business. Explore the world of content marketing, email campaigns, social media advertising, and search engine optimisation to maximise your reach and impact. Use the right tools to continuously track your marketing performance through key metrics and analytics, allowing you to fine-tune your approach and make data-driven decisions. By staying agile and adaptable in your marketing strategies, you’ll fuel your small business growth and leave the competition in the dust.

Small business growth is no accident. You need the right strategy and team to make it happen.

Small business growth is no accident. You need the right strategy and team to make it happen.

4. Trying to do it all yourself (calling in reinforcements!)

Trying to juggle every aspect of your business single-handedly can put the brakes on small business growth. While it might seem cost-effective initially, it can lead to burnout and a stalled engine. Instead, recruit a dream team by delegating or outsourcing tasks to experts who can knock them out of the park, freeing you up to focus on strategic planning and building customer relationships.

Embracing collaboration and teamwork not only eases the burden on your shoulders but also brings diverse skillsets and fresh perspectives to the table, fostering innovation and problem-solving in your small business growth journey. Cultivate a positive work culture that encourages open communication, mutual support, and ongoing professional development. By investing in your team and leveraging their strengths, you’ll create a powerhouse capable of overcoming challenges, driving growth, and propelling your business towards long-term success.

5. Resisting change (embrace the winds of change!)

The business world is like a kaleidoscope, constantly changing and offering new perspectives. If you don’t adapt, your small business growth might hit a standstill. Keep your finger on the pulse of industry trends, emerging technologies, and customer preferences, and be ready to shift gears when needed. Embrace change, take calculated risks, but never lose sight of the finish line.

In this ever-evolving landscape, building a culture of learning and adaptability within your organisation is crucial for sustained small business growth. Encourage your team to stay curious, attend workshops, and engage in industry-related events to stay ahead of the curve. Foster an environment where ideas are valued, and experimentation is welcomed. By instilling a growth mindset and promoting resilience, you’ll ensure that your business is well-equipped to navigate the dynamic market, seize new opportunities, and emerge stronger in the face of challenges, propelling your small business growth to greater heights.

Accelerate your business growth with Done Digital by your side

If your business isn’t zooming ahead as fast as you’d like, don’t throw in the towel. By tackling these common hurdles and leaping over them with grace, you’ll set yourself up for success and reach your growth goals. Stay focused, remain agile, and never stop learning!

Ready to put the pedal to the metal? Schedule a free strategy session with one of our marketing consultants today and find out how to accelerate your business like never before.

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Beyond Vanity Metrics: David Lee-Schneider and Elisha Taderera Talk Marketing on The ‘For The Creatives’ Podcast

For The Creatives Podcast - David Lee-Schneider & Elisha TadereraDone Digital

In today’s fast-paced digital world, it’s easy to get swept up in the latest trends and shiny new marketing tactics. But are traditional marketing tactics becoming obsolete? Do old-school marketing fundamentals still have a place in today’s digital landscape?

To find out, tune in to the latest episode of For The Creatives Podcast, where host Elisha Taderera interviews marketing expert David Lee-Schneider. As the founder of Done Digital, a digital marketing agency based in Brisbane, David is a seasoned professional who understands the ins and outs of marketing in today’s digital age.

In this episode, David shares his insights on the importance of building a strong foundation for your marketing, the difference between branding and marketing, and the struggles that creators, businesses, and entrepreneurs face in today’s digital world. Whether you’re a seasoned marketing professional or just starting out in the world of marketing, David provides valuable insights and practical tips that you can use to improve your marketing strategy.

So, what are you waiting for? Tune in to For The Creatives Podcast today to hear David Lee-Schneider’s thoughts on the future of marketing and how you can build a successful marketing strategy that stands the test of time.

 

Listen to David Lee-Schneider and Elisha Taderera on Apple Podcast  Listen to David Lee-Schneider and Elisha Taderera on Spotify

 

Visit Creating with Elisha Tad

Visit For The Creatives Podcast on PodBean

 

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6 TED Talks Every Business Owner Should Watch

Best TED Talks for Business Owners

TED Talks are geared towards spreading ideas using short, powerful talks. The talks last no more than 18 minutes each, are factual and entertaining. Initially, they revolved around Technology, Entertainment, and Design (hence the name TED) when they started out in 1984. Today, the talks touch on almost all areas of life and business. As business owners, we can learn a lot from watching many of these talks and gain valuable insights. The good news is, the talks are freely available on TED.com.

Here are our top TED Talks every business owner should watch. Enjoy!

1. Cameron Herold: Let’s Raise Kids To Be Entrepreneurs

Cameron Herold, who founded COO Alliance, gave a TED Talk entitled, “Let’s raise kids to be entrepreneurs.” In his words, the traditional system of education does not encourage kids to be entrepreneurs. He believes that we should change the system to produce more entrepreneurs.

2. Nirmalya Kumar: India’s Invisible Innovation

Nirmalya Kumar’s TED Talk focuses on the link between business and innovation. As most business owners know, running a business successfully requires a good dose of innovation. A business that constantly develops new products and processes has a higher chance of success.

3. Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action

Eight years ago, Simon Sinek gave a TED Talk on the role great leaders play in inspiring action. The lessons from that talk are still relevant today. Company leaders call the shots. CEOs determine the direction a company takes.

A leader determines how successful a company’s digital marketing campaign shall be.

4. Regina Hartley: Why The Best Hire Might Not Have The Perfect Resume

What makes Regina Hartley’s TED Talk a must watch for entrepreneurs is the advice she gives on the role of a resume in hiring or not hiring a new employee. Entrepreneurs put too much focus on what is on the resumes.

They forget that the resumes never capture all the important details of a prospective employee.

For example, the resume may not tell an entrepreneur everything the prospective employee did in creating a marketing automation software. A perfect resume may keep us away from one who has overcome great difficulties and challenges to get here.

5. Philip Evans: How Data Will Transform Business

The TED Talk Philip Evans gave in 2014 was designed to help businesses understand the role of data. We have to understand the transformational ability that data has in any business. We can no longer ignore analysing the importance of technology and data for running a business.

After all, marketing automation, like all types of technology, depends on data.

6. Seth Godin: How To Get Your Ideas To Spread

Seth Godin’s TED Talk was titled “How to get your ideas to spread”. In that talk, we understand the importance of using bizarre ideas in marketing. Good and boring ideas are not always productive. Bizarre ones, on the other hand, capture and retain customer’s attention.

These must-watch business TED Talks are a great start for any entrepreneur or business owner who is wanting to learn and grow, both on a personal and business level.

Do you have a favourite TED talk? Share the link in the comments below!

 

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6 Lessons About Growing Your Business You’ll Learn From Superheroes

Can superheroes really teach you any valuable lessons about growing your business?

The world has been blessed with a stream of several top superheroes over the years. From Wonder Woman to Iron Man, Firestorm, Superman, Spiderman, and Thor, there is a long list of superheroes to choose from. There are many lessons we can learn from your childhood idols

They entertain us. They also help us to understand more about ourselves. They remind us of some wonderful lessons regarding humanity that we may have forgotten due to the pressures of life.

However, superheroes can also teach us some valuable lessons about growing our businesses.

Here are 6 lessons about growing your business you can learn from superheroes

 

1. Staying true to our aspirations and beliefs

We are likely to forget or abandon our aspirations and beliefs from time to time. However, a close look at these superheroes shows us that we don’t have to go down that route. Pursue what is right for the business until the end, even if nobody else has the same belief in it.

2. Take your power seriously

Superheroes have a lot of power. They also have a lot of responsibilities hanging over their shoulders. Remarkably, they show an uncanny ability to use their power well. They take what they do seriously and so should we while running and growing our businesses.

3. Be ready to make difficult decisions

A close look at any superhero shows that they struggle to make decisions. The weigh each decision’s pros and cons. Sometimes they fail and other times they succeed. What they are very good at though is the ability and willingness to make difficult decisions.

Any person who desires to run a business needs to be prepared to make some uncomfortable decisions, too.

More importantly, making difficult decisions helps us to know our values better! We can all learn from this Harvard Business Review article about making tough decisions.

4. Never be afraid of asking for what you want

Anyone who runs a business also does a lot of asking. We ask for information. We ask for data. We ask clients to give us feedback. We ask clients to buy our products and services. Superheroes are never afraid of asking.

Never be afraid to use marketing automation apps to help the business expand.

We can’t grow any business if we are afraid of asking for help or stating what we want.

5. Stay focused on the most important tasks

Superheroes assume a new aura when pursuing specific goals. They allow nothing to distract them. Entrepreneurs also have to develop such an attitude. It’s important that we stay focused on the areas of our businesses that perform exceedingly well while ignoring distractions. This is just one of the lessons about growing your business you can learn from them.

6. Don’t wait until you feel ready, start now

It’s normal for us to wait until we feel ready to do what we ought to do. That may not be an effective way of growing a business. Superheroes never wait until all conditions are perfect to do something. They get up and do whatever is required now.

There’s no perfect time. Do whatever has to be done NOW!

If it’s digital marketing, embark on it right away! I’ll help you. Let’s have a chat to find out where you’re at and what you need to transform your marketing.

What lessons about growing your business have you learned? Let me know in the comments below.

To your success,

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Seven Things Smart Entrepreneurs Do Daily

If you pay attention to entrepreneurial culture, you may start to notice a few daily trends among successful entrepreneurs. You may not be the ‘waking up at 4 a.m.’ type of entrepreneur but you may learn a thing or two from them. Below are some things smart entrepreneurs do on a daily basis.

1. They Plan Their Day

When you venture into the entrepreneurial life after working a 9 to 5, you will have so much time on your hands that you will not know what to do with it, literally. Instead of spending your newfound free time on Netflix, you should be growing your business. Successful entrepreneurs plan their days out so they know what needs to be done at what time to optimize their time. This is considered as the top thing smart entrepreneurs do on a daily basis.

2. They Take Time Off To Recharge

You may think that as an entrepreneur, there is no time to waste on rest but you need to know when to take a break. There is a difference between working effectively and working. Successful entrepreneurs usually have a strict work schedule, but they also have time off from their work and it does not eat into their work. You can switch off from work to help you find happiness in other things aside from work. Also, ensure you get enough rest or take time from work so you can recharge and get a new perspective on things. 

3. Smart Entrepreneurs Focus On Self-Development

Successful, smart entrepreneurs also use methods like coaching, mentoring, workshops, courses, audiobooks, and podcasts to enhance self-development. You need to keep learning in order to continue growing. Once you become an entrepreneur, invest in self-development and your own education. It helps you learn more about business and become more self-aware so you can grow professionally and personally. 

The fastest way to learn is to connect with other entrepreneurs who have already done what you are trying to achieve. Join a network of like-minded business owners to connect with and learn from others.

3. Smart Entrepreneurs Outsource 

You will get to a point in your business where you will feel the need to start outsourcing tasks because you are tired and cannot grow, but worried about making enough money to cover outsourcing. This is the ideal time to start. Successful entrepreneurs have admitted that outsourcing to experts was a turning point for their business allowing faster growth and bringing in more income than before.

4. They Have A Way Of Keeping Up with Their Inbox 

Outsource your inbox or schedule time to check emails and respond to them to avoid becoming a slave to it. Smart entrepreneurs turn off email notifications to resist the urge to keep checking each one as it comes in. 

5. Healthy Entrepreneurs Maintain Proper Nutrition

You can easily slip in this department as an entrepreneur because you may become caught up in your daily activities and end up eating a couple of snacks throughout the day. This also boils down to planning your day; schedule eating times and go as far as planning your meals and preparing them in advance.

6. They Take Time for Themselves

Everyone needs to take time for themselves regardless of how many hours he or she works or sleeps. Successful entrepreneurs schedule time for themselves for quiet time to meditate or read a book. You may also need to be away physically once in a while for a holiday; make sure you schedule it in so it does not clash with your business activities. 

7. They Use Time Chunking To Be More Productive

The idea here is that a task can take as long as the amount of time you have allocated to complete it. Schedule a specific amount of time to complete a specific task and you will be able to complete multiple tasks without procrastinating and with laser focus. Successful entrepreneurs have attributed this method to their increased productivity.

What’s something that you do regularly to stay on track and up your productivity? Let me know in the comments below!

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