Feature Articles: Business Sense

Staying fresh and relevant is a constant challenge for any business. A struggling economy doesn’t help much. How do you maintain your growth momentum or possibly kick-start a business experiencing a plateau? The answer is to look at your brand (your business) with fresh eyes. When doing so, you will discover new opportunities to pursue and uncover options you may have never thought you had. Of course, there are countless ways to revitalize a brand, but here are 5 universal strategies that most, if not all, in the children’s business can employ.

I often hear business owners say, “I would love to take advantage of social media, but I just don’t know where to start!” Most people understand that social media is a force to be reckoned with and that it is influencing the way consumers make decisions concerning what they buy and where. However, getting why social media is useful and knowing how to take advantage of it are quite different. With traditional media, some might dip their toes in the water with an ad or two. However, social media demands a head first dive right in.

Businesses are started with intentions of being successful. Growth is a key to realizing that goal. There’s a familiar old saying –– “If you’re not growing you’re dying” –– and it is so true. However, in today’s challenging economic times, growth is easier said than done. Even so, there are a number of businesses experiencing success. What sets these companies apart? Are they lucky? Are they overflowing with resources? Not necessarily: Companies that do well are those with a strong sense of what they are setting out to achieve. These companies are pressing forward because they desire to grow and have committed to make that happen.

When interviewing business owners, it’s rare that I meet someone who doesn’t want to grow their business into a national brand. To those who aspire for this status, growth is key. A company can grow one of two ways: by getting new people to buy its products or getting current customers to buy more. Ideally, a company will attempt to achieve both of these objectives. Choosing to grow by extending your customer base is always a viable strategy regardless of what you sell. If you seek national brand status for your business it is achievable. Deciding which path to take as you seek to obtain this objective will depend on your preferences and available resources.