Growing your business from the inside out

When asked what our businesses do we usually answer with a functional or feature focus answer.

So when asked I used to say - "I'm a copywriter"

That resulted in nice smile and comments about the coffee or weather.

So then I said - "I create ideas and words for all types of business communications"

That helped and allowed me to give examples.

Now I say " I help businesses owners who get more than a bit frustrated because they can't get others to understand what they do"

And that gets to the heart of what I actually do. It might be copy for this or that, or a strategic bit of thinking, or a suite of social media messages, or sometimes just a view!

That's because I don't have a range of fixed services, I have worked out that growth for SGC is driven by the unique needs of each client. So what's inside my business adapts to the specific needs of my customers.

It's not all about doing more of the same

But enough about me - what about you and your business.

Start by what you do - for example commercial insurance services.

Clients need the right cover and help when things go wrong. In addition to the core technical skills for all risks cover, you have the opportunity to grow within specialist knowledge for specific markets sectors.

You have the skills to deal with the after effects of a crisis, you are in a perfect position to offer risk assessments, and continuity planning, you are able with confidence to offer consultancy services dealing with the educating new directors about their liabilities.

This is how you can grow a business from the inside out.

Take a bit of paper - write down what you think you do and then write down what you actually do. Then start to think about 5 new products or services you could offer. You only have to find one new revenue line that fits within what you do already and you have grown you business from the inside out.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net