Small Business – The Life Blood of the Economy in 2012

Demonstrating that Beards are the new 'black' Jeremy Blake is poised for 2012

I watched an economist being interviewed recently who described exactly why small businesses are essential to economies; because they grow and eventually become bigger and take over from businesses who have had their day. This constant cycle is essential for growth, and needs to be maintained, (much like the housing market with first time buyers) by new businesses being formed and launched.

When times get tougher it is actually the perfect opportunity for smaller businesses to engage in aggressive growth strategies such as ‘Lanchester Strategy’ (see our Ebook The Perfect Storm) in order to accelerate their potential.

I met a friend at a Christmas party who has started a small business over a year ago and his problem is not unusual – how to expand? But expand he must because the value he offers could be spread to more customers which will need servicing and developing. What we are driving at is actually the same message that we offered in 2008.

Now is not the time to retrench, hope Greece makes it through and everybody muddles along. Now is the time for planning, strategies, optimism, assessment of competitors and positive marketing.

Here are our top 3 tips for growth in 2012:

1. Don’t let the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee be excuses for you to do less; do more.
2. Look at competitors large and small. Where are their weaknesses?
3. Growth in the Spring. In just 3 short months we will be in April, what plans will you have in place by then? What will you have achieved? Build strong goals in the short term.