BY BONIFACE IMO-OWO
Boniface Imo-owo
Introduction:
Business growth is the improvement of some part of the success of an enterprise, and is said to have taken place in any business, when there is a raise in revenue as well as increase in profit.
Despite all of the thousands of business books that have ever been written about sales, marketing, and company growth, there are only three key ways to grow your business.
Everything else is a variation of these three ideas. Implement them successfully, and you will experience increases in your business
Over the years I have applied these time tested principles and I have seen them work for us in all area in our business.
1. Desire Growth
You must first of all desire growth; make a deliberate effort to grow what is in your hand. Tell yourself that you will do all it takes to grow your business. To some, it could be that your business just needs a level of growth in sales, so be committed to it.
2. Embrace Excellence.
Excellence simply means doing it well the first time and continuing in that high standard in spite of all other things. This means:
–Being skilful -Prov.22v29- see a man skilful… (Dan 6v3) 5v1
You must be exceptionally good at what you do and you must continually strive to remain in the top 10 position.
–Working smart and seeking knowledge by breading books. Someone once said, and I quote: – *Knowledge is codified in text- so read and discover more
Successful business owners are always striving for excellence. They want to be the best at what they do. Being the best is about being in constant motion, working harder and faster.
Being the best is also about wanting to learn more. Spend time in developing yourself in the area of your calling; attend seminars trainings etc.
3. Increase the number of times a customer buys from you
Every business has a frequency of purchase. A dentist hopes to see patients a couple of times a year.
A restaurant hopes their regulars will come in at least a couple times a month. A hair stylist looks to see their male customers every four weeks.
*Until a customer makes a second order from you, you are not in business and you are not growing.
By increasing the number of times you serve your customers, you will also increase the volume of your business.
There are a number of ways to increase purchase frequency. Some are as simple as always scheduling the next appointment at the end of your current appointment.
Some are as elaborate as customer loyalty programmes where purchasers earn points by buying more often.
Again, relatively small increases in how often a customer buys from you can have a dramatic effect on your bottom line. Think about a dentist for example. Imagine what would happen if every patient came in for a cleaning just one more time each year!
This is why you must find people who are experts and add them to your team. That lets you focus on the areas that are your best fits.
4. Hire people who share your values and passions
Successful entrepreneurs surround themselves with people who think like they do with respect to business philosophy and values.
They are not necessarily looking for people with the exact same managerial style or personality, but rather people who live by the same basic principles.
For example, the entrepreneur may seek out people who passionately believe in the same customer service philosophy, or who respond to fellow employees and the community in the way the entrepreneur believes is appropriate.
Successful entrepreneurs help create and nurture these passions and drives by hiring and grooming people who fit the organisation and who match the entrepreneurs’ value system.
5. Make the Lord your Partner -Give your tenth, and keep on.
Ps 102v16: when I build up Zion, I will appear in his glory. This is the promise we got from God when we started our business.
He told me that as long as I continue to make him part of what am doing, that he will always come to water the garden of our business.
When a contractor is given a project to handle, immediately they complete the job, the hand over and move out of the site, but with God, He comes in to check on daily basis to make sure that everything is in place.
That is the benefit of partnership.
Peter needed a lift, and he granted his space to Jesus; he made him his partner. So, the fastest way to grow is to let Him in. Never take up any task without asking him to be the one leading. Ps. 25v5
Value Relationship with God and with man:
Never treat people badly; your customers are both external and internal, and include Employees. Suppliers are the bank loans you get without collateral and interest.
*Friends: are the people that will help grow your business.
6. HONOUR THE ANOINTING AND GRACE OF YOUR PASTOR
This is a very top secret of most business people. If you want extraordinary growth, you must celebrate the grace of God in the life of your prophet.
This people have been given a special anointing to speak into our lives and the work we do and bring about change. 1 Chron.20v20; 1Sam. 9v6-8, Philp. 4v14-16, then 19, Tim.5v17-18, Jer.3v15
Give seeds to this anointing, and expect great result.
Choose God’s way and experience the blessing that causes everything around you to thrive and flourish!
Conclusion
All of these tips to growing a successful business are important. Having your own business is challenging and at the same time very rewarding. It is important to plan and set your goals in the long term.
-Rev Imowo is of the TREM Pastorate
