Sometimes it is useful to look at nature to see how it succeeds in a competitive world. One where the resources are limited, random events can mess up your plans and the sun does not always shine.
It helps that nature does not have a plan. Instead is does extremely well with just a process and a trial and error approach. Take the humble dandelion. Definitely a weed to many, it doesn’t have a 3 or 5 year plan to take over your garden. Instead it has a process that cumulates with fluffy white seeds being blown into your garden. Some of these seeds will find a habitable niche or indeed your whole lawn to germinate and take off.
Could your business benefit by copying nature? In several important ways, yes. A weed can
Thrive really well in a locations you hadn’t considered as a possibility
Grow where nothing else can.
Spread with minimal effortLet the weeds grow no matter where they are
Perhaps some of your profits are coming from unexpected sources or you are seeing potential in areas outside your original business plan. Resist the urge to ignore those unexpected areas to your business. Instead, nurture these new business sources, update your business plan to include them if that make you feel any better. These new, unexpected areas of business could themselves lead on to much greater things. After all one dandelion growing between two patio slabs is just a gust of wind away from a fertile lawn.
Have you left the competition behind?
Sometimes a weed can supress or stop other plants from growing. Have you discover a new market or produced a new product that doesn’t have any competition or even more tantalising, pushed out the current incumbent? It could be you are on to something here. Perhaps your value offering or messaging is better than the competition or that you are the first on the scene.
Write a business process rather than a plan
That’s right, tear up your plan! What you need is a business process. How can your business emulate seeds blowing in the wind? How can it support business growth no matter where it is coming from? Are you ready for a bit of trial and error? Make sure your business process includes the follow steps:
Keep your senses primed for any information about sales from unexpected sources.
Don’t dismiss miscellaneous revenue sources as too small to nurture, they could lead on to better things.
Correct negative talk, or the suppression of experimental ideas.
Be open minded as to what your business might become, don’t be held hostage by previous dreams.Do you have the time and resources to grow like a weed?
As a small business owner, you may of course not have the time or resources to developing a business process. This is where My Marketing Dept comes into its own as we will organically grow your business through operational marketing. We will help you develop sustainable growth using all the tools in the marketing shed, leaving no stone unturned in the process. Book a exploratory 1-2-1 zoom call today.
