Over the years, I’ve worked with numerous businesses, and it never ceases to amaze me how often they stick to their usual methods without exploring alternatives. This applies to operations, sales, and marketing.
Many businesses rely on 5-6 different systems without investigating other options. I understand this is often due to time constraints and lack of expertise. If your business has grown organically, you might not have felt the need to look into this. But could your business be more effective? Do you ask that question often enough? In today’s world, staff are costly and sometimes not as effective as they could be. By leveraging automation and systems, you can enhance their efficiency and accountability. Before expanding your team, consider evaluating your current processes or seeking advice. It’s easy to maintain the status quo, but remember, if it isn’t broken, it doesn’t mean it can’t be improved. There are countless tools available that can simplify your life, and this is just the beginning with AI.
Is your marketing and sales strategy smart enough? Is it creative, or does it just state the obvious? Think about what you’re advertising, whether through traditional methods or social media. I’ve seen so many dull ads—let’s be honest, they’re boring. Have some fun! People are human, including the CEOs you want to reach. We live in a competitive marketplace, and creativity is essential to thrive. Marketing and sales can be cost-effective and yield great results. I once worked with a company that believed spending thousands on a stand was the right approach. But when I look at stands, I see people in matching t-shirts watching me walk by, making no eye contact, and frankly, they don’t seem to care. There’s an art to events, and it’s a simple one that anyone can master. If you have a team of 10 at a stand, each one should be engaging with someone. The key is figuring out how to make that happen.
Traditional methods are making a comeback. We focus so much on online strategies that we forget people still receive mail, and if you’re like me, you love getting your monthly magazines. Email marketing isn’t dead, especially in the education sector. Email works; it’s all about how you do it. With most things, execution is what counts.
We need to be smarter with our data. Is your data segregated? I bet it isn’t. Data is incredibly powerful, no matter your business. Collecting data and integrating it into your CRM can drive growth. At a recent conference, I saw leads being recorded on paper and a clipboard. I couldn’t believe my eyes—such duplication and a complete waste of time. We have fantastic technology to handle this for you and even send a thank-you email. Personalisation is key with data; the more you know about a business and its people, the better.