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Early Growth
Having overcome the start-up stage, you are generating revenue, have the beginning of a client base and are ready to take the business forward.
It is time to look at each area of your business to find ways of improving, introduce structure and new systems that enable you to share information.
You begin to build a team of people with complimentary skills to help you achieve your clearly defined goals. Here are some of the things a Business Mentor will help you to consider.


Having to do most things yourself
You learn a lot in business by doing everything yourself, however, after a while you are likely to become stressed and worn out.
The reality is you can’t do everything, and you need to build a team that you can delegate to. Delegation is not easy, however, failure to delegate will prevent you and your team from moving forwards. Would you like to learn how to delegate successfully?


Change of Role
As the owner of the business it is important that you recognise the need for your personal growth alongside business growth.
You are the strategist, the planner and it is important that you set your goals and share them with your team so that you move forwards together. You will need to develop leadership skills and the ability to manage your team, to ensure you are up to date with employment law and other regulations. Be ready to adapt to ever changing circumstances.


Financial Awareness
Are you in control of your business finances?
Financial awareness requires good record keeping, credit control, cash flow forecasting, budgeting and understanding the cost of debt.
While there are many balls to juggle when running a small business, a lack of financial control is the one which will hurt most if you drop it. By fully understanding the financial side of business you can determine when and how you can increase profits.


Building a Client Base
The key to business growth is to build a client base of customers who buy from you on a regular basis.
To build a client base you need to have systems in place that enable you to stay in contact with them, building loyalty.
Recognise the long-term value of your clients, offer them great customer service and keep them coming back for more.


Establishing Brand Values
Your brand represents your values and core beliefs and is the essence which runs through your business, it will guide people’s perception of you.
While many things may change - your goals, your target market, your products - your brand values should remain the same. It is important that you are clear about your brand to enable you to use it to differentiate you from your competition.


Identify New Markets
To enable your business to grow you first need to recognise the strengths and capabilities of your company, you then need to identify opportunities to move into new areas to trade.
Market analysis is required, an understanding of who is buying from you and why, what your competitors are doing, other products and services that compliment what you do and what others serving the same target market are doing.
