Six tips for expanding your business

All business owners understand how difficult it can be to expand their company – it takes a great deal of hard work, planning and effort. If you’ve got your business (regardless of size) in a position where you think you can strive for further growth, we have some top tips for you.

Six tips for expanding your business

1. Get covered

2. Follow a detailed plan

3. Invest in your staff and culture

4. Add new services

5. Never forget your strengths

6. Provide quality customer service

1. Get covered

Firstly, many businesses rely on expensive equipment – it’s imperative to get comprehensive cover, whatever you need it for. For example, if you rely on a vehicle or fleet to keep your business on the move, ensure you purchase high quality insurance such as the Business Breakdown Cover offered by RAC.

2. Follow a detailed plan

As Benjamin Franklin is famed for saying – ‘By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail’. Despite this, you would be surprised by just how many companies have no strategy to refer to. Make sure you’re not one of those businesses. Create a plan you can execute and, from there, you can adapt to changes in circumstance.

3. Invest in your staff and culture

The first thing to keep in mind is not to panic hire when you’re experiencing a growth period. The people you take on to represent your business need to understand and be on board with your values. Any business owner should understand the benefit of hiring for the long term. Your employees should enjoy their work and feel valued. Investing in the wellbeing of your staff and creating a positive culture will pay off for your business in the long term.

4. Add new services

Adding new products or services to what you currently offer can be a great way to scale your business if executed well. Carry out comprehensive market research with the help of your current customers. To make any additions successful, you have to know what people need and want from what you offer.

5. Never forget your strengths

The important thing to keep in mind when you’re adding new services to your repertoire is to not get carried away and forget what your strengths are. Focusing on your USP and what you’ve always been known for is key. If you’re adding new products or services, make sure they have a real relevance to what you currently offer.

6. Provide quality customer service

This really should go without saying, but the customer experience is vital to the success of your business. Providing the customer with quality customer service will earn you repeat business and, hopefully, referrals. Do all you can to make sure your customers have nothing but great things to say about you – and remember, little touches can make all the difference.

We hope you can implement one or more of these top tips to grow your business. However you decide to expand, make sure you have a plan and always keep your customers at the heart of your decisions.