Handy tips to help you and your business grow

Use these tips to help your business and yourself grow and thrive

You might recognize this story. You started your own business because you were simply good at what you did. An expert in a specific service or a true craftsman in creating a particular product. And it worked: your company grew into a successful business. In fact, it got so busy that you decided to hire extra hands (or brains).

Then came the moment you suddenly realized that your focus had gradually shifted from your original core business (the service or product you're so good at) to pure business management. That’s a whole different ball game.

Not only have more people become dependent on the success of your business, but the reverse is also true: without those people, your business can no longer grow and thrive. So, you need to get to work on HR management, especially if you plan to expand your company further. How do you do that if it’s not actually your profession? These tips can help you on your way.

1. Keep a clear and achievable goal in mind

Of course, it’s good to map out a multi-year plan for your business. Setting a clear goal on the horizon for both the short and long term is definitely part of a good business strategy. However, be realistic in your ambitions and don’t set the bar too high.

So, don’t just think about how fast you want to grow, but also what that requires. Financially, materially, and in terms of HR. What does it demand in terms of effort, knowledge, and skills from your employees?

Conduct a "fleet review": what people do you currently have on board, are they capable of making that development, and if so, what do they need? You might need to ease off the gas for a bit. But you can also make progress with small steps. And it gives you and your employees a bit more breathing room to grow along with the developments.

2. Build a strong team

As a starting entrepreneur, you are at the helm alone, the spider in the web keeping everything under control. But as your company grows, prepare yourself for the fact that you can no longer do everything yourself. You must have the courage and the ability to delegate certain tasks to others. If you don’t, there’s a good chance that not only will you burn out, but your company will go down with you. And that certainly can’t be the intention.

Really, you don’t have to be able to do everything. There’s a reason for the saying "stick to what you know." So, gather a strong team around you so you can let go of certain things and pass the baton to someone who knows more about it than you do.

Is your business too small for a permanent HR advisor or financial professional? Then consider hiring an external consultant on an hourly basis. There is nothing wrong with that either. It gives you extra space in your schedule and a better night's sleep.

3. Develop your leadership skills

As soon as you are no longer a solo operator but have one or more employees, you need more than just professional knowledge about your product or service. Something extra is required: leadership qualities. You need to be able to motivate people, commit them to your organization, and establish and pass on the company's values.

That requires quite a lot. Self-awareness, communication skills, or time management, to name just a few aspects. Some people have those skills naturally, but usually, it takes more than that to be a good manager.

So, don’t hesitate to seek advice from a business coach or take a good management training course. It is well worth the investment.

4. Take good care of your employees

Once you have carefully assembled your dream team, make sure they want to keep committing themselves to your business. You do this, for example, with a healthy work culture. A work environment where you are allowed to make mistakes and where you feel safe. An environment where enough is invested in good working conditions and a salary that feels like an appreciative pat on the back.

Taking good care of your employees also means offering them the space to continue developing. So, budget for sufficient training and regularly talk to your employees about their future dreams and hidden talents.

Sommige diamantjes vallen op het eerste gezicht niet op, maar kunnen zomaar gaan schitteren met de juiste aandacht. Hoe fijn is dat als je zo’n diamantje in huis blijkt te hebben?!

5. Spring af en toe eens in het diepe

Als je blijft doen wat je altijd al deed, krijg je wat je altijd al kreeg. Hoe tegenstrijdig het ook klinkt: als je je onderneming meer bestaanszekerheid wilt geven, is het soms nodig om een gokje te wagen.

Door steeds te blijven kabbelen, sukkel je in slaap. Dan kan het zomaar zijn dat je als ondernemer op een bepaald moment de boot mist. Je groeit niet mee met de markt en maakt onvoldoende gebruik van nieuwe mogelijkheden en inzichten.

Natuurlijk adviseren we je niet om heel impulsief ondoordachte keuzes te maken. Maar er is niets mis mee om na een goede SWOT-analyse een knoop door te hakken. Om te kiezen voor een andere werkwijze, het vernieuwen van een product, het vergroten van je personeelsbestand of het openen van een nieuwe vestiging. Dat voelt misschien even ongemakkelijk en is soms een beetje spannend, maar zo’n sprong in het diepe kan jouw bedrijf zomaar een nieuwe boost geven.

En ja, soms gok je verkeerd, of maak je een inschattingsfout. Zie dat als een leermoment. Zolang je een buffer achter de hand houdt, is dat helemaal prima. 

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