Every business is unique – it has to be in order to survive. Even businesses that share an industry and appear very similar have unique aspects that separate them from the group. This is how business is. You don’t have time to follow the crowd, you have to find a way to get ahead.
But if every business is unique, how can you identify what your unique needs are? What can you do to make your business the best it can be without following the crowd? No matter what kind of entrepreneur you are, the trick is to identify what brings your company together and makes it stand out from the crowd. Then you need to figure out what you need to do to make that happen.
Efficiency Requirements
The first rule of business is to be as efficient as possible. This means that you need to have the right equipment, the right software and the right processes in place to make your business work seamlessly. In some cases, this might mean investing in superior manufacturing equipment such as a WeldBot or the development of a unique piece of software.
But another option is outsourcing. In some cases, outsourcing is a more efficient method than bringing a process in house. For example, outsourcing HR or IT requirements is often a lot cheaper than having someone in-house.
Employee Welfare
You should never be in any doubt as to one thing about your business: the people make it. Without your employees, your business wouldn’t be the same. But they aren’t just vital because they come up with good ideas or because they oversee business processes. They are also vital because they bring new perspectives and character traits to the business.
Making your employees feel valued should be one of your top priorities. This doesn’t just mean paying them well, it also means identifying their unique needs. For example, you might have parents who would prefer to work from home on some days. Equally, you might have a real coffee-lover whose day would be made by the introduction of a coffee machine to the office. Talk to your employees, get to know what makes them tick and you will have a much happier workforce.
Business Goals
Every business has slightly different goals. For some businesses, customer service is the top priority, for others, the very best technology is more important. But no matter what your main business goals are, you must ensure that they are specific, measurable and smart. There’s no point in setting an irrelevant goal or a goal that is unachievable so think carefully.
When you know what your unique business goals are, you should inform your staff and work together to achieve each goal. It might be as simple as designating project roles to each person but sometimes achieving a goal is more about supporting each other.
Realising that your business strength lies in your more unique aspects is a really important part of your growth as an entrepreneur. Embrace the differences and nurture the unique values within your business. Identifying your needs is just the first step, now you need to put theory into practice.
