No business can afford to stand still. In today’s world, the market is continually shifting and changing, so any business needs to keep on their toes to stay ahead.
If you’re finding your small business is stuck in a rut, it is crucial that you break out of it as soon as possible. Trying new things is one of the surest ways to break out of any rut, whether in your personal or professional life.
Here are a few innovative solutions that can help you to break free of a business rut.
Restyle your office
‘A change can be as good as a rest’ is a very relevant proverb in business. There are plenty of changes that you could make to your business, but one of the easiest and most effective is a total revamp of your office.
Your physical environment has a significant impact on your productivity and creativity. If you’ve been working in the same offices for a number of years now, then a renovation could be just the thing to keep you and your staff on their toes. Consider moving your office furniture around, adding a splash of colour with some office plants and putting up some pictures or paintings to give the office a homely feel.
The benefits of an attractive office are many, and it could be as simple as a coat of paint and a few well thought out investments that will make all the difference.
Host a social event
No business should be all work and no play. Having time to socialise and have fun with co-workers is a crucial part of business life. As a business owner, you could consider ensuring that there are regular chances for your employees to meet and catch up in a non-work-related setting.
Social events can increase employee satisfaction and give everyone a well-deserved break from the office’s hustle and bustle. Human connection is essential for every member of your team, including you and socialising gives everyone the chance to blow off some steam and come back to the office refreshed.
Consider rebranding
A fresh logo and new company branding can help to blow away the cobwebs in any business. You could consider enlisting the help of a professional branding service to make your brand shine. Most companies have a policy of regular rebranding to prevent their brand from becoming dated, so if you’re stuck in a rut, this could be just the thing to break you out of it.
Discuss any changes with your team to see if they have any ideas or suggestions. Keeping your team in the loop and a part of the decision-making process when it comes to your brand can help to ensure that they feel a valued part of your business.
Search Engine Optimisation
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a great way to get your business out there and attract new customers. If you’ve never tried SEO for your small business, then doing so could be perfect for helping you break out of a rut and grow your business.
SEO works by utilising keywords to ensure that your company’s website ranks highly on search engines like Google. For a more comprehensive overview, check out this article: Why is SEO Vital For Your Business.
You should consider enlisting a professional SEO agency’s services to help you get the most out of SEO. Taking on new contractors can also help breathe fresh energy into your business, which could be invaluable in getting your business operating at full steam again.
Launch a new product or service
Finding new and innovative things or services to sell can help break any business out of a rut. If you’ve become accustomed to doing business a certain way and selling a particular product, then it can be easy to fall into a routine that doesn’t promote innovation.
Starting something new will help to energise you and your team, shaking things up and encouraging new ideas. You could consider having an office-wide contest to see who can develop the best idea for a new product or service. This will help to foster creativity in your team and give everyone a goal to work towards.
Bring in new people
A business is only as good as the people it employs. Bringing in fresh talent could help to energise the entire company and increase creativity. Try to find new employees that will shake up the office without creating tension or unease.
You could consider reviewing your current employees and identifying the type of candidate your office could benefit from. A good team will include many different personalities and strengths, so finding someone that will complement and encourage your team is essential.
Develop your existing employees
Bringing in new people can be incredibly advantageous, but it is vital that you also focus on your current employees. Constant development is crucial to keep your staff on top of their game and to show them that you care about them and their professional satisfaction within the role.
Do some research into the types of training and development that could be beneficial for the different members of your team. You could consider discussing potential training with staff members in their one-to-one meetings and see if they have any insights or thoughts on what could be most beneficial.
Promote flexible working
Flexible working is a great way to motivate employees and improve satisfaction in the workplace. This could be working from home or allowing employees more choice over their working hours. Flexible working helps give your staff a better work/life balance, meaning that they will work better and with greater productivity and creativity.
Give yourself a break
Running a business is a hard thing to do. It can be easy to get bogged down with the stressors and perceived failures in business, but it is essential that you take time to remember your successes. Owning your business is in itself a huge achievement, so try your best not to focus on the negative when you feel that you’re stuck in a rut. You can and will overcome this.
It could also help to give yourself a physical break from your company. Consider putting your business into the hands of someone you trust to run it well, and take a few days or a week to relax and recharge. You will come back refreshed and able to tackle things with a new perspective.
Harness the power of social media
Social media can be a potent tool for businesses. When used well, it can drive sales, play a huge part in marketing, and promote brand awareness and recognition. If your company feels stuck in a rut, then starting a social media campaign could be just the thing to help you break out of it. You could consider running social media contests and competitions to generate hype about your business.
Consider the different types of social media platform and decide which would best serve your business. It is a good idea to have a presence on all major social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Depending on your business’s target demographics, you could also create a profile on some of the lesser-known social media platforms.
The critical thing to remember is that social media will require you to release high-quality, engaging content. This will help to grow your popularity among users and increase sales and brand recognition.
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