strategic tune-up - closeup of keyboard with small tool box on enter key with the words Tune up

Four Ways a Strategic Tune-Up Can Help Drive Your Business to New Heights of Success

by BlogEdmiston Group

In today’s competitive business landscape, small business owners must constantly seek ways to optimize their operations and stay ahead of the curve. A strategic tune-up can provide valuable insights and guidance, helping you identify areas for improvement and develop a roadmap for success.

Here are four key ways a strategic tune-up can drive your business to new heights:

1. Strategic Evaluation of Current Operations and Processes

A thorough evaluation of your current operations and processes is crucial for identifying inefficiencies and areas for optimization. By analyzing your business from a holistic perspective, you can gain a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts.

  • For example, a brick-and-mortar merchant might discover that their website does not provide a way for customers to easily place an order for pickup, and realize they are losing potential sales.  

2. Identify Gaps or Areas for Improvement

Once you have a clear understanding of your current operations and processes, you can identify specific gaps or areas where improvements can be made. These gaps may relate to customer service, product offerings, marketing strategies, or operational inefficiencies. Identifying these gaps is essential for developing targeted strategies to address them.

  • For instance, a retail store might realize that they are not effectively targeting its online audience, resulting in missed sales opportunities.

3. Tailored Recommendations to Optimize Operations and Enhance Services

Based on the evaluation and gap analysis, a strategic tune-up will provide tailored recommendations to optimize your operations and enhance your services. These recommendations may include streamlining processes, implementing new technologies, adjusting marketing strategies, or improving customer experiences. By implementing these recommendations, you can drive efficiency, increase productivity, and improve customer satisfaction.

  • For example, a manufacturing company might be advised to invest in automation to reduce production costs and increase output.

4. Collaborative Implementation Plan to Streamline Your Business Approach

A successful strategic tune-up requires a collaborative implementation plan that outlines the steps required to make the necessary changes. This plan should include clear timelines, responsibilities, and performance metrics to ensure that the recommendations are implemented effectively and in a timely manner. By working together with a team of experts, you can ensure a smooth transition and maximize the benefits of your strategic tune-up.

  • For example, an accounting firm might work with a consultant to develop a plan for implementing a new sales and outreach system to improve client communications and increase brand loyalty.

Embrace the power of a strategic tune-up and unlock the full potential of your business. Contact Autumn today to schedule a strategic tune-up and get started on optimizing your business strategy. Don’t let inefficiencies and missed opportunities hold you back.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Product-Launch

Nailed It!

by BlogCommunications

Product-LaunchHave you ever had someone tell you that you “Nailed It”? You had such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction for a job well done. Perhaps you spent months planning a product launch, large grand opening or corporate event. Everyone involved celebrated the victory, but the planning process wasn’t without its hiccups. After all… is nothing that goes perfectly 100% of the time. There are numerous vendors, responsible staff that were assigned certain tasks and logistical issues to take into account. They all have to work together toward the common goal – the product launch, corporate party or grand opening – otherwise referred to as the main event!

But what happens when someone doesn’t hold their weight or a vendor lets you down? You begin to scramble to correct the situation, or in worst case scenario, find another vendor. As a business owner or vendor bringing a piece of the puzzle to the party, you don’t want to fail.

We often talk in marketing about putting together a plan. Without a plan everything can come to a dead stop. Case in point… I planned on taking a recent vacation. Weeks prior, I asked a colleague if they would like to submit a blog for our newsletter. We discussed the topic so there was continuity in the newsletter and identified a target day.

Lisa had the article prepared prior to my leaving for vacation, and I was able to go away knowing that part of the plan was handled. This was a trust we had between us that a task would happen. But what if she would have let me down? My reaction would have been quite different.

When you get a nail in the tire of your car – think about how something as small as a one-inch nail can stop a 4,000 machine. Things you had hoped to accomplish are suddenly dead in the water. So, what does all this have to do with business? Identify your nail. Is your nail something that will build and grow your business, or will it stop you in your tracks.

We are well into the 2nd quarter of business and I would ask these questions:

  • Have you set a plan for growth during summer months and upcoming vacation season? That includes planning for summer sales, meeting new referral resources, staff vacations and your own down time.
  • Are there new concepts or skills you need to set aside time to learn? If so, put learning time on your calendar and stick to it. You may need to hire a consultant to work with you and your team.
  • When you rely on others to help you grow, do you give them the proper tools to succeed, or are you a micromanager that everything bottlenecks at your desk.

As you continue to grow your business this year are you going to key the phrase “Nailed It” or will the “Nail in the Coffin” result in stagnant growth for you both personally as well as in your business? To your business success… Nail It!

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.