What to Strategize When Expanding Your Business

Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Growth Strategy (41-slide PowerPoint presentation). The reality is: all businesses face the challenge of achieving sustainable Growth. They need viable Growth Strategies. So, what is Growth Strategy? It is the organization's high-level Corporate Strategy Plan that outlines everything the organization needs to do to achieve its goals for [read more]

Also, if you are interested in becoming an expert on Strategy Development, take a look at Flevy's Strategy Development Frameworks offering here. This is a curated collection of best practice frameworks based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. By learning and applying these concepts, you can you stay ahead of the curve. Full details here.

* * * *

Most business owners at one time or another would have considered the notion of expanding their company. If your business is making a good profit and sales are on the up, then it can be a decisive and logical next step.

How you go about your company’s expansion is another matter. You should first consider the different opportunities that you have open to you. Expansion can take many forms, and they should all be assessed so that you follow the right one for your company.

Consider the Markets

Before you decide on which direction you will follow, think about what the markets are doing. For example, you might want to take over another business, however, if the markets are high and the company will cost a lot to buy, it might not be in your company’s best interest.

You should also discuss any expansion with your other colleagues and board members to get their opinion and backing. They may have other ideas or information that could lead you in another direction.

Increasing Your Market Share

One way you can expand is to get a bigger share of your existing market. The easiest and best way to do this is to start strategic marketing campaigns that target your customers and create new leads.

By adding more custom from your existing market, you don’t have to do a lot apart from spending money on your marketing.

Physical Expansion

To attain a bigger market share and maintain it, you might have to consider a physical expansion of your company. It might include taking on more staff or finding bigger premises. You should also consider adding to your existing computer network as well. Upgrading computer memory through companies like Offtek can help to keep your business running, especially if you need new machines.

Diversification

If you don’t think that you can attain a larger market share with your existing range, you could try to diversify into other products. By creating new and exciting products, you will entice those who already buy from you. You should also be able to attract new customers who are interested in your new range.

Along with any new product, there has to be a concerted marketing campaign. You want as many people as possible to know what you are doing so that it attracts those new customers to your business.

Offer Franchises

If you want to open new outlets, but don’t want to manage them all as a company, you can offer them as a franchise opportunity. There are a lot of new business owners that would seriously consider such a franchise, and you can leave the day-to-day running of the outlet to them.

It can provide a good opportunity for growth and spread the name of your brand to other areas that you might not have dealt with before.

By exploring all of these avenues, you can quickly discover the best expansion options for your business. You will then be in a better position to focus on one strategy and not become sidetracked.

Want to Achieve Excellence in Strategy Development?

Gain the knowledge and develop the expertise to become an expert in Strategy Development. Our frameworks are based on the thought leadership of leading consulting firms, academics, and recognized subject matter experts. Click here for full details.

"Strategy without Tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without Strategy is the noise before defeat." - Sun Tzu

For effective Strategy Development and Strategic Planning, we must master both Strategy and Tactics. Our frameworks cover all phases of Strategy, from Strategy Design and Formulation to Strategy Deployment and Execution; as well as all levels of Strategy, from Corporate Strategy to Business Strategy to "Tactical" Strategy. Many of these methodologies are authored by global strategy consulting firms and have been successfully implemented at their Fortune 100 client organizations.

These frameworks include Porter's Five Forces, BCG Growth-Share Matrix, Greiner's Growth Model, Capabilities-driven Strategy (CDS), Business Model Innovation (BMI), Value Chain Analysis (VCA), Endgame Niche Strategies, Value Patterns, Integrated Strategy Model for Value Creation, Scenario Planning, to name a few.

Learn about our Strategy Development Best Practice Frameworks here.