For many businesses, the last year has been about survival. With COVID-19 disrupting virtually every facet of the economy, companies were forced to evolve. The results have been impressive to watch. Business models were reinvented, employees shifted to remote work, and supply chain disruptions led to creative results. Indeed, the resilience of American businesses has been nothing if not inspiring.
During tough times, it can help to look for inspiration. As we work to navigate the late stage pandemic, many professionals are turning to business growth quotes for guidance. Inspirational leadership quotes are powerful tools for motivation. The next time you’re feeling frustrated or lost, look to these experts for insight into how to grow a business – you’ll walk away feeling refreshed and ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Staying Agile
“Become a change-ready organization. This goes beyond being able to deploy a new tool or process — it means building a culture and communication structure that is ready, willing and able to adapt to any change. After all, the rate of change and evolution in business and technology is only going to continue and even pick up speed.”
Keith Kitani, CEO, GuideSpark
Nobody could have predicted the emergence of COVID-19. That’s why it’s best not to try and play fortune teller about other possible upheavals. Business growth quotes like this one highlight the importance of remaining agile, no matter what the world looks like. Many times, the only certainty in life is uncertainty. By building change readiness into your standard operating procedures, your organization can remain afloat regardless of larger world events or even local issues. It’s not enough to simply implement tools or strategies in a reactionary manner. Instead, by fostering a culture that’s adaptable above all else, companies can stay afloat no matter what comes down the pipeline.
“In today’s era of volatility, there is no other way but to re-invent. The only sustainable advantage you can have over others is agility, that’s it. Because nothing else is sustainable, everything else you create, somebody else will replicate.”
Jeff Bezos, CEO and President, Amazon
Say what you will about Jeff Bezos, but nobody knows the power of reinvention quite like the leader of Amazon. From their early days as a bookseller, the company was always ready to pivot to something new. Business strategy quotes like this are of course easier said than done, but we can all learn something from Bezos’ agility. Reinvention is a powerful tool, and if your business isn’t ready to ditch outdated strategies and technologies, you may be left in the past. Competition is stiffer than ever in the post-COVID era, and if you’re not at the forefront of innovation, your customers may begin to look to your competitors instead.
“Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end.”
Michelle Obama, Former First Lady
When you’ve found a certain level of success, it’s tempting to get comfortable. Achieving your goals is certainly admirable, but success is no excuse to rest on your laurels. As Michelle Obama knows first-hand, reaching the pinnacle of success can be the jumping off point for even greater achievements. Inspirational leadership quotes are often a dime a dozen, but this one in particular highlights the importance of staying agile even after you’ve achieved certain personal or professional benchmarks. The next time you’re feeling a little too comfortable at the top, channel Mrs. Obama and reach for new heights.
Transforming Your Business
“Consumers now expect to be able to get things, talk to someone, and do what they want at any time. That’s led to a divide. Some companies and products provide such a perfect, seamless experience that it has raised the bar. In fact, it’s so easy and seamless that we kind of forget to be impressed. But what they’re doing is making the ones that don’t deliver that kind of great experience all the more obvious.”
Susan Weinschenk, Chief Behavioral Scientist and CEO, The Team W
We live in a 24/7 society. Gone are the days when business hours were limited to nine-to-five. Thanks to increased globalization and competition, business owners must now adapt their customer service strategies to meet the demands of customers around the clock. Allowing calls to roll to voicemail won’t win over many new clients these days. Instead, consumers expect to be met where they are. Business strategy quotes don’t come more straightforward than this; if you’re eager to bring your organization into the 21st century, you’ll want to raise the bar on the customer experiences you offer and their availability.
“The shift to lifelong learning is absolutely essential. As the pace of technological change quickens, we need to be sure that employees are keeping up with the right skills to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. That applies to both technical and soft skills. There will be changes in both areas.”
Zvika Krieger, Head of Technology Policy and Partnerships, Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Investing in employees is always a good idea. In the wake of COVID-19, the investment is an even better bet. With more and more employees working from home permanently, leaders must find new ways to train and upgrade the skills of their team. Learning how to grow a business starts with educating yourself and your employees. Technology is shifting rapidly. Fail to keep pace with trends and innovations and you could find yourself left in the dust. By prioritizing your commitment to lifelong learning and development, your colleagues will have no choice but to keep pace. But it’s not enough to merely model this attitude. Instead, work to build curiosity and innovation into the framework of your organization. This commitment will pay off in spades.
Recipes for Growth
“Firms need to ensure that their ability to provide effective customer service keeps pace with their growth. If you’re marketing your firm to new customers, you better be able to provide them service when they do business with you.”
Arthur Levitt, former chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Some modern businesses are mere smoke and mirrors. Slick marketing, low prices, and empty promises are sure to turn an initial profit, but long term, these strategies serve only to turn customers away from your organization. While most businesses don’t set out to deceive their customers, empty promises result in the same feeling of disappointment and frustration as if you’d outright lied. Business growth quotes like this one cut through to the heart of many modern customer service challenges. If you can’t deliver on the promises you make early on in the buyer’s journey, you’re better off not making them at all.
“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”
James Cash Penney, founder of JCPenney
After many years of success in business, it’s easy to grow accustomed to annual growth. As the COVID-19 era has taught us, though, growth is never the result of mere luck. Instead, business success relies on a number of outside forces coming together to meet customer demand. If one link of that chain fails, the entire apple cart can be overturned. So what’s the lesson here? Don’t count on your success, even if you’ve been fortunate in the past. Instead, work harder and smarter to insulate your business from unprecedented events – and see your organization flourish as a result.
“Growth, in some curious way, I suspect, depends on being always in motion just a little bit, one way or another.”
Norman Mailer, author, actor, and politician
It’s tempting to shift into cruise control, particularly after a challenging year. Mastering how to grow a business can seem like a tall order after surviving a global pandemic. Still, it’s important not to stay stagnant too long. Take the time you and your team need to regroup after a trying year, then figure out your next move. Growth doesn’t have to be exponential; instead, try implementing small, easily digestible changes for the greater good of your organization. You’ll be surprised at how much can change when you stay in constant motion!
Work Smarter with MAP Communications
There’s no denying it: the world has changed exponentially over the last year. In 2021, businesses are held to higher standards – while under more demanding constraints – than ever before. In the face of the insurmountable, survival became paramount. Growth was often an afterthought. As we transition out of the pandemic, inspirational business quotes like these can serve as motivation to shift goals once again.
If you’re eager to grow your organization after a trying year, look to these thought leaders for guidance. When you’re ready to put a plan into action, consider partnering with MAP Communications. Our customized call center services and team of talented virtual receptionists can give you the advantage you need to sustainably grow your business. Sign up for a free trial today!
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