strategic business growth firm
Linkedin-in
310.519.1947

Bite-Size Chunks of Wisdom

Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia

Recent Posts

How to Accelerate Business Growth When the Economy Feels Uncertain

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
Two business colleagues reviewing notes together at a table, one pointing out a detail to the other
Two business colleagues reviewing notes together at a table, one pointing out a detail to the other

Waiting for the economy to stabilize before you grow isn’t caution, it’s the single most common reason a $250K–$4M service-based business stays stuck. Have you ever noticed that things never actually stabilize on a schedule? The businesses that accelerate growth in uncertain times make three specific moves regardless of what the news is saying: they get outside eyes on the stall, fix the one bottleneck that’s actually causing the issue, and set a real deadline instead of a vague intention. None of that requires the economy to cooperate first. (Can I get a Hallelujah?)

Every owner I’ve worked with has said some version of it: once things settle down, I’ll focus on growth. In 25+ years of doing this work, across multiple real downturns (not just the steady years), I’ve never seen the economy actually settle down on cue. Waiting for stability is waiting for a time that doesn’t ever arrive.

Waiting Until Things Stabilize Is A Growth-Killer Myth

What stalls growth almost always turns out to be a bottleneck inside the business. Uncertainty just makes it easier to hide behind. If you’ve felt this without naming it, Entrepreneurs: Balancing Uncertainty and Complexity digs into that dynamic further.

The Outside-Objectivity Gap

The thing that’s creating a stall is usually obvious to someone who isn’t us. That can be a tough pill to swallow since we pride ourselves in knowing our business better than anyone else. One client put it this way: “I was too close to see my own situation objectively.” That’s the whole gap, in their own words. We’re inside the day-to-day of the business we built, so the distance between what we’re doing and what’s actually working stops being visible to us.

An outside, strategic view doesn’t tell you anything you couldn’t have figured out eventually. It just tells you now, instead of eighteen months from now. That’s a real game-changer for turning growth around.

Three Moves That Accelerate Business Growth Regardless Of The Economy

  1. Get an outside read on where you’re actually stuck. Someone who can see the business without your blind spots. (Warning: a friend’s opinion or a gut check you’ve already talked yourself out of won’t do it.) Most owners already suspect the answer. They need someone to confirm it and give them permission to act on it. This is huge!
  2. Fix the one bottleneck that’s actually foundational, not the one that’s loudest. Uncertain economies make it tempting to fix everything at once. Pick the single constraint that’s genuinely holding growth back and leave the rest alone for now.
  3. Set an actual date to implement your plan. “When things pick up” isn’t a plan. Pick a month, a week, and a day. Tell someone. A deadline with no one watching makes it much too easy to let slide.

What 25+ Years Of Economic Cycles Teaches About Timing Growth Decisions

I’ve watched businesses grow through good years and bad, and the pattern holds: the businesses that wait for certainty before acting are not growing at the same rate as their colleagues who implement their growth decisions. The ones that grew did it in the same uncertain conditions while everyone else sat out waiting for economic certainty to return.

The economy isn’t something you control. A bottleneck inside your own business is. That’s the whole case for timing growth decisions around the second thing, not the first. This is exactly the pattern covered in What No One Tells An Entrepreneur About Breaking Through a Business Plateau.

Slow Growth Is A Strategy Problem, Not An Economy Problem

If your business has been flat for a while, it’s worth asking honestly: is it actually the economy, or is it a stall you’ve been in for a while and are attributing to the economy? Most of the time it’s the second one.

If that sounds familiar, the Messy Middle below breaks down what’s usually going on underneath a stall.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I accelerate business growth without more funding?
Growth stalls are generally a bottleneck problem, not a capital problem. Most of the time, the fastest path forward is fixing the one constraint that’s actually holding things back, not raising more money to grow around it.

Is it normal for a small business to stall during uncertain economic times?
Yes, and it’s rarely the economy itself causing the stall. Uncertainty just makes it easier to point at something outside the business instead of calling out the internal bottleneck.

What’s the fastest way to figure out what’s actually stalling my growth?
Get someone outside the business to look at it directly. Owners are often too close to their own situation to see the gap objectively. That’s not a failure, it’s just how being inside your own business works.

What No One Tells An Entrepreneur About Breaking Through a Business Plateau

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
entrepreneur

Editors Note: Originally published August 2022. Updated June 2026.

Entrepreneurship is fun and exciting — until it’s not. 

There comes a time in every entrepreneur’s journey when you realize that the skills, abilities, industry knowledge, and personal know-how are no longer the right components to take your business to the next level. 

They served you well for a time. Finally, your entrepreneurial skillset got you to a point where you’ve survived the dreaded start-up phase, proven your business model, and are maintaining revenue. And yet, growth has stalled.

What do you do? 

Many entrepreneurs work harder. They invest more hours into their business. They worry about tomorrow. Stress and overwhelm punctuate their day.  Pushed beyond what is humanly possible, they develop a distaste for what they love. Why? 

They doubled down on the tasks, actions, and plans that got them to where they’re today, yet nothing seems to budge the numbers.  

What’s going on?!

One thing we know for sure — what got you here won’t get you there.

entrepreneur

Moving Beyond the Business Plateau

Unfortunately, every business passes through a somewhat predictable and unavoidable growth pattern. 

Stalls in growth generally occur around $250 – 350K, then around $750K to $1M, and approximately $3-4M. These thresholds can vary by industry and have been influenced by broader economic shifts, but the pattern itself remains remarkably consistent across service-based businesses.

Several components contribute to a plateau. However, in most cases, it’s a combination of factors. For example, mindset, confidence in delegating, finding the right talent, and implementing the right strategy are only a few factors influencing the business’s evolution to the next level. 

Mindset 

A trusted colleague and friend once said, “If you can leave your business for three weeks and not have a drop in income, you have a business. However, if revenue grinds to a halt in your absence after a few days, you’re merely self-employed.” 

The collapsed definition between entrepreneur and solopreneur is a common dilemma, especially among professional service providers who launch their business based on their skill set. But, whether it’s your legal acumen, accounting, bookkeeping, human resources, training, or coaching skillset, there’s a limit to where your business can grow when you’re doing it all yourself. 

It takes a village — and often a crowbar — to dislodge a business owner from the day-to-day delivery of core services. 

The mindset shift required in 2026 goes one step further: it also means knowing when to leverage AI tools versus when to invest in human talent. The temptation to automate everything is just as much a trap as doing everything yourself. The most successful entrepreneurs today are those who are clear-eyed about which tasks need a human touch — and which don’t.

Talent 

…and its evil twin, delegation.

Talent acquisition is a tricky area to maneuver for the entrepreneur. Often, one’s confidence in engaging talent, whether it’s through employment or subcontractors, is multi-faceted. 

Considerations include budget, cash flow, sourcing, and learning about an entirely new industry, human resources, with its many rules and ramifications. 

Primarily, however, is the entrepreneur’s ability to strap on a new skill set of locating, identifying, interviewing, onboarding, training, delegating, and most importantly, trusting the talent you’ve hired. 

The talent landscape has shifted significantly. Remote work is now a given, not a perk, which means your talent pool is no longer limited by geography. More importantly, the rise of fractional executives — fractional CFOs, CMOs, COOs, and operations leads — has made it possible for growing businesses to access seasoned leadership without the cost of a full-time hire. If you’re bumping against a ceiling, a fractional hire may be the most cost-effective way to bring in the expertise your next stage requires.

Strategy 

Often we outgrow the strategy with which we have launched our organizations. Whether it’s the primary driver of profitability, a refinement in services you provide, or the core clients for whom services are delivered, when you begin to bump your head against the growth ceiling, an upgrade in your strategic approach to the future of your business may be necessary. 

Often, a niche within an industry holds a disproportionate percentage of the profit.

One critical strategic question for 2026: has your niche been disrupted — or amplified — by AI? Many service businesses have found that AI has either commoditized what they do or created enormous demand for their human expertise. Either way, it’s worth revisiting your positioning with fresh eyes. The businesses that are breaking through plateaus right now are those that have gotten clear on what only they can offer.

Growth Plan

Growth plan? What’s that? 

Often our days are so packed full of fires that the notion of planning for growth feels like a luxury. It isn’t.

In a world where entrepreneurs are inundated with AI-generated advice, productivity hacks, and competing frameworks, having a clear, documented growth plan is more important than ever — not less. Without it, you’re not just standing still; you’re being efficiently steered in the wrong direction.

Instead, with business rapidly changing, you want to keep your plans flexible. A living document you revisit quarterly beats a perfect plan that sits in a drawer.

Execution

You can’t execute on a nonexistent plan. I know it’s common sense, but it’s worth saying. 

The internet is full of tools, tips, and experts willingly sharing their know-how on how to be more productive and efficient. However, until your growth plan is on paper, information on improved efficiency might lead you down the wrong path – only this time more quickly. 

Execution is driven by your priority, revealed in your growth plan, and informed by data. 

Cash

Not much happens without it. The larger your organization grows, the more critical money becomes to finance your growth. Did you know Microsoft keeps a year’s operating expenses in the bank? 

“Growth sucks cash,” and “cash is the oxygen that fuels growth,” says Verne Harnish, author of Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t. 

This is even more true today than when those words were written. The low-interest-rate era of 2020–2021 is over. Credit is tighter, and the cost of borrowing has risen substantially. Entrepreneurs who once relied on cheap capital to bridge growth gaps now need to be more disciplined about cash management from day one. The lesson: build your cash reserves proactively, not reactively.

Cash flow, budget sheets, profit and loss statements, balance sheets — I can hear the wheels of your brain grind to a halt. Don’t panic. Your accountant can help you understand your financial numbers and their impact on making strategic decisions. 

The Right Tool to Bridge the Here to There Gap

My Dad was a diesel mechanic in a small farming community in North Dakota. At the time of his retirement at age 65, he had amassed the most extensive equipment possible. He had tools for hay bailers, tractors, trucks, and combines. He also had specialized tools from various brands like John Deers, International Harvestor, and the occasional Case that wandered into his business. 

I doubt he secured all those tools and the accompanying skills to use them initially. But, over time and one by one, he added to his toolbox his understanding, his skill, and his business growth. 

Your situation is not unlike my Dad’s. 

And, like my Dad, you can start with identifying the best tool for the job and secure the intellect to apply it appropriately and strategically. 

Recognize that the work habits, beliefs, and attitudes — the tools that brought you to this precipice in your business are not the same set of equipment that will elevate your business to the next level.  

What got you here won’t get you there. 

____________________________________________

I’m here to help you break through your plateau and build the business you envisioned. If you’re ready to talk strategy, schedule a complimentary discovery call — I’d love to be part of your next chapter.

Nine Steps to Building Trust Online & Offline for Your Small Business

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
small business trust

When I first crafted this blog in 2018, trust was already eroding. The Edelman Trust Barometer that year flagged declining confidence in institutions, media, and peers. A lot has happened since then — and the numbers have grown more striking. No surprise there!

2026 Update: The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer reports that seven in ten people are now unwilling or hesitant to trust someone whose values, information sources, or cultural background differ from their own. That retreat into insularity — driven by economic anxiety, geopolitical tension, and the rise of misinformation — has compounded the trust deficit that was already challenging small businesses in 2018.

Adding to trust erosion, the sheer volume of messages competing for your buyer’s attention has escalated. In 2018, estimates put daily brand message exposure at roughly 4,000–10,000. Those numbers hold today — but the composition has shifted sharply toward digital and mobile, with social feeds, push notifications, in-app promotions, and AI-generated content now accounting for the bulk of that exposure. The result? Buyers have grown even more skilled at filtering out anything that doesn’t already feel familiar or relevant to them. Research shows that while people may encounter thousands of messages daily, they consciously notice fewer than 100.  Yikes!

What does that mean for your business? I’m so glad you asked!

Today’s buyers complete 70% of their decision-making journey before ever engaging a seller, 95% of the time they buy from a vendor already on their shortlist, and the average sales cycle still stretches to over ten months.

Trust is no longer a soft metric — it’s a pipeline and revenue issue.

The nine steps below aren’t just as relevant as they were in 2018; given how much harder trust is to earn in today’s environment, they’re more essential than ever. Building trust systematically is no longer a nice-to-have strategy. For small businesses, it may be the single most important competitive advantage you can develop.

small business trust

It’s a time of eroding trust in big business, government, and media, as reported by the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer. The average trust in search engines and social media platforms has dropped. Even peers (i.e., “a person like yourself”), once touted as the most credible source of information, have declined considerably.

The 2018 study conducted by Edelman demonstrates that the level of trust and believability in content presented on various platforms is changing as well:

    • 51% trust in personal experiences over data (49%)

    • 59% trust in video over words (41%)

    • 65% trust in a spontaneous speaker over a rehearsed speaker (35%)

    • 63% believe a company’s social media over the company’s advertising (37%)

Despite that, buyers search for trust and reliability continues.

Dwindling Trust Impacts Consumer Buying

The average consumer is exposed to 4,000 – 10,000 brand messages each and every day. Is it any wonder trust is waning? As consumers wade through the inundation of value propositions, information overload, and diminished trust is extending the sales cycle by 22%.

Buyers don’t know who or what to believe anymore.

“A good reputation may get me to try a product – but unless I come to trust
the company behind the product I will soon stop buying it, regardless of its reputation.”

That’s an incredibly profound statement to which 63% of all Edelman study participants agree.

Given the myriad of brand messages, diminishing levels of trust, and the wide range of vendors available, a potential client can easily veer off course on their path to buying your product or service. Given the growing trends, it’s worth taking the time to improve your online and offline trust.

Raising Your Small Business Trust Barometer

The process of client acquisition is rarely a short, straight line. Prospective clients pass through various stages of assurance and trust-building when interacting with your business. Each stage allows your business to develop trust — to move a doubtful, discriminating, prospective buyer to a satisfied client.

When implemented successfully, each succeeding stage heightens trust and establishes the credibility you need to sustain long-lasting relationships.

The nine steps to building trust moves your consumer along the trust continuum. (Although the originator of these powerful nine stages is unknown, we’d like to give a big “shout out” to recognize their contribution to building trust online and offline.)

A consumer moves from….

Step 1. Unaware to aware when they view your website, receive a forwarded email from a friend, or read a story about you or your business on social media.

Step 2. Aware to curious when they are touched or affected by the title or content of something you provide.

Step 3. Curious to interested when they discover something you provide that might help them solve a problem.

Step 4. Interested to believing when they begin to deem that your business is legitimate.

Step 5. Believing to wanting when they see what you are offering and want to learn more about your product or service. 

Step 6. Wanting to in-motion when they respond to an offer and reply by phone, email, or social media message. This is a very BIG step.

Step 7. In-motion to buyer when they believe and trust you and your business, want the product or service you provide, and begin to pay you.

Step 8. Buyer to satisfied customer when they are happy with the product or service you provide and their trust in you is rewarded.

Step 9. Satisfied customer to advocate when a the service and benefits continually exceed their expectations. S/he then begins to refer you to others.

Trust is a forward-looking metric and one of the most valuable business strategies for any business to undertake. By systematically building awareness, trust, and confidence across the stages of trust development, you can solidify your business network immediately using this little-known business strategy.

Are You a Master Strategist? Test Your Strategic Skills with This Quiz

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia

Do you see yourself as a strategic genius? Think again. Only three out of ten small business owners truly grasp strategic skills. This implies that many entrepreneurs could miss crucial growth and scaling opportunities.

Surprised? Don’t be!

Strategic Thinking Skills for Small Business

Developing strategic skills is a challenge for many small business owners. The constant juggling of daily operations, customer service, and financial management often leaves little time for long-term planning and strategic thinking. This lack of time and focus ultimately hinders growth and innovation.

Enhancing your strategic skills, however, opens up a world of possibilities, such as:

  • Identifying emerging trends to strengthen your business and stay ahead.
  • Establishing a clear direction with a well-developed roadmap to align everyone towards the same outcome.
  • Making smart business decisions based on sound principles to navigate challenges effectively.
  • Allocating resources wisely ensures time, money, and effort are directed where they have the most impact.
  • Improving marketplace positioning for easier growth and sustainable success.

Ready to see how strategic you really are? Rick Horwath, best-selling author on strategy, has created a quick quiz to test your vital skills. Are you up for the challenge? (Answers are below—no peeking!)

How Are Your Strategic Skills?

  1. At the heart of the business strategy is:
    1. The intelligent allocation of limited resources.
    2. Distributing resources across all potential growth opportunities.
    3. Working to be better and faster than the competition.
  2. Successful business strategy is about:
    1. Being better than the competition.
    2. Having the “right people on the bus.”
    3. Providing differentiated value to customers.
  3. The three disciplines of strategy are:
    1. People, strategy, and process.
    2. Customer focus, service, and product leadership.
    3. Acumen, allocation, and action.
  4. An objective is:
    1. The current purpose of the organization.
    2. The general outcome you’re trying to achieve.
    3. The specific outcome you’re trying to achieve.
  5. A goal is:
    1. The specific outcome you’re trying to achieve.
    2. The future purpose of the organization.
    3. The general outcome you’re trying to achieve.
  6. Goals and objectives represent:
    1. How you will achieve your mission and vision.
    2. What you are trying to achieve.
    3. The tactical means of achieving business success.
  7. Strategy and tactics represent:
    1. How you will achieve your goals and objectives.
    2. Long and short-term goals.
    3. A balanced scorecard indicating business performance.
  8. Strategic thinking can be defined as:
    1. The annual process for creating a strategic plan.
    2. The ability to generate business insights continually.
    3. Using SWOT Analysis to identify opportunities and threats.
  9. An effective strategy depends as much on:
    1. Tactics as it does goals and objectives.
    2. The economy as it does on your core competencies.
    3. What you choose not to do as it does on what you choose to do.
  10. Good strategy requires managers to:
    1. Not be all things to all people.
    2. Serve as many customers as possible.
    3. Develop an exit strategy for the business.

So, how did you do? (Answers at the end)

Ready to Achieve More?

Being strategic involves consequences. It means achieving what you’ve never achieved before. It involves careful planning, foresight, and a deep understanding of your goals and resources. And it most often involves giving something up to obtain something better.

Take these insights to heart and transform how you approach your business strategy. By doing so, you can identify new opportunities, mitigate risks, and ensure sustainable growth for your organization. 

(Answers: 1A – 2C – 3C – 4B – 5A – 6B – 7A – 8B – 9C – 10A)

Navigating the Distinct Challenges of Women in Business

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
female entrepreneur

Are you one of the visionary women determined to reshape the business landscape and create a powerful legacy? You are not alone!

According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Businesses Report, the growth and economic impact of women-owned businesses from 2019 to 2023 is startling.

Women-owned businesses are growing at a rate nearly double that of men-owned businesses, with a 94.3% increase in the number of firms, a 252.8% increase in employment, and an 82% rise in revenue during this period.

These businesses generate $2.7 trillion in revenue and employ 12.2 million people. (Yah, us!)

Nearly 500,000 women-owned businesses in the $250,000 to $999,999 revenue range (aka The Messy Middle) saw their collective revenues grow by approximately 30%, indicating a significant push towards scaling up (our specialty, BTW).

These stats highlight the resilience and significant contributions of female entrepreneurs.

women in business

Women in Business Face Unique Challenges

Although the outlook is sunny and bright, entrepreneurship for women comes with a unique set of challenges. And, it underscores the ongoing need for targeted support to help women entrepreneurs continue to grow.

1. Access to Funding

Women often find it more difficult to secure funding compared to men. Despite their innovative ideas and strong business models, female entrepreneurs tend to receive less venture capital and loans. This discrepancy can hinder growth and expansion, making it crucial for women to explore alternative funding options.

2. Balancing Work and Personal Life

Juggling the demands of running a business while maintaining personal responsibilities is another significant challenge. Many women who feel the pressure to excel in both arenas are often burnt out and stressed. Finding a balance is essential for long-term success and well-being. The question remains — how can this be achieved?

3. Navigating Gender Bias

Gender bias in the professional world persists — even today. A female business owner’s ability to work long and hard to deliver results for their clients is rarely an issue, and yet…they often encounter skepticism and doubt regarding their capabilities. A network of allies and mentors can counteract this bias, offering invaluable support. Even just knowing “you’re not alone” can make a significant difference.

4. Limited Strategic Support

Many women in business, especially those in the professional service sector with teams of 2-5 people, struggle with a lack of strategic support. This gap can stifle growth and innovation, making seeking qualified resources for guidance and mentorship imperative.

Effective Strategies for Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey

Recognizing and addressing these challenges head-on can help you grow your business. Concentrating on actions like those listed below can support achievement on your terms.

1. Prioritize Your Needs

Your business will only thrive if you do. Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Whether it’s through regular exercise, mindfulness practices, simply taking time for yourself, or all of the above, ensure you’re recharging your batteries.

2. Leverage Your Network

Surround yourself with a robust network of mentors, peers, and advisors. Networking opens doors to funding opportunities, partnerships, and invaluable advice. Don’t shy away from reaching out to other successful women — especially those who have been where you are and can offer insights to help you overcome challenges.

3. Seek Funding Alternatives

Explore different funding avenues such as angel investors, crowdfunding, and grants specifically aimed at supporting women in business. Platforms like iFundWomen and Female Founders Fund are excellent starting points. And, if required, don’t let fear of investing in yourself and your idea get in your way.

4. Invest in Professional Development

Continuous learning is vital, especially from those who have blazed the trail before you. Stay up-to-date on industry trends and nuances in business. Additionally, consider joining programs like The Mastermind for the Messy Middle, which offers tailored strategic support for women in business.

5. Build a Culture of Performance

Wanted: exceptional talent only! Foster a work environment that attracts other performers, like yourself, who want to grow with an organization. This not only boosts morale but also drives innovation and productivity. As the saying goes, “Like attracts like.”

Women in Business: Tomorrow’s Trailblazers

The road to success in the business world is rarely smooth. For women in business, it can often feel like an uphill battle. According to recent statistics, only a small percentage of women-led businesses reach the revenue milestones their male counterparts often achieve. Yet, women entrepreneurs are making daily strides, proving they have the grit and determination to succeed.

Your success story is just beginning.

Ready to take the next step? Apply today for The Mastermind for the Messy Middle and unlock your business’s full potential.

 

Unlock Business Growth Through Annual Strategic Planning

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
Business Growth

Business Growth Ask any entrepreneur about their annual business planning, and you’ll likely see an eye roll. It’s a task most of us would rather avoid, yet it is one of the most critical steps in setting the stage for your business growth in the coming year.

Although it may seem a bit premature to plan for 2025, it’s actually the perfect time to start laying the groundwork to ensure the year doesn’t slip away again. By establishing a clear direction now, you can avoid the last-minute scramble and undue stress that often accompanies spontaneous planning.

Let’s all agree that planning on the fly is much too stressful. Taking the time to strategize now will pave the way for a smoother and more successful year.

A Big Deal Vs. a Big Ordeal

Whatever you do, avoid making it a big ordeal. When a task feels daunting, it’s easy to procrastinate. This often happens when we overthink or exaggerate the complexity of the task at hand. And we all know what happens when we delay action—missed opportunities, hindered growth, and increased stress. By breaking tasks down into smaller, manageable steps, we can tackle them more effectively and maintain steady progress toward our goals.

Here is a simple step-by-step plan you can implement now to ensure your end-of-year assessment and planning is a big deal, not a big ordeal:

Step 1: Set Your Intention

Just like getting ready for a Thanksgiving trip to Grandma’s provides a clear framework, setting a well-defined objective empowers you to achieve your desired outcome. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish with your planning session.

Step 2: Schedule Planning Time and Location

Talking about planning doesn’t get it done. Blocking time on your calendar increases the likelihood of it happening—especially if you treat it with the same respect as any important meeting. For an uninterrupted, undisturbed experience, consider finding a quiet place like a nice Airbnb away from the office — and include your business strategist.

Step 3: Pack Your Bags

With your intention set, gather all the necessary information you need for your assessment and planning time. This could include financial reports detailing revenue and expenses, customer feedback providing insights into satisfaction and areas for improvement, a market analysis of industry trends and competitor activities, and more.

Step 4: Dig In

This part can be easier said than done, yet it’s not impossible. Don’t let procrastination or indecision slow you down or stop you from doing your best work and playing a bigger game. Stay organized and focused, plan out your tasks carefully, and set clear goals to keep you on track. A structured approach and dedication help you overcome challenges and achieve your objectives.

Final Points to Consider

  • Stay Objective: Remain as objective as possible during the assessment phase to ensure you’re evaluating your business results accurately
  • Plan Flexibly: Avoid too much detailed planning for the third and fourth quarters of the year. Business evolves quickly, and you want to remain agile.

Although you may have to pinch your nose to get through your business appraisal, your ability to think clearly and act boldly in the new year makes it worthwhile.

Ready to Grow: Key Takeaways

Planning for the future, especially in the messy middle of business growth, is crucial for setting the stage for success. By taking the time to assess and plan, you protect your time and ensure a strategic approach to the year ahead.

___

Ready to transform your business planning into a powerful tool for growth? Book a call with our expert Business Strategist today, and we’ll help you refine your strategy and prepare for the next level of your business.

How Strategic Thinking Shapes Small Business Success…And Saves Money

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
strategic thinking for business growth

What do wise entrepreneurs do when their business growth begins to slow? Most either work harder or throw money at the perceived problem—or both! Neither of these options is advisable—or desirable—until you apply some strategic thinking to your business strategy and operations.

strategic thinking for business growth

Consider a recent strategic conversation with “Katherine” (not her real name for the sake of confidentiality), which perfectly illustrates how strategic thinking can shape business success. Katherine had already invested a lion’s share of time and money into her growth initiative. As results failed to materialize, her initial frustration turned to irritation. Finally, in total exasperation, she decided to move forward with a project requiring a substantial investment of resources in the hope that it would be “the thing” that fueled her small business growth.

Her situation sounds only too familiar, doesn’t it? As entrepreneurs, we’ve all experienced the same frustration when results fail to materialize despite our best efforts.

What Strategic Thinking Can Do For You

Before proceeding with her plan, we decided to put strategic thinking to the test. We examined her performance metrics to glean whatever insight was available. For many small business entrepreneurs, looking at performance metrics is like partaking in a Rorschach test. We know it’s supposed to mean something, but it all looks like a bunch of undefined, incoherent inkblots.

What we discovered—in a word—was hopeful!

Using our best investigative skills, we poked, prodded, and analyzed her performance metrics. We compared them to industry benchmarks. We aligned them with her growth goals and business strategy.

Ultimately, our strategic thinking skills cracked her performance metrics wide open. We identified a set of actions Katherine could take immediately to boost her business growth —before making another substantial investment.

Isn’t that exciting? Time will tell how Katherine’s actions will ultimately shape the trajectory of her business growth. Until then, she won’t have to grow her business in the dark with fingers crossed, hoping for success. She now has strategic actions to guide her.

The Power of Strategic Thinking

This experience underscores the transformative power of strategic thinking. You can uncover insights that save time and money by taking a step back, analyzing available data, and aligning actions with strategy and goals. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

So, how willing are you to apply strategic thinking, knowing it could shape your business success and save you time and treasure? Strategic thinking involves assessing your goals, understanding the market, and planning the most effective ways to achieve your objectives, using data to guide your decision-making.

Doing so allows you to navigate challenges more effectively and capitalize on opportunities. Remember, strategic thinking is the way forward if you’re ready to see tangible results and elevate your business to the next level.

Take the First Step Today

Strategic thinking isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a crucial tool for navigating the complexities of running a small business. By adopting a strategic mindset, you give yourself a roadmap to success.

Are you ready to transform your business with strategic thinking? The time to start is now.

If forming meaningful, growth-driven partnerships sounds like the next step for your business, we’re here to help. Contact us to explore how we can support your efforts.

Strategic Alliances: The Catalyst for Business Growth

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
Business Growth Strategic Alliances

In today’s dynamic business landscape, the trajectory of business growth is rarely a straight line. It’s also not about going solo to cut through the competition; it’s about creating mutually beneficial partnerships that fuel forward movement.

Yes, we’re talking about strategic alliances, a proven avenue for enhancing business growth. They are especially crucial for small businesses aiming to accelerate their growth.

How can you guarantee these alliances are two-way streets benefiting both parties? It begins with introspection and a strategic mindset.

Understanding Your “Why” for Forming Strategic Partnerships

Business Growth Strategic Alliances

Before leaping into forming alliances, let’s dig deep and find answers to some fundamental questions for you:

  • What do we aim to achieve through this alliance?
  • How will this partnership contribute to our overarching goals?
  • What unique strengths do we bring to the table?
  • How does this alliance align with our business strategy?

Clarity ensures that you’re not forming alliances solely for collaboration but with a clear purpose that aligns with your business strategy.

Choosing the Right Partner for Business Growth

The quest for the perfect alliance partner is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. To avoid jumping in with both feet only to suffer regret later, exercise a bit of diligence, foresight, and an understanding of what you want out of a partnership to make sure you align with the right partner.

Here are a few questions to consider:

  • Who caters to the same market as we do without being a direct competitor?
  • What companies offer complementary products or services?
  • Who shares a similar vision and core values as our business?
  • Who has shown a genuine interest in collaborating with us?
  • What potential partners match our standards, work ethic, and commitment to excellence?

A bonus question might be, “Who would be fun to work with?”

Crafting a Win-Win Scenario

Once you find the right potential partner, the next step is to build a foundation that ensures mutual benefits before you dive in.

How do you achieve this? The key lies in clear and honest communication and shared goals.

Your discussion might include the following:

  • What is the shared vision and objective of the alliance?
  • What are realistic performance targets?
  • What are the roles, responsibilities, behavioral norms, or expectations you may have of the other?
  • What is the agreed-upon approach to problem-solving and decision-making?
  • What would be the schedule for regular meetings to ensure alignment and information sharing?
  • What is the conflict resolution strategy that respects both parties’ interests should a situation arise?

While these questions might seem excessive, it makes sense to prepare in advance for future inevitabilities. Ignoring potential conflicts until they escalate is a surefire way to undermine a productive partnership.

Strategic alliances are not short-term fixes but long-term partnerships that drive growth, innovation, and market expansion.

The Path Forward to Accelerated Growth

Fostering successful strategic alliances is both an art and a science. Achieving collaborative success requires a blend of strategic planning, mutual understanding, and the right mindset. Remember, the key is to create a synergistic relationship where both parties can achieve more together than individually.

If forming meaningful, growth-driven partnerships sounds like the next step for your business, we’re here to help. Contact us to explore how we can support your efforts.

 

Strategic Business Growth: Putting “Social” Back in Social Media

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
business growth through social media

Understanding the vast extent of social media’s penetration into our daily existence is truly astounding. It seems not that long ago, we were fully engaged in face-to-face interactions, sharing thoughts and laughter in person. We took the time to write letters, carefully choosing our words, sealing them with a stamp, and sending them off with a sense of anticipation for a reply. We were also tethered to phones fixed to our walls, waiting for that ring that connected us to someone far away. (Yikes! I’m showing my age.)

The rapid transition to digital communication highlights not just technological advancement but also a shift in how we connect with others.

As we’ve traveled through time, the tactics employed in social media have evolved dramatically. Remember the trend of sharing your meal photos on Twitter? It was all the rage until suddenly, it wasn’t. Additionally, we discovered countless applications for social media, extending far beyond our initial imagination—reigniting old connections, sharing news of global events, and bridging the gap between consumers and the services they seek. Most of the applications have been and continue to be astonishingly beneficial; some have proven to produce dreadful outcomes. 

business growth through social media

The benefits social media has introduced are undeniable. However, it seems as though businesses began to lean a little too heavily into their success, transitioning from authentic, human interactions to a more automated engagement relying on minimal effort rather than a genuine attempt to build trust and a true relationship.

When considering today’s digital interactions, engaging with an automated system can feel significantly less personal, like chatting with a robot. And, the missing piece of personal interaction diminishes the effectiveness of communication, making it harder to form meaningful relationships.

Automation within social media certainly plays a critical role. It simplifies and streamlines tasks, particularly for small business owners lacking a social media team or a tech-savvy individual to manage their content consistently.

If You Build It, Will Business Growth Follow?

Sadly, this isn’t quite the reality. Many small business owners have learned this the hard way, starting a business page on Facebook or IG expecting an immediate influx of followers and customers. Merely promoting your services won’t suffice. “Social” media is meant to foster social interactions, making engagement crucial.

Engaging in meaningful conversations and directing your communication toward your audience is the key to driving website traffic, generating leads, securing clients, or boosting sales.

Social media serves as a tool to facilitate dialogue and interaction, aiming to build and nourish relationships rather than replace them. Hence, the essence of leveraging social media effectively is to engage with your audience.

Share content that sparks conversation, respond to comments, ask questions, and participate in discussions. Show genuine interest in your followers’ lives and interests. This approach builds a community around your brand or profile, leading to stronger, more meaningful connections.

View social media not merely as a channel for broadcasting but as a vibrant, interactive space where real conversations unfold. Engage authentically with others, and you’ll experience firsthand the transformative power of social media in fostering lasting relationships.

The Value of Community for Emerging and Growing Entrepreneurs

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
community for entrepreneurs

There’s something a foot in the entrepreneurial space … And some small business owners are spilling the beans on how they really feel about their business.

There’s something afoot in the entrepreneurial space, and some small business owners are spilling the beans on how they really feel about their business.

What started out as fun has turned into a nightmare. They are overwhelmed, burnt out, and exhausted. Endless hours with stress as a constant companion affords little time for home-cooked sit-down meals with family, exercise, or thinking in any strategic capacity about the direction of their business.

They silently wonder how much longer they can work at this fevered pace. They’re beginning to feel trapped and can’t quit because of all they’ve invested. They no longer own their business – their business owns them – and they want a “Get out of Jail Free” card.

The complexity of business is accelerating – along with the escalation of isolation. Even Google is turning a cold shoulder. Like a Magic 8 ball, it gave us the answers to all our questions. Now? Vast amounts of time are lost digging through pages of information. Instead of clarity, they deliver chaos. What gives?

The Disappearing Communities for Entrepreneurs

When my Dad opened his farm repair shop in a small, dusty town in North Dakota, he would visit his community banker at the local greasy spoon. Along with other owners of mom-and-pop establishments, they gathered over a cup of burnt coffee to discuss their situations and find answers to their most perplexing questions about growing their businesses.

When social media platforms emerged, communities sprung up in the form of groups. They became the go-to place to seek answers to our questions. That was until groups, overrun with promotional content, quickly became where conversations began to die.

How are we expected to grow a business in a vacuum? The truth is, we can’t!

The Dyson Effect

Minus MBAs and entrepreneurial degrees, we’re all just making this up as we go along. Granted, we have the likes of Bill Gates, Neil Patel, Arianna Huffington, Tim Ferris, and that guy over at Virgin.

We devour their words of wisdom, combing them like precious pearls to find the perfect treasure for our situation. We imitate their success—with little luck.

Why? We’re not them.

We don’t have gargantuan teams to execute our strategic initiative, deep-pocketed venture capitalists to experiment unencumbered by cash flow, or access to the best and brightest talent in search of big paydays and plush benefits. Lucky us!

What we lack resources, we make up for in passion, drive, and determination. We are a relentless group of renegades, rebels, and misfits who desire to carve out a lifestyle for ourselves and our families while delivering innovative services with a personal touch and attention to detail not found at the big behemoths.

The Cure for the Sucking Sound of Isolation & Business Stagnation

We need a hook-up, not in the dating sense, but rather in the form of valuable connections. We need to hook up with guidance, wisdom, and counsel custom-made for the size of our business.

We need community.

We need a place to build relationships with like-minded business owners who share interests and a common set of circumstances. We need a place where questions are answered, conversations are sparked, and relevant connections occur without the distraction and interruption presented by most social media platforms. We need a place to work smarter and grow faster.

We have a lot to do, and doing it together—learning from each other, sharing stories, and getting answers to questions even Google can’t provide—creates greater value for everyone invested in the community.

All Posts

Core Business Assessment

Download

Testimonial

Brooke Billingsley

Vice President
Perception Strategies

Synnovatia is a strategic coaching firm that is detailed and knowledgeable about business. i have a small business that grew from $150K to $750K because of the goal setting and resources that Synnovatia provided. It saves me years of learning on my own.

Search The Blog