strategic business growth firm
Linkedin-in
310.519.1947

Bite-Size Chunks of Wisdom

Growth & Scaling

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.

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.

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.

 

Eliminate Energy Drains for Better Business Growth

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
achieve business growth by ridding self of tolerations

Thomas Leonard, an innovator in the coaching realm, introduced a concept that shook the foundations of productivity: tolerations. Imagine a whopping 80% of your energy potentially squandered on these pesky distractions. For an entrepreneur like yourself, that energy could be better invested in scaling your business’s growth.

Picture tolerations as grains of sand grinding away at the gears of your entrepreneurial engine. Tiny? Yes. But detrimental nonetheless. These vexations dull your zest, obscure your vision, and confuse your priorities. And you deserve better.

achieve business growth by ridding self of tolerations

Encountering Tolerations Everywhere: A Common Experience

Tolerations lurk everywhere. At home, a peeling paint job or a window chipped during a lively childhood game might catch your eye and nag at you. At work, cluttered desks and disorganized files might be your silent adversaries. Tolerations manifest as the clutter in your car or the unhealthy eating habits formed in the race against time.

In business, tolerations often arise in the form of missed timelines, unrelenting stress, subpar performance from others, and encountering demanding clients who may not align with the core values or offerings of our enterprise

Certainly, we are surrounded by tolerations, but what compels us to persist in tolerating them? The desire to transform ineffective energy utilization into something more powerful — business growth.

Energize Your Business Growth: Fuel Your Expansion  

Bidding adieu to the seemingly trivial yet persistent nuisances cultivates joy and propels business success to new heights. It’s a liberation that lets us focus our energy and resources on strategic initiatives, fueling growth and fostering a more resilient organization.

We create space for creativity, innovation, and enhanced productivity by liberating ourselves from the burdensome weight of minor frustrations.

  1. Heighten Awareness: Pay attention. Observe yourself. What gets under your skin? Raise your antennae. But don’t be too astonished by the magnitude of energy you’ve poured into these tolerations.
  2. List Them Out: Maintain a list over the coming days — every single pet peeve, whether large or small.
  3. Gauge the Costs: Weigh out the hard costs (like hiring a bookkeeper) against the soft costs (the energy you lose stressing over late invoices and reconciling your accounts.).
  4. Target and Eliminate: Choose the most draining toleration and axe it from your life. And don’t just cut. Dig out the roots to prevent them from sprouting again. Look for the source of the toleration!
  5. Rinse and Repeat: Tackle each toleration until your list is clear, your energy reclaimed, and your attention refocused.

Freeing yourself from these shackles not only brightens your mood but also turns you into a magnetic force of positivity. You’ll have boundless energy to inject into growing your enterprise.

Ultimately, isn’t this the very essence of entrepreneurial pursuit? With clarity on your journey towards exhilarating business expansion, the decisive step forward awaits.

Join our community of driven entrepreneurs today for inspiration, support, and guidance to skyrocket your success. Because together, we transform challenges into victories and tolerations into triumphs.

Can You Grow Your Business in an Uncertain Economy? Yes, with a Business Growth Strategist!

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
Business Growth Strategist Weathers the Storm

Economic uncertainty can feel like navigating a ship in a storm. Mixed signals, especially prevalent in an election year, contribute to a sea of confusion for small business owners and entrepreneurs. How do you set sail and plot a course for success in such choppy waters? The answer: strategic thinking, planning, and execution in partnership with a seasoned business growth strategist. During the economic downturn of 2008, entrepreneurs faced the harsh winds of change. Businesses hunkered down as a storm of recession-battered the marketplace. And yet, amidst this tempestuous backdrop, a few resilient businesses not only survived but thrived. What set them apart?

Business Growth Strategist Weathers the Storm

The Bellwether of Business Resilience

My Dad, weathered by The Great Depression, often remarked, “We need to tighten our belts.” That era demanded frugality and foresight, virtues that proved vital during the 2008 recession as well. Even as we tightened our financial belts, some businesses couldn’t keep pace with the surge. However, those that could sustain a growth rate of 20% or more? They did more than stay afloat—they navigated the storm. Fast-forward to 2013, and the murmurs of a looming economic decline began to surface. These prophecies foretold a global downtrend touching down in the United States by 2020. What wasn’t predicted was the maelstrom of COVID-19—a disruption that capsized a staggering 22% of small businesses by April 2020. Yet, a year later, a beacon of optimism shone through. An astonishing 89% of small business entrepreneurs firmly believed in their businesses’ survival. In other words, we’ve been through this before.

Navigating Business Growth Rates

During my time roaming the halls of UCLA Anderson School of Business, Professors Yvonne Randle and Eric Flamholtz shared how they navigated many through the growing pains of entrepreneurship. Here’s a glimpse of the five rates of growth they charted:

  1. Less than 15% Annually—Growth: Steady as she goes! This rate, while not meteoric, ensures you can double your business in five years without capsizing.
  2. 15–25% Annually—Rapid Growth: The winds pick up. Are you prepared for the increased effort, investment, and the challenge of thinning margins? This is the stretch where strategy makes all the difference
  3. 25–50% Annually—Very Rapid Growth: Now you’re catching gale-force winds. The demand to expand and innovate is palpable, and so are the rewards for those who can withstand the pace.
  4. 50—100% Annually—Hypergrowth: At this exhilarating speed, it’s crucial to keep a keen eye on the horizon to steer clear of any obstacles.
  5. Greater than 100% Annually—Light-speed Growth: This is not just growth; it’s a transformation. Here, agility and foresight will determine whether you soar or crash.

In this tumultuous economic ocean, which rate is yours for the taking?

Why You Need a Business Growth Strategist

You might wonder, “Is it truly possible to achieve such growth in today’s uncertain economy?” Here’s the secret: the courageous captains who weathered the roughest seas had a “strategist” by their side, ensuring they weren’t just reacting to the waves but riding them with intent. A Business Growth Strategist isn’t just a coach or consultant; they are your partner—bringing you clarity, sharpening your focus, strengthening your resilience, challenging your premises, assisting with setting strategy, and guiding you towards the desired horizons. They provide the compass, and the map, to discover profitable routes you might have missed.

 Your Call to Action

It’s time to raise the anchor and unfurl the sails. With strategic thinking, execution planning, a compass point for every decision, and a clear map of growth rates, you’re equipped to sail even the most uncertain of economic seas. Are you prepared to be the optimist who, in the face of adversity, not only survives but prospers? If your answer is a resounding “Yes,” then it’s time to join forces with a Strategist who can steer your course to safe harbor and beyond.

Take the helm. Be the beacon. Grow boldly, grow strategically. Grow sustainably.

Don’t weather this storm alone. Contact us today and discover how, together, we’ll chart a course for success that keeps your business thriving, no matter the economic forecast.

Entrepreneur Recharge: Combat Fatigue & Drive Business Growth

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
Business Growth Strategy Fatigue

As an entrepreneur, have you ever felt the creeping sense of overload inching its way into your mind and body? You’re not alone. Entrepreneur Fatigue is the silent killer of productivity and business growth. But how do you battle this unseen adversary and reclaim the vigor needed to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams?

The High Stakes of Ignoring Fatigue

Imagine steering a ship through a storm with bleary eyes — that’s what managing a business exhausted feels like. Think about it; when was the last time running on fumes led you to your finest hour? The answer, I wager, would be never.

The crushing weight of fatigue doesn’t just dent your well-being; it cascades down to every facet of your business and personal life. Can you identify the telltale signs?

  • The irritability that snaps at a team member’s innocent question.
  • That mental fog when focus is imperative.
  • The clutter drowning your workspace… and your thoughts.
  • A simple distraction pulls you off course.
  • The lapse in memory when every detail counts.

Sound familiar?

These symptoms aren’t just inconvenient; they can be dire to your business growth. Missing a crucial deadline or alienating a valuable client can have serious repercussions. After all, in the fast-paced business world, one misstep can mean the difference between closing a deal and closing your doors.

Business Growth Strategy Fatigue

The True Cost of ‘Business as Usual’

With fatigue, ‘business as usual’ is anything but profitable. It’s that insidious force that gives rise to stalled business growth and rash decisions. And while the hustle culture applauds those who burn the candle at both ends, we must ask ourselves: At what cost?

Breaking the Cycle 

So, how do we dismantle this vicious cycle? How do we restore the balance not only in our businesses but in ourselves?

The simple prescription is this: Rest. Recharge. Refocus. Let’s explore these three R’s that can revolutionize your approach to entrepreneurial vitality:

Rest: The Foundation of Performance

It’s not about how many hours you put in but about the quality of those hours. Working smarter isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s a survival tactic. Could a short nap be the power-up you need to tackle the next challenge? It’s time to ditch the stigma around a midday pause.

Recharge: Cultivate Sustainable Energy

Consider it: when did you last take a day for yourself? Shift gears and take that vacation without a smidgen of guilt. Your business is shaped by the creativity and clarity that only come from a well-rested mind, not just hard work.

Refocus: Prioritize with Precision

Are you tackling tasks that align with your ultimate goals? Every action should be a stepping stone toward success. By eliminating the excess, by honing in on what truly matters, you not only mitigate fatigue but accelerate growth.

A Call to Action for the Weary Entrepreneur

This isn’t just a plea; it’s a rallying cry for sustainability in our business and personal lives. It’s time to forge a new path where well-being and success go hand in hand.

So ask yourself — are you ready to defeat Entrepreneurial Fatigue and step into a future where your health and your business thrive together?

The next time you’re too tired to pole-vault over a chalk mark, take two of these — Sneak in a nap. Grab a day off.  Seize a long walk. Carve out a break — and call us in the morning! 

How to Grow Your Business with Precision and Priority

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
grow your business with precision

As an entrepreneur with an annual revenue of $350,000–$500,000, you are in a great position to grow your business more quickly. Numerous opportunities await you. However, growth at this level requires precision and priority. The challenge is often about selecting the best opportunity to leverage for growth, which requires clarity, focus, and strategies to generate the most impact on your business. 

During the early days of your startup, it might have been easier, albeit chaotic and stressful, to venture down multiple paths. However, as your enterprise expands, it becomes more complex and uncertain. This marks the point where the real work of growing your business truly begins.

A change in mindset is beneficial to reduce the overwhelming chaos and stress and experience continuous growth with ease and grace. The actions that brought you to your current position are not necessarily the same ones that will continue to propel you forward. 

grow your business with precision

Photo by LUM3N on Unsplash

Strategize With the End in Mind

Since you’re moving forward, why not have some clarity about the destination you intend to reach? It makes choosing the correct route much more apparent. 

Consider your personal objectives since your business is often a tool for achieving them. Business, by itself, is not the complete end game.  End game options may look like selling the business for $X, retiring at the age of 45 with an annual income of $X, working fewer hours, traveling the world while you still can, owning an ocean and a mountain home, or being more available for those little people in your orbit. Whatever you choose is yours to hold and shape your business direction and decisions. 

What happens if you’re not clear on the end game? Fret not. Go as far as you can see, and when you get there, you’ll be able to see further. 

Plus, don’t waste time on detailed long-term planning. For now, you want a framework for your end game. With the rapid pace of change in business, keep more detailed planning to one year with a moderate amount of framework for years 1–5. 

Know Your Numbers 

Gut intuition and hunches are powerful tools, although most strategists would pooh-pooh the idea (Me? I’m not like most strategists.) Even so, it’s beneficial to have the best of our gut feelings backed up by solid data. 

Data guides our decision-making. It doesn’t lie. It always speaks truth to power even when you don’t like what it’s telling you. And, when you base your decisions on data rather than what you read on Linkedin as a solution, you’ll never go wrong.  

When I was in sales, I optimistically shared my goals with a trusted friend, which she immediately pooh-poohed. She wasn’t wrong. The notion of what I intended to accomplish was a bit “pie in the sky”—until I began to look at the numbers. I used data to guide my decisions. Within nine months of that honest interchange, I achieved what I intended. Numbers matter. 

What data does one collect? That’s an excellent question. With technological advancements, one can drown in data, so selecting the critical numbers is essential. These metrics could include revenue, profit margin, realization rate, customer acquisition costs, social media impressions, website visitors, or something entirely different. 

Again, your business and its destination are unique to you. The data or metrics you track should be as well. 

Hire Top Talent

Oh, this is a big one. Often, as small business entrepreneurs, our budgets are limited. Consequently, we look for the best talent we can hire for our budget. That makes complete sense unless you want to grow your business more quickly and with greater precision. Hiring top talent is a priority. 

One of my clients recently learned that valuable lesson when hiring a “junior” technician due to budget concerns. After months and months of training, the employee was still struggling to keep up. This was followed by more training and further coaching, adding extra costs. 

All of this additional time and the subsequent cost to “train up” a lesser qualified or experienced individual really adds up—especially when it’s your time as the owner. 

This wasn’t the end of the story, however. The employee ultimately made critical mistakes, resulting in client loss. It happens, right? Even though the disciplinary action didn’t result in termination, the employee stopped showing up for work. Egads! 

It was an incredible learning experience. Although the idea of training up talent is enticing, it adds unexpected costs and isn’t so budget-friendly after all. Plus, it slows down business growth. There’s a huge and hidden cost involved in hiring lesser talent. 

My advice (and that of many of my clients in the Messy Middle) is to stretch yourself and hire the best you can. 

Focus on High-Impact, High-Value Tasks

One of the most common missteps we often fall victim to is the tendency to take on every task ourselves. With the myriad responsibilities of running a business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. As the CEO, it becomes crucial to hone in on the tasks that can significantly impact your business growth and success.

When it comes to prioritizing tasks, focus on those that have the potential to generate substantial revenue, minimize costs, or enhance overall efficiency. By identifying and prioritizing these high-impact tasks, you can allocate your precious time and energy in ways that create tangible value for your business.

Additionally, it’s essential to recognize that not every task needs to be managed by you. Delegation and outsourcing can be crucial in streamlining your workload and optimizing productivity. Handing off assignments to others allows you to free up your valuable time and attention for those critical, high-impact duties that truly demand your expertise. And, when you’ve hired top talent (see above), you will spend less time managing their work. 

Achieving business growth demands a disciplined and systematic approach and an unwavering focus on priority tasks and strategies. You can confidently drive business growth by beginning with the end in mind, prioritizing high-impact tasks, investing in top talent, and implementing precise metrics. 

Sustained growth takes time and consistent, purposeful actions to deliver remarkable results.

________

Growing your business is not about doing more; it’s about doing it smarter. That’s where precision and priority—and Synnovatia—come into play. Schedule your first free consultation today.

Entrepreneurs: Balancing Uncertainty and Complexity

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
entrepreneurs, balance

 Zoom. Zoom. Zoom. OMG! I love that famously-recognized Mazda commercial circa 2000. Little did we know at the time that the little ditty would personify our lives. 

In 2009, Graeme Wood, Australian digital entrepreneur and philanthropist, wrote: “Change has never happened this fast before, and it will never be this slow again.“

Hold onto your hats! 

There are moments (many of them) when growing our business feels like careening down a steep hill with failing brakes. 

An accelerated pace of change ushers in an entire slew of complications. Who knew that a mere five years ago, we could say, for certain, our business model was set in stone? When conflicting headlines and confusing economic indicators​ are added, the future feels tentative.

What are entrepreneurs to do? 

Put on the brakes? Play it safe? Hunker down until certainty returns? Anyone who survived the 2008 economic downturn or COVID knows first-hand the impact of uncertainty. 

Admittedly, I can sometimes feel a little bit like Chicken Little running around clucking on how “the sky is falling.” Yet, I worry. (I’m German, so it’s in my DNA.) I worry especially for the small business owner who dedicates blood, sweat, and tears to growing their passion. 

entrepreneurs, balance
Photo by Laura Goodsell

The Big Exam

Complexity tests our skills to balance it all out. Do we have what it takes to adapt and transform our organizations? The real challenge is keeping pace. Staying relevant. Being competitive.

It is important to find the right balance between uncertainty and complexity, as this balance will determine our business success. 

The time is NOW—not tomorrow—to take massive action to protect, optimize, and grow into the future. 

The Entrepreneur’s Balancing Act

As you might guess, here are a few of my recommendations to get you started: 

  1. Purpose is essential. Today’s consumers want to do business with businesses of like values and purpose. Know your “why” to build trust and strengthen those relationships with your clients. Develop transparency of your core values to protect and promote your brand.
  2. Clarify your business. If someone asks what business you are in, can you quickly—and clearly—say? Business lucidity is a must. It’s a real head-scratcher to answer the question, “What business am I in?” — particularly for professional service firms. However, it’s a journey in distinctiveness that is worth the ride. 
  3. Future vision. Knowing where you’re going beyond “a building lease for three years,” guides your direction and turns you into a wise, strategic decision-maker. Since you’re the curator of your dream, be sure it’s compelling to you.
  4. Optimize business operations. Combining (wo)man and machine with integrating digital solutions increases productivity by more than 30%. This frees you and your people to focus on the most important priority—your clients. 
  5. Be bold. Be brave. You’ve got this! You’re smart and intuitive. Trust yourself—and your data—to help you take significant, courageous steps into a better tomorrow. 
  6. Invest in technology. Improve efficiencies and productivity. Leverage technology to drive consistency between what you say and what you deliver. A gap of any kind is detrimental to the future of your business. 
  7. Develop an adaptive mindset. Rather than perfect today, understand the complexity of your market to identify opportunities in your industry. Balance market trends with timely decision-making. A flexible mindset allows you to respond quickly to change so you can thrive—not merely survive. 
  8. Master strategic decision-making. It’s required in a complex ecosystem. Sharpen the “why, what, and how” of your decisions to accelerate growth.
  9. Get connected. The more we connect, the quicker we learn. Get up to speed with technologies and methodologies to meet complex challenges and form new paths to growth. Tap into your community to help monitor changing environments. Maybe join our Mastermind for the Messy Middle! A supportive environment that promotes risk-taking. 
  10. Ask questions. The better the question. The better the answer. The better your business works.
  11. Stay healthy. Building a business means working long, grueling hours and staying healthy—mentally, physically, and emotionally. 

Navigating Turbulent Terrain

I love what the Entrepreneur of the Year award winner had to say: “There’s no point in doing anything other than to look for the opportunity in the crisis.“

Apparently, 67% of entrepreneurs agree! Pursuing new market opportunities during economic uncertainty is a winning strategy.  

Navigating the balance of uncertainty and complexity as entrepreneurs is one of our greatest challenges and critical to our success. And yet, an open mind to learning, a healthy lifestyle, and focus and clarity are our best wayfinders.

_____________

Don’t let uncertainty stand in the way of achieving your dreams. Contact us today, and together we’ll create an actionable plan to ensure your business thrives!

Essential Skills Entrepreneurs Need to Know to Grow & Scale  

Posted by
Jackie Nagel, Synnovatia
entrepreneurs delegate

As ambitious boot-strapping entrepreneurs, you’re no stranger to hard work. You’ve turned over every rock to identify valuable work and avoid unnecessary tasks that keep you from bringing on employees. But despite your best efforts, you’ve hit a wall. Your personal capacity has reached its limit, and you know that to take your business to the next level, you need to expand your team.

Knowing that hiring is the next best step, why does the thought of it fill you with dread? It’s simple: you’ve built a brand based on exceptionalism that you, personally, have commandeered. The idea of trusting someone else to do the job as well as you creates a deep sense of anxiety. Even so, bringing on help is necessary for your business to grow. It’s quite the dilemma — hire, trust, and grow or keep to a small scale.

The fear of entrusting some of your work to others can hold you back. But, by continuing to work beyond what is humanly possible, you are only bottlenecking your growth and limiting your success. 

The truth is, bringing on help doesn’t have to be scary. With the right skills in place, your team is equipped to handle tasks with the same level of excellence you require.

entrepreneurs delegate Photo by Eden Constantino on Unsplash

Task Assignment for Entrepreneurs: Deciding or Delegating

When it comes to managing your team and getting the right tasks done, there are two fundamental approaches: deciding and delegating. The problem is — most entrepreneurs think they’re “delegating” when they’re really “deciding.” It’s no wonder they’re frustrated 

Deciding is when we take charge of a task and make all the decisions on how to complete it. This approach makes sense when a project requires only the entrepreneur’s specific skill set or knowledge. In such situations, you want control to ensure the task is completed correctly. 

On the other hand, delegating involves assigning tasks to team members with the necessary skills and experience to complete them. Delegating, done right, frees up your time so you can focus on more critical tasks. It also allows your team members to take ownership of their work and develop their skills. It makes them an integral part of your organization. And it’s the primary reason most entrepreneurs want to expand their teams. 

Mastering Delegation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Delegation is an impactful skill that involves assigning tasks and responsibilities to others. Done right, it free’s up your time, expands your team’s skills, and boosts overall productivity. 

To avoid the “decision trap” when you really intend to “delegate,” here is a step-by-step process:

  1. Identify the task. The first step is to identify the task that needs to be assigned. Sounds simple enough, right? Except, identification is not enough. It’s equally important to be clear about what needs to be done and why it is essential. This increases the likelihood that you reach your intended outcome. 
  2. Choose the right person. The next step is to choose the right person for the task. Consider the individual’s skills, experience, and workload before assigning the task. And, if you don’t have the right skill on your team? That’s a dilemma immediately. However, it can serve as a powerful reminder to understand and hire the skills needed to move work off your plate. 
  3. Define the task. Once the right person has been selected, communicating the details of the task clearly is essential. Explain the task’s goals, timeline, and expectations. Finally, be sure to ask if they have any questions or concerns. 
  4. Provide support. Make sure your team member has the necessary resources, tools, and support to execute the task successfully.  
  5. Set deadlines. Inform your team member of the date by which the task needs to be completed. Honestly, I love providing a timeline that is 48 hours before the actual deadline to allow enough time for anything that may go wrong. 
  6. Monitor progress. Without micromanaging (no one likes a “helicopter boss”), check in with the team member periodically to monitor progress and ensure that everything is on track.
  7. Provide feedback. When the task is completed, provide feedback on their performance and coach them through their experience. 

Finally, when delegating tasks to others, it’s essential to reward your team members’ ownership of the task. Your goal, after all,  is to shift your responsibility for decision-making to them. If a team member is being punished or made to feel they failed for wrong decisions, you merely train them to come back to you for decisions.

Keys to Fruitful Delegation: Trust & Communication

Trust and communication are essential for business success. It’s no different with delegation.  

As entrepreneurs, we must trust our team members to handle the assigned tasks and make the right decisions successfully. This trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built over time through clear communication, collaboration, and beneficial feedback. If we’re struggling to delegate, it may signal that we lack trust in our team members, which leads to micromanagement, reduced productivity, and demotivation.

Another crucial skill required for productive delegation to occur is communication. We must communicate our expectations clearly, which means that we need to be clear about our own expectations. We also want to provide guidance and support whenever needed, answering any questions or addressing any concerns without hovering.  Good communication fosters a culture of collaboration, essential for effective delegation and growth. 

In essence, deciding and delegating are two distinctive approaches to task assignment, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. Deciding can be appropriate for short-term or high-pressure situations requiring quick decisions. Delegating, on the other hand, is essential for long-term success, as it allows team members to develop their skills and take on more significant responsibilities. Effective delegation requires trust, communication, collaboration, and feedback. Being skilled in both and knowing when to use each approach to achieve the best outcomes for their team and organization is key. 

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