By

Jenny Dikranian

Content Writer, My Business

One thing that’s for sure in business, you can expect to be challenged by stop signs, roadblocks and detours. Taking the road to success means you need to stay ahead of the curve. So, what can you do to get ready for the journey?

Thought starters

Quite simply, thought starters can be questions, considerations or ideas which aim to challenge the way you think. They can allow you to look at things in new, at times innovative, ways and inspire you to take a different approach. It can challenge you to kick old habits – if tasks have been done a certain way for a long time, it may be time for change.

Thought starters can be used at every stage of strategic planning: help you craft mission and vision statements, translate goals into steps or make a brand promise. Whether a new competitor is on the horizon or it’s time to transform your operation to the 21st-century, thought starters allow you to improve, change direction, shape and future-proof your business.

Explore thought starters for your business 

Your customers. When did you last evaluate your customer experience? Is the journey seamless or are they in for a bumpy ride? It may be time to get out of the back seat. Conduct market research – a great way to get in front of the customer journey experience.

Your staff. Knowledge is power. Your staff may have a specialty you don’t know about. Perhaps they have a certification or qualification, belong to an industry association, or worked on a project with key insights to share. Tap into their intel, map it out and empower your staff.

Your brand. Look at your brand and the promise you make. Are you delivering? Is it time to refresh? A strong brand not only gets noticed but is remembered.

Your technology. There’s no escaping digital disruption, AI or automation. If you haven’t already changed gears, it’s time to embrace technology and move forward. Consider the systems you use:  

  • can they be used on the go – mobile-friendly
  • are they integrated – consolidate your applications
  • where is your data stored – cloud technology
  • how effective are they in blocking cyber threats? 

There may be a lot to consider to get up to speed, but your investment will pay off in many ways in the long run.

Your competitors. Even if your business is running smoothly, you can never afford to be complacent. Competition can ramp up at any time. Discover ways you can get ahead with new products, services or features. Consider your unique selling proposition (USP), company vision and mission.

Your success. Look at ways to celebrate your success with customers and the team. Acknowledge business milestones: gain customer trust and retain loyalty. Recognise employee achievements: motivate staff to contribute to successful outcomes. 

Thought starters are an exciting way to map out the running of your business. Invite your team to contribute and see where it takes your business. 

Jenny Dikranian

Content Writer, My Business

Jenny Dikranian is a content writer passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation in inspiring business success.