FORBES. by Jessica Scanlon, Forbes Councils Member
The International Monetary Fund stated in March 2021 that it anticipates 6% economic growth in 2021, an increase from previous forecasts. As vaccinations roll out along with stimulus from federal to local governments, consumers and businesses are starting to ramp up activity.
It’s time for small businesses to take a cue from enterprise and start making moves to prepare for growth and success over the next 12 months. Here are four suggestions to consider doing right now.
1. Talk to your customers.
It’s time to figure out how to market your business in the new era. Your consumers will behave differently as we come out of the Covid-19 pandemic. There may be a new sense of urgency, or buying cycles may be slower because of lingering uncertainty. Your customers or clients may be expecting a different level of experience after operating mainly digitally for the last 12 months.
What do you need to do to up your game to meet their needs?
If you are not already involved in online or in-person networking groups where your ideal customers hang out, then find some opportunities to have more casual conversations with people who are like your ideal customer. Find out what they’re excited about, what they’re worried about and what’s important to them right now. Take a moment to call on customers and clients and find out the same; ask them specifically what they’d like to see from your business in the coming year.
Your path to growth and navigating the unknown will rely on your ability to have customer conversations.
