3 things leaders in big corporates won’t tell you – even if they are true.

It’s time for small and medium sized business owners to start thinking like big business
leaders. You are a leader. While you may look on at big corporates with envy, with their
enormous budgets, numerous resources, significant equity and market share, unparalleled
access, and magnificent footprint, you as a smaller business leader have benefits that are
unique and can be turned into advantages in your industry and market.

Here is what big corporate leaders really think:
1. They envy your flexibility and agility to easily switch up and focus on new
opportunities as they arise
2. They envy your rapid decision-making ability linked to your ownership structure and
driving your accountability
3. Growth is hard for them too

So, think like a big business.
Structure your business like it is a big business, even if you’re operating out of your tiny,
rented premises and wondering how to make ends meet.

How can you do this?
Strategic Planning that drives your Structure that is populated by amazing teams of People.
Let’s have a brief look at these 3 elements:

Strategic Planning
You may think that you don’t need a strategic plan, but to (mis)quote a famous mind: if you
don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?

Having a strategic plan will help you focus and differentiate your growing business and it
doesn’t have to be a complicated process … after all as the business owner, you already
know why you got into this this and what you want to do, but documenting these things will
allow you to plan your growth more effectively and measure your progress.

Not sure where to start? Take a look at our Strategy Checklist and free downloadable
template.

Structure
Now that you have documented where you are going and why, you can set up your business
in the most effective way to achieve your goals. This relates to people, processes, and
technologies.

While your structure may be small right now, you can do a “future-back” exercise to
determine your path to supporting the growth you are chasing.

This doesn’t need to be cast in stone; you can change this when new opportunities arise. So
you can maintain your entrepreneurial spirit in embracing change and the opportunities
that will come your way when changes happen in your environment, industry or market.

People
Again, a no-brainer here: hiring the right people can make or break your business. But if you
know where you are going and how you plan on getting there, you will know the type of
people you are looking for.

You should focus on technical ability in the beginning phase of your business, however, be
mindful that as you grow you will need people who are capable of and willing to grow with
you. Attitude will become more important than technical skills as you grow – remember,
you can always teach detailed technical skills if you need you, you can’t teach people how to
have a positive attitude.

Go ahead – start thinking and acting like a BIG business owner today.