Start. Stop. Continue: A Proven Business Growth Strategy for Small Firms
With the year in full swing, it’s the perfect time to take a fresh look at how your firm operates. If you’re eager to make changes but aren’t sure where to begin, the “Start. Stop. Continue” framework is here to help. By answering three simple questions, you can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and pave the way for business growth.
What Tasks Should I Stop Doing to Boost Business Growth?
Identify tasks that don’t add value to your clients or contribute to your business goals. These are often the activities that drain your time without delivering results. They may also be tasks you’re not skilled at and could be outsourced to free up your energy for strategic work.
Examples of tasks to stop:
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Manual bookkeeping if it’s consuming hours and can be automated.
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Handling payroll without expertise, which can lead to costly mistakes.
Tip: Ask yourself, “If I stopped doing X, what could I focus on instead that would drive my business forward?”
Essential Strategies to Start for Business Success
Consider new initiatives or improvements that could benefit your firm. Launching a new service, implementing tools to enhance customer relationships, or refining existing processes can make a significant difference.
Examples of strategies to start:
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Implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) system to streamline communication.
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Offering a monthly accounting service to create recurring revenue streams.
Tip: Many businesses lack systems to effectively track and engage with customers. A CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce can help you build stronger, lasting relationships.
Key Practices to Continue for Sustainable Growth
Reflect on the past year to identify what’s been working well. These are the practices, services, or systems that set you apart from competitors and drive success.
Examples of what to continue:
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Providing proactive tax planning to save your clients money.
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Hosting monthly strategy sessions to align your team with business goals.
Tip: Growth takes time and effort. Recognize and build on what’s working rather than focusing solely on areas for improvement.
Putting It All Together
By working through these questions, you’ll uncover smart strategies to boost your firm’s growth. Remember to set specific goals and action steps based on your answers to stay on track and measure progress.
If you found this advice helpful and want more personalized guidance on how to grow your business, contact us for a free consultation. Let’s make this year your best one yet!
Joy Lutz, CPA, CTP
I help our client’s keep more money in their pockets by implementing proactive tax strategies.
I promise you, working with a CPA and Certified Tax Planner can be much more exciting than crunching numbers and reviewing last year’s taxes.