What does it mean to think big about your small business?

Does it mean that you have to grow in size? Do you have to build it as if it were a franchise? Or maybe you want to keep it small and lean and just focus on continuing to increase profits? What? What? What? What does it mean to you?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cindy Earl on October 30, 2008 at 10:32am

Thinking big about my small business means letting go of fear and confidently pursuing my purpose in life. We all get those gut feelings about what we should be doing with our lives (you know, that knot in your stomach when we veer off course in our life's purpose). Most people ignore those signs and limit themselves out of fear. When we ignore these signs, we deny who we are meant to be and that can only end in scarcity thinking and unhappiness. I like to try and do something a little scary each day. Then I know I am pushing myself and growing. Face the fear and do it anyway! My business is an expression of who I am and what I value in life....which happens to be helping others stand tall and stop thinking small so they can acheive their full potential.

Permalink Reply by Luann Allen on October 30, 2008 at 10:54am

For me it means coming up with an idea that seemed small, but the more I thought about it, the more I understood what powerful things I could do with it - without growing my business physically, just psychologically! It means I can do more for more people than I ever in my life thought I could. What a BIG revelation - thanks to your revolution!

Permalink Reply by Trish Lambert on October 30, 2008 at 3:45pm

First, thinking of it as a business and not a job that I own. BIG distinction between those two!

Second, thinking of it as an equity-building asset in my portfolio. When I shifted my thinking from my business as something that pays the bills today to something in which I can build real dollar value and which can be sold at some point for an amount that adds significantly to my retirement funds, it completely changed the way I viewed operations and the strategic decisions I made.

Heck, all of us are putting a lot of energy and time into our businesses...why on earth shouldn't we be thinking in terms of our businesses as assets that can be sold????

Permalink Reply by Lia Allen on October 30, 2008 at 8:48pm

For me thinking big while you are still a small business is about vision and goals. When you start small you are working in the business and on the business at the same time. The bigger you get, if you are good at creating systems and delegating effectively, you become less of a technician and more or an entrepreneur. It's all about creating systems as you go and then documenting them. It's about building teams whether its actual or virtual. It's about focus and clarity of mission and purpose. When you start to put this all together, all bets are off. The sky is the limits.

By the way, I love this site. It really causes you to think and then to share. Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Rob Thomas on October 31, 2008 at 12:37am

I can answer this as it applies to me. I think BIG in terms of the number of people I can affect a positive change in or the number of people I can help.

Permalink Reply by Mark Halpert on November 6, 2008 at 12:29pm

At 3D Learner, it means starting a Parent Revolution, so that parents are informed, empowered and proactively making the difference -- as we inform and empower parents our goal is grow both our revenue and our profits - and to allow parents to make the difference for their child

We focus on the bright-right-brained child, who learns best when they see and experience information, and the frustrated parent who wants to make the difference

Permalink Reply by Gabriele Schart on November 6, 2008 at 1:50pm

Keeping control of all aspects of the business or drawing people that can be empowered to allow/enable us to give service to more people.

Permalink Reply by Grant Waldman on November 9, 2008 at 9:18pm

Put systems in place that are easily duplicable like a franchise so that others can step in while I am searching for clues on how to improve the business. This may include: lines of business, approach to the marketplace, geo focus, industry focus, etc. I totally believe in Kanzai/CANI - Constant and Never Ending Improvement!!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Fink on November 26, 2008 at 4:08pm

Thinking big means not limiting myself or my business. I have a home based photography studio and would love to become a household name, at least in my county. That can't be impossible. I want to spread what I do to as many people as possible and I need to learn to think big to make that happen!

Permalink Reply by Ginny Hayataka on November 28, 2008 at 11:57am

Thinking big about MY small business(es) means that I expect my actions, my business results, to have BIG IMPACT on those I serve.....which will in turn have BIG IMPACT on everyone with whom they connect, and so forth. I expect my BIG THINKING about my BIG IMPACT to 'pay forward' in our world. Sometimes I feel we miss the point that every action we take, in or out of our businesses, affects the whole 'pond' and everyone in it. While I do expect to make more money, serve more people, etc. there will be a limit to the SIZE I want for my business, but hopefully there will never be a limit on the BIG IMPACT it can create/initiate. One of my businesses specifically involves Social Marketing (tm) through Shaklee Corporation; if you want to see BIG THINKING, listen to Roger Barnett CEO ......and then contact me to join: http://www.shaklee.net/ginnyhayataka_turningleaf/vivix
Ginny Hayataka
ghayatak@hotmail.com

Permalink Reply by Annie B Lawrence on December 12, 2008 at 2:38am

Thinking big for my business means to keep offering more services to my retreat guests and expanding my outreach to them once they return home. It means offering support and expanding my network of partnerships. Joint venturing is a new area that I am looking into to expand what I have to offer. Another area that I have found valuable in expanding my retreats is blogs and social network sites just like this one. Our network of support and joint ventures can be world wide no matter what size our business is.

I look forward to connecting to each of you and sharing your goals and dreams for your business.
blessings,
Annie

Permalink Reply by Carla on December 26, 2008 at 7:08pm

Thinking big to me is always thinking about the next step. When you are doing your day to day business duties it is always easy to get caught up in the day to day. Thinking about the next step helps to visualize something bigger.

How this relates to my business is helping my clients think about the next step not just what needs to be done today.