Grow From Here

Starting a new blog is fitting as the new year starts.  Many of our clients have said that the information we provide is extremely useful because our company sits at the intersection of business & technology.  We focus on helping franchises increase efficiences and strengthen their systems.  This can sound a little dull, but it’s actually very exciting seeing the difference that improved operations can make for a growing franchise.

As I’m sure is true for all business owners, each new year brings many many lessons in what really matters to grow your business.  This past year (2008) has been a very full one for Open Box and for me personally. 

Highlights from 2008

We have continued to add to our roster of clients, with a particular focus on clients who have franchised or who are interested in building a company that is franchisable.

As well, our company went the investment raising route for VitalityLink and went through a major expansion and then a contraction to get us back to a lean, mean team that can deliver the best results for our clients.

I participated in Acetech’s Growth Strategy program, which was a like an ‘on the job MBA’ – designed to take best practices and teach and implement them in succesful growing tech companies here in Vancouver.  Great learning, incredible mentoring and a good way to build relationships and share with other CEOs about the challenges we face together.

The Corner where Business & Technology Meet for Growth

I decided to start the Grow from Here as a way of sharing our experiences and learning with franchisors and business owners.  The corner where business & technology come together is one where there are lots of small things that can be done to improve your success, and I hope to share those I know with you, and keep adding to my own toolkit.  This blog is for best practices in business growth, learning from one another and sharing what works (and, hopefully, what doesn’t!).

Looking forward – Focus is the Key for 2009

One of the most important things I continue to work on is picking the Big Goal (BHAG).  Probably like many entrepreneurs, Jeff & I are always excited by the new idea, opportunity, adventure.  There’s a funny post about entrepreneurs and our attraction to the Great Shiny New Thing at onstartups.com.  My lesson for this year has been to focus, stay on course, and let go of some of the great exciting ideas that come on an ongoing basis.  As my Board of Advisors like to say, ‘what’s your core business’?  Keeping that question front and centre has led me to some hard choices and continues to be a challenge, but it is one that I needed to confront in order to grow our company.  Keeping focussed is the one biggest things I will do in the coming year.  How about you – what has been your one takeaway from the last year?  What would you like to share with other business owners and entrepreneurs?

Katryn Best Practices, Business Growth, Focus, Franchise, Technology