Grow by Not Getting Too Comfortable

If you've been doing the same job for several years, it's easy to get too comfortable and stop pursuing new opportunities. Real business growth happens when managers and employees use creativity and passion to identify opportunities and go after them with gusto. Follow these tips, and you'll be able to keep your business on track without falling into the trap of career stagnation.

Think about what it was like when you first started your job and started setting career goals. Review your mission statement to remind yourself why you got involved with the organization. If you own a business, think about how much fun you had creating business goals and developing a business strategy. Going back to your roots as a manager or business owner can help you reclaim some of your passion and avoid getting too comfortable with the status quo.

One of the easiest ways to spark business growth is to try something new. If tried-and-true tactics are no longer working for your company, get creative and come up with some tweaks to your existing products or services. Some hotels, for example, are now offering lounge-like environments and other perks to make their facilities more attractive to conference organizers and corporate event planners.

Some managers get too comfortable because they try to do everything without input from other people. Soliciting input from subordinates and other managers can prompt business growth by helping you uncover ideas you would not have thought of on your own. If you are a solo entrepreneur, consider joining an incubator for access to expert advice on marketing and growing your business. In Colorado, the Colorado Springs Technology Incubator gives entrepreneurs access to patent attorneys, marketing experts, and venture capital resources. Look for a similar group in your area and take advantage of the opportunity to revamp your business strategy.

It's easy to get too comfortable in your department and forget to see how other departments are doing. This can actually hamper business growth because you will not know how well the company is doing as a whole. Even if you work in marketing or IT management, you still need to know what is going on in the accounting and human resources departments. Consider holding roundtable discussions so that you can get feedback about what is working and what is not.

In many ways, it's good to be comfortable with your job, but too much comfort can actually prevent business growth and make it harder to effect change. If you find yourself becoming too comfortable in your current position, think back to your early days with the company to find some inspiration. Solicit input from others, join a business incubator, or try offering a new product or service. This will make it easier to achieve business growth year after year.

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