Why exponential sales growth eludes some companies

I asked one of his employees recently about his employment policy; how does he get such great employees onboard? She said that he looks for positive self-starters – people who don’t expect for someone to hold their hand every step of the way. They are all young, mostly millennials, so its amazing that he has been able to find people and grow them like he has.

After talking to him, I realized one thing; he is a sales guy albeit in a tech-geek (I say this affectionately) kind of way. He is completely organized, on message 100% of the time, and uses technology in every part of his life to make it more efficient, effective and productive. 

He also seems to have an eye for who to invest in and who not to. Kudos to him.

But the main message I have from being in the Atlanta Technology Village is about the kinds of people who are able to take their business all the way, and the others that falter.

And they all have some things in common:

• They have a business plan and they take on investment to fast-track growth, rather than grow organically
• They know the market, and don’t second guess it – or just go with a gut instinct
• They all have inside sales models – sophisticated marketing platforms that convert leads to sales
• Passion is key not just for themselves, but for everyone that works for them
• They employ their friends, or friends of friends
• They know how to sell the dream
• They believe in what they do and really believe in the messages that they communicate
• They all have the same interactive, responsive website designs
• They all sell their USP in a way that makes people respond – even if their product is the same as someone else’s.

Why exponential sales growth eludes some companies and not others is simple: some people sit on their hands, are control freaks and can’t look past their desks. They want growth badly, but don’t invest in an inside sales model, or communicating their brand in a way that resonates with their target audiences. In fact, they spend so much time on areas of the business that don’t deserve a second glance and forgot to focus on the big picture. 

They employ people because they desperately need someone to fill that gap, instead of waiting and finding that right person who can take their vision all the way.

And mostly, they run their business in a disorganized fashion. Instead of having processes for every area of their businesses, they fly by the seat of their pants.

All entrepreneurs can learn from others that have done it before. There is no such thing as getting luck. You create your own luck! Buckle down, get organized (that doesn’t mean a clean desk), and put your plan in motion. Check it every single week and make yourself accountable to others that work for you.