If you’re the kind of business owner who has any real interest in hiring a team. But you might not be making enough cash flow to outsource, the next best step is to consider diversifying your products or services to scale your business, but there are several key considerations that you should keep in mind.

Here’s a list of considerations to take into account:

1. Market Research: Conduct thorough market research to identify potential opportunities, assess customer needs, and understand the demand for new products or services. Evaluate the market size, competition, and potential profitability.

2. Core Competencies: Assess your business’s core competencies, strengths, and expertise. Determine if diversification aligns with your existing capabilities and resources or if you need to acquire new skills or resources.

3. Customer Segments: Identify your target customer segments for the new products or services. Determine if your existing customer base can be expanded or if you need to reach new markets. Consider the needs, preferences, and purchasing power of these segments.

4. Competitive Advantage: Evaluate how your proposed diversification strategy will provide a competitive advantage over existing competitors. Determine if your new offerings can differentiate your business and attract customers.

5. Financial Analysis: Conduct a thorough financial analysis to assess the feasibility and potential profitability of diversification. Consider the costs of research and development, production, marketing, distribution, and ongoing operational expenses. Evaluate the potential return on investment and cash flow implications.

6. Risk Assessment: Identify and analyze the risks associated with diversification. Consider market risks, financial risks, operational risks, and potential impact on your brand reputation. Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.

7. Resource Allocation: Assess the resources required to support diversification. Consider the impact on your existing operations, staff, facilities, and technology infrastructure. Determine if additional resources, such as manpower, equipment, or technology, need to be allocated.

8. Scalability: Evaluate if your business can scale up operations to meet the increased demands and complexities of diversification. Consider factors such as production capacity, supply chain capabilities, and distribution networks.

9. Marketing and Promotion: Develop a comprehensive marketing and promotion plan to create awareness and generate demand for your new products or services. Identify appropriate channels, messaging, and branding strategies to effectively reach your target audience.

10. Customer Feedback: Seek feedback from existing and potential customers to understand their needs and preferences regarding the new offerings. Incorporate customer feedback into the product/service development process and adapt accordingly.

11. Implementation Timeline: Create a realistic timeline for implementing the diversification strategy. Consider the time required for research and development, production, marketing, staff training, and other necessary activities. Set measurable milestones and deadlines.

12. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of your diversification efforts. Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of new products or services against predetermined goals. Make adjustments as needed.

Remember that diversification involves calculated risks, so it’s crucial to carefully analyze and plan each step to make sure you’re still kicking your goals. And if you need a plan to get your launch into gear, check out our Digital Marketing Playbook.

XOXO

OMD SQUAD