In today’s fast-paced business world, it’s easy to get caught up in the tried-and-true strategies that everyone else is using. From digital marketing to social media campaigns, business owners often rely on the same methods and expect to see continued success. However, if you really want to stand out, you must think beyond the traditional tactics and incorporate strategies that are outside the box. Nathan Baws, a leading expert in business growth and innovation, advocates for taking risks and trying new approaches to break through the noise.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into seven surprising business strategies you should be using to drive success, improve profitability, and set your business apart from the competition. If you’re a small business owner looking for innovative ways to scale and grow, these strategies can help you accelerate your business’ potential.

Before we dive into the strategies, it’s worth noting that many small businesses can benefit from professional small business consulting services. A business consultant can guide you in implementing these strategies, assess your current operations, and tailor solutions to fit your specific needs.

1. Embrace the Power of Community-Driven Growth

One of Nathan Baws’ core philosophies is the idea that businesses thrive when they build strong, supportive communities. The power of community-driven growth isn’t something that most business owners leverage effectively, but when done right, it can create loyal customers and a passionate fanbase.

Rather than focusing only on selling products or services, think about how you can create a sense of belonging for your customers. This can be achieved by building an engaged online community, creating loyalty programs, or hosting events where customers can interact with your brand in meaningful ways.

For instance, some small businesses have embraced community building by launching online forums or Facebook groups where their customers can connect, share experiences, and provide feedback. By doing so, businesses foster a sense of ownership and belonging within their customer base, which in turn creates long-lasting relationships and brand advocates.

Moreover, involving your customers in decision-making, like asking for their input on new products or services, will make them feel valued. You’ll not only improve customer retention but also drive referrals and word-of-mouth growth.

2. Leverage User-Generated Content to Build Trust

User-generated content (UGC) has become one of the most powerful tools for building trust and credibility online. Nathan Baws suggests that businesses can dramatically increase their authenticity and brand perception by encouraging customers to create and share content related to your product or service.

Whether it’s customer testimonials, product reviews, or images shared by users on social media, UGC acts as social proof, which plays a significant role in decision-making for new customers. People tend to trust other customers more than businesses themselves because UGC feels more genuine and authentic.

Encourage customers to share their experiences with your brand, and make it easy for them to do so by incorporating review platforms, hashtags, and sharing buttons on your website or social media accounts. In turn, this creates a cycle of content that not only showcases your product but also fosters a deeper connection with your audience.

3. Prioritize Employee Wellbeing and Engagement

Most business strategies focus on the customer experience, but Nathan Baws believes that employee wellbeing is just as crucial to success. Happy and engaged employees lead to increased productivity, lower turnover, and ultimately, higher profits. This is why focusing on your team’s well-being is one of the most surprising but effective strategies you can implement.

Investing in your employees’ mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing creates a positive work environment and strengthens the culture of your business. It might sound surprising, but employees who feel cared for are more motivated to go the extra mile, which translates directly to better customer service and higher performance.

To ensure your employees feel valued, consider implementing wellness programs, offering flexible working hours, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development. These initiatives not only boost morale but also improve retention rates, saving your business significant costs in recruiting and training new staff.

4. Tap into the Power of Influencer Partnerships

Influencer marketing has been growing in popularity, but Nathan Baws advocates for taking a more targeted, strategic approach when working with influencers. Rather than simply partnering with high-profile influencers with millions of followers, he encourages small businesses to focus on niche influencers who have a highly engaged and relevant audience.

These micro-influencers can provide more authentic recommendations, and their audiences tend to trust them more than larger influencers. By partnering with individuals whose values align with your business, you can build more genuine connections with your target market. Influencer partnerships can help you amplify your message and reach new customers in a way that feels organic.

Furthermore, this approach is often more cost-effective than working with larger influencers, making it a great option for small businesses with tighter marketing budgets.

5. Offer Subscription Models for Recurring Revenue

Subscription-based business models have gained significant traction over the past few years, and for good reason. Nathan Baws suggests that offering a subscription model is a fantastic way for businesses to create predictable and recurring revenue streams. By offering your products or services on a subscription basis, you can secure long-term customer relationships and generate consistent cash flow.

From meal kit services to subscription boxes, this model has proven successful in various industries. It works particularly well for businesses that offer consumable goods or services, such as beauty products, coffee, or even digital services. Subscriptions also allow businesses to plan inventory more effectively and deepen relationships with customers.

By providing valuable, exclusive content, or special discounts to your subscribers, you increase the perceived value of the service, making it a win-win for both the customer and your business.

6. Use Data-Driven Personalization to Enhance Customer Experience

Personalization is no longer just a trend—it’s an expectation. Nathan Baws emphasizes the importance of using customer data to create highly personalized experiences. By leveraging analytics, businesses can tailor their offerings, messaging, and even pricing to match individual preferences and behaviors, which ultimately enhances the overall customer experience.

Advanced data tools allow you to analyze customer purchasing patterns, browsing history, and demographics to better understand what your customers want and need. With this data, you can deliver customized product recommendations, targeted marketing messages, and even personalized discounts that speak directly to each customer’s unique preferences.

Personalization not only improves customer satisfaction but also increases conversion rates and average order value, making it an essential strategy for any business looking to grow.

7. Partner with Other Businesses for Cross-Promotion

Collaboration is a powerful tool for business growth. Nathan Baws believes that cross-promotion with other businesses can open doors to new audiences and opportunities. By partnering with companies that complement your own (but don’t compete), you can create mutually beneficial arrangements that expand your reach.

For example, a local coffee shop could partner with a nearby bakery to offer joint discounts or bundled products. Or an online fashion store could collaborate with a beauty brand to create an exclusive product line. These partnerships help both businesses gain exposure to new customer segments without having to invest heavily in new marketing efforts.

Moreover, cross-promotion is a cost-effective way to expand your brand presence and increase sales by tapping into the existing customer base of your partner.

Conclusion: Transform Your Business with Nathan Baws’ Surprising Strategies

As Nathan Baws’ approach to business growth demonstrates, the key to success lies in being bold and embracing unorthodox strategies that set you apart from the competition. Whether it’s building a strong community, leveraging data for personalization, or exploring subscription models, these surprising strategies can provide long-lasting results for your business.

If you’re struggling to implement some of these innovative tactics, consider reaching out for small business consulting services. A professional consultant can help you tailor these strategies to your unique business needs, optimizing your growth potential and accelerating success.

By incorporating these seven surprising business strategies, you’ll be well on your way to not just growing your business, but thriving in a competitive marketplace. Start small, think big, and see how these unconventional methods can lead to extraordinary results!