You’ve successfully started a business. Congratulations! But are you on the road to growth that you can maintain and manage? 
 
Sustainable success isn’t necessarily getting bigger and growing profits; it is stable, consistent and long-term growth using the right building blocks. Those include smart investments in technology, personnel and strategic planning.
 
International entrepreneur Richard Branson reminds us that “A big business starts small.” And that means paying attention to day-to-day details even while thinking long-term for your organization. Live Oak Bank has expanded rapidly by following its mantra: to treat every customer as if it is their only customer.
 
Start with a commitment to deliver exceptional customer experiences to ensure those customers become loyal and recommend you to their friends. Collect customer feedback and use it to constantly improve your processes.
 
Strong relationships are critical to business owners and they beget referrals. In many cases, a strong referral base will grow your business faster than advertising. And as a bonus, clients who come to you through referrals already believe in you because their trusted source referred them to you. 
 
We at Lumina Business Solutions often talk with clients about the importance of continuing to develop business leads, even when the company is swamped with client work. Build a client waitlist to avoid a business slump once the work currently on your desk is finished. 
 
Next, document everything for your future self, or your successor, to rely on. Need a checklist? 1) Properly written job descriptions, stating who is responsible for what. 2) Standardized personnel practices and forms. 3) A policy manual, no matter the size of your organization, that clearly states how your firm adheres to employment laws, parameters of benefits you provide and your expectations of employees. 4) Processes to guard against loss of institutional knowledge when an employee leaves. 
 
Even if you have only a one-person accounting department, develop internal controls and carefully review your financial statements. Protect your company by putting restrictions in place to limit the damage, should an employee commit fraud.
 
Establish a staffing plan to avoid poor decisions at critical junctures and to anticipate roles and skills that will be needed as you grow. Creating your wish list of qualifications ahead of time helps ensure you build an exceptional team and have the right people in the right seats.
 
Paying more than you must in taxes can erase revenue gains. Ensure you are taking full advantage of current tax laws and harvesting all deductions to which you are entitled. 
 
You should also consider an exit strategy, which takes time and should be implemented years before your actual retirement. (You do plan to retire one day, right?) You have likely spent years creating value within your business - it is completely reasonable to expect a fair return when you’re ready to pass it on. 
 
One person can’t be an expert at everything. Engage professionals to fill in gaps in your knowledge and experience. If you prefer to focus on your zone of excellence, consider outsourcing your operations and accounting leadership functions to a skilled and experienced Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO). This person will ensure smooth day-to-day operations as you continue growing your business.
 
Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right processes and, perhaps, business partner, great things will come.