The 2 Growth Strategies Every Business Needs: Lessons from Success

In today’s fast-paced world, achieving sustainable business growth requires more than just hard work; it demands smart strategies. Two of the most effective strategies I share with clients are tracking and understanding data and systemizing operations. But what does it look like to apply these in real life? Today, I want to share a story of two businesses—one that embraced these strategies and another that didn’t—and the vastly different results they achieved. 

Strategy 1: Tracking and Understanding Data 

When you know your numbers, you gain the power to make data-driven decisions. One business I worked with, let’s call them "Electrical ABC," was struggling to grow despite high outbound marketing efforts and stable inquiries for their services. The problem? They were tracking so many different things but hadn’t stopped to think about the key leading indicators that drive revenue.  They had no insight into their customer acquisition costs, lead conversion rates, or churn rates. Without this data, they couldn’t identify where their revenue leaks were happening, or which marketing channels worked. 

After working together, we simplified their KPIs and set up a simple tracking system that kept the progress visible to all. By reviewing their numbers weekly, they discovered there were issues with their conversion rates and cycle.  The process took too long and their close rate varied greatly week over week.  This led to a deep dive into their sales and conversion process. A marketing expert was brought onto the leadership team who would be held accountable for the outcomes, and the rest is history. It is a good reminder to think about your most frustrated area and what expertise is needed to elevate the outcome.   

Another business I encountered, which I will call "Creative X," had a similar data problem. Despite rapid early growth, they never developed a way to track KPIs effectively. Without insights into which clients were profitable or which services generated the most revenue, they kept taking on every project that came their way. We know growth costs cash, so knowing which types of clients and which services turn a profit (and add to cashflow) is important.  After working together, we nailed down which services to focus on, which clients were worth pursuing, and adjusted their pricing, which allowed them 2x their growth in revenue and profit year over year.  

The lesson: By tracking and understanding data, they could make clear, informed decisions that directly impacted their growth. 

The takeaway: Neglecting data tracking can result in lost revenue, wasted effort, and limit your growth potential. 

Strategy 2: Systemizing Your Data Tracking and Internal Operations 

Tracking data is just the start—having a system in place makes it all manageable. When data tracking becomes routine, you build an operational rhythm, freeing up time to focus on what really matters: strategy and growth. 

This brings me back to “Creative X”, who embraced systemization with remarkable results. Like many small businesses, they were juggling multiple systems for project tracking, client management, and billing. The systems didn’t link so data was siloed and there was no single source of truth.  There was little consistency in how information was recorded as much was in various Excel sheets, some in the CRM, and a little bit in the financial software. This led to constant confusion and frustration— client deliverables were hard to follow, finding reliable financial information was a challenge, and there was no analysis of the data. 

Together, we implemented a systemized approach to their operations. We integrated the CRM and project management software with the financial platform, set up automatic workflows for routine tasks, and created a structured process for tracking and reviewing data weekly. Soon, everyone in the company was on the same page, deadlines were met, and financial insight and results improved drastically.  

The lesson: Systemizing operations doesn’t just make data tracking easier; it brings consistency, efficiency, and a higher level of service. 

Final Thoughts: Why Data and Systems Are Your Growth Allies 

These stories show just how powerful data tracking and systemized operations can be. When Creative X and Electrical ABC committed to these strategies, they turned insight into action, streamlined their operations, and grew steadily.  

Growth doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of smart strategies and intentional actions. By tracking the data that matters most and systemizing how you manage it, you’re setting up a structure that supports sustainable growth. 

Action Item 

Pick One KPI to Track This Week: Identify one metric that impacts your business growth, such as lead conversion rate or customer acquisition cost. Set up a system to track it weekly, whether using a CRM, project management software, or even a simple spreadsheet. Stick to it and watch how a small change in tracking can lead to big transformations over time. 

Ready to dive deeper into growth strategies for your business? Schedule a call to explore how MCsquared Coaching can help you harness data and systems to build a more efficient, scalable business.  

Looking for more data points, reviewing your Business Health Assessment will give you even further insight. 

Cheers,

Merin