The difference between great businesses and not-so-great ones is how they do more with relatively less. With strategies, you can solve your problems on paper even before you implement them. Also, strategy is how businesses push themselves to hit their targets and overarching goals. For small businesses, strategies can be a helpful way of planning growth in all areas.

Being able to measure the implementation as you progress is even more important. That is part of the reason why many businesses opt for strategies to manage their operations. If you want to scale your small business, here are five key strategies to consider.

1. Asset Management Strategy

Everything a company owns is an asset. There are several types of business assets. And the type of industry you find yourself in will most likely determine the type of assets your business will have. Manufacturing industries tend to have more tangible or physical assets, while intellectual properties and trade secrets (for service industries) can be classified as intangible assets.

However, IT assets seem to be the most dominant for modern businesses of all kinds. Many companies prefer to use an asset management system to track everything from one source. It can help take stock of your assets’ overall performance in real-time.

2. Leadership Strategy

Your small business may have all the resources it needs. But it takes effective and consistent leadership to attain its best value. Even if you’re a do-it-all business owner, consistent efforts to upgrade skills and knowledge will always be crucial. A leadership strategy helps you identify your business’s leadership needs. Only then can you tailor activities like study leaves and mentorship programs.

Mentors like Zach Mottl, with extensive experience as a chief alignment officer (CAO), can help you avoid a lot of rookie mistakes as a small business owner. Mr. Mottle, in addition to his current role at Atlas, sits on many business boards, including the coalition for a prosperous America.

3. Marketing Strategy

It takes consistent marketing efforts for a small business to thrive and ultimately become a market leader. Marketing involves all your small business’s efforts to reach new customers and retain existing ones. Today, you can count several tools, resources, and approaches to help you reach your customers efficiently. With a marketing strategy, you can leverage multiple resources for significant marketing strides.

Different companies facilitate their marketing duties differently. The most crucial factor in marketing for all businesses, large and small, is the customer. Businesses can use big data to define their ideal client. Only then can practical marketing activities be developed around a customer’s specific interests and needs.

4. Product Development

There are endless benefits for companies that take product development seriously. A considerable part of your small business hinges on your product and how customers accept it over time. It might seem like a long road for your product to become a household name. However, no matter how long this road might be, a product development strategy can take you through each step of the way. Remember that effective product development begins with the identification of a need. Your product is likely to be adopted if it solves customers’ specific needs or makes their lives easier.

5. Cyber Security Strategy

Today, almost every company has at least one digital asset. It can be a social media or website. As your business grows in size, you may need more sophisticated digital platforms to manage your business. A cyber security strategy can be a helpful tool for your business, irrespective of your position on the business growth ladder. It doesn’t only protect your company from hackers. Your company’s cyber security strategy can outline best practices for using a browser for work, so you don’t mistakenly download a virus.