About Us
Ready2Grow is a business and leadership consulting firm focused on small business and based in Waterloo, Ontario. We help businesses double or triple their profits by putting into place leading-edge strategies, systems, and people. We have proven methods, tools, and connections that will get you to your next level. For more information, please check out our website at www.ready2grow.com.
How We Got Started
I began Ready2Grow in 2006 to provide effective growth solutions for small business owners. In 2015 I developed GoalKeepers as a forum where small business owners could learn from each other and stay accountable for their goals. Ready2Grow business growth solutions are: Clear. Practical. Results-oriented. Affordable. Community-Building.
The products and services we offer
Recommendations Received (59)
"Lois is a wealth of small business knowledge and experience. As a successful entrepreneur she..."
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"Lois is a wealth of small business knowledge and experience. As a successful entrepreneur she knows the questions to ask, brings valid options and leads you to solutions. "
"Lois brings a different perspective that adds value. "
Products & Services
To move forward, you need to work ON your business instead of just IN it. Our proven framework, intelligent process, and regular time container hel...
Sometimes barriers to growth come from within. We have helped owners and managers overcome every kind of internal barrier you could think of – low ...
A one-day in-person event where you reflect on your vision and goals for life and business with like-minded professionals. You will pull together y...
Gallery
Recommendations Given (50)
"Diane is an experienced and dedicated professional whose true genius is planning life-enriching..."
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"Diane is an experienced and dedicated professional whose true genius is planning life-enriching travel experiences for her clients. She loves what she does and does it super-well. Highly recommended!"
"Carolyn is a highly talented creative professional who can be your one-stop shop for all..."
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"Carolyn is a highly talented creative professional who can be your one-stop shop for all creative. I highly recommend her services!"
Recent Activity
In my view the above-listed CRMs are appropriate / affordable for larger businesses. Local SMBs need low-cost, high-flex, and easily integrated tools. Beware "Freemium"... it actually means "grow then pay a premium"! For 15 years we've all been "platform guinea pigs"....promised the moon, then...
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In my view the above-listed CRMs are appropriate / affordable for larger businesses. Local SMBs need low-cost, high-flex, and easily integrated tools. Beware "Freemium"... it actually means "grow then pay a premium"! For 15 years we've all been "platform guinea pigs"....promised the moon, then mired in endless learning curves and integration swamps. Personally I researched and tossed 20 platforms for every one I found worth keeping. Here's the thing. No platform will ever grow a poorly-designed business. Ready2Grow.com and GoalKeepers.Online are now housed on low-cost, high-flex, and easily-integrated platforms: GoDaddy, Mailchimp, Jotform, Canva, Stripe, Mighty Networks, and Social. I can maintain the whole enterprise myself, or delegate any part to others.
Zoom has become a close friend for sure. Our GoalKeepers program had been a monthly in-person mastermind but is now working super-well as a weekly Zoom group. Of course we all miss in-person connections and fresh coffee! The majority of women-owned businesses are small, human-facing services that...
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Zoom has become a close friend for sure. Our GoalKeepers program had been a monthly in-person mastermind but is now working super-well as a weekly Zoom group. Of course we all miss in-person connections and fresh coffee! The majority of women-owned businesses are small, human-facing services that have been walloped hard by COVID. Weekly support is crucial during these crazy times, so GoalKeepers stays FREE for the duration. The folks below have really benefited as they've worked through challenges together, held each other accountable, and had each others' backs. Here's Kevin, me, Anita, Greg, Heather, Jeanette, and Margaret during a recent Friday morning. :) Q4 Group starts October 9. New members welcome, click for details.
Hi Ken, there is no magic bullet for the print industry. Success is still about listening to your clients. One of my business coaching clients changed very little about their print business during the industry sea change that happened over the last 10 years. Yes, they have issues. Yes, there are...
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Hi Ken, there is no magic bullet for the print industry. Success is still about listening to your clients. One of my business coaching clients changed very little about their print business during the industry sea change that happened over the last 10 years. Yes, they have issues. Yes, there are further efficiencies they could be creating. However, they are still in business. They pay almost hourly attention to their numbers. Their key strength is that they have continued to listen carefully to their clients and provide excellent customer service. They don't compete only on price. My client's business has thus been able to buy other companies that had gone out of business by investing too heavily in the latest new equipment and trying to compete on price. Innovation and price competitiveness are keys to success. But they are not the only keys. Sometimes it's sheer dogged persistence and never giving up. And it's always, always about listening to your clients and serving their needs.
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Your branding sounds great - but need more than a brand - you need a sales funnel. How are you going to get your prospect to pass through each of these 4 phases: Attention. Interest. Desire. Action. Branding creates Attention. Marketing builds connection and creates Interest and Desire to...
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Your branding sounds great - but need more than a brand - you need a sales funnel. How are you going to get your prospect to pass through each of these 4 phases: Attention. Interest. Desire. Action. Branding creates Attention. Marketing builds connection and creates Interest and Desire to purchase. But you need conversations and communications that transform interest into Action and create a sale. These can be digital or in-person, but they need to be thought out ahead of time. Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of confusing branding/marketing with selling. Each is a part of your funnel, but they are not the same. What do you need to do in order to actually talk with more prospects and invite / persuade them to work with you?
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One approach would be to use PR to attract attention. There are many other approaches. If using a PR approach - create an interesting in-person experience that people want to get involved with and that leaves them feeling good. A free boot-camp, a health expo, a highly informative seminar about a...
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One approach would be to use PR to attract attention. There are many other approaches. If using a PR approach - create an interesting in-person experience that people want to get involved with and that leaves them feeling good. A free boot-camp, a health expo, a highly informative seminar about a hot-button issue, an outdoor hike. Announce via Alignable or Meet-up. Create a paid offer that goes with the free event, but offer it at a discount to attendees for a limited period of time. Invite your "low-hanging fruit" to your event - all the people in your network and any clients you've worked with thus far. Create a charity component so you're giving something back to the community. Possibly seek sponsors for your event. Write a press release and invite the press. Think through your follow-up process ahead of time so you are prepared to leverage all attention you receive.
Hi Terrified,
There are three things you need to do right away. 1. Reframe how you think about selling. 2. Stop cold-calling. Just stop. 3. Place your focus on the people you already know - your "low-hanging fruit". If your current business model can't give you space to do this - change your...
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Hi Terrified,
There are three things you need to do right away. 1. Reframe how you think about selling. 2. Stop cold-calling. Just stop. 3. Place your focus on the people you already know - your "low-hanging fruit". If your current business model can't give you space to do this - change your business model.
1.Reframe your perspective on selling. Use a coach approach to selling, where the questions you ask are at least as important as any answers you give. This is the opposite of the "tell-and-sell" approach, where you present your value proposition then overcome objections. Where you are supposed to have all the answers.
Introverts have great strengths in asking questions and listening. Most potential customers feel very comfortable with this approach, and it is far more valuable to the prospect. You are not "selling" - you are "providing value". Without your questions, listening, and possible solution, the client may never be able to solve their problem or reach their aspiration. Why would you deny the client the benefit of what you have to offer? It would not be fair to them. And so on. Always keep in mind that sales is not about "selling". It's about listening, asking questions, and adding value.
2. Stop cold calling. The vast majority of people can neither master this set of skills, nor be successful with this approach.
3. Always start with your "low-hanging fruit". These are the people who already know, like, and trust you and want to help you succeed. Craft your coach-approach to sales and try it out on them. Seek their support. Ask them for referrals. These referrals become warm leads instead of cold ones. Social media such as Alignable can help you accomplish this. Hope it helps - stay in touch!
1 Reply
Always start with your "low-hanging fruit". These are the people you already know, who might know someone else you want to know. Alignable and other social media platforms can really help you figure out who to reach out to. Everyone knows at least 200 people. Start there.
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Always start with your "low-hanging fruit". These are the people you already know, who might know someone else you want to know. Alignable and other social media platforms can really help you figure out who to reach out to. Everyone knows at least 200 people. Start there.
We use Quickbooks Online. Some very useful QBO apps include: HubDoc (collects documents and processes them automatically into QBO), Plooto (payments), TSheets (time tracking), Expensify (expense tracking), and SOS (inventory).
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We use Quickbooks Online. Some very useful QBO apps include: HubDoc (collects documents and processes them automatically into QBO), Plooto (payments), TSheets (time tracking), Expensify (expense tracking), and SOS (inventory).
