Happy Tuesday, Reader! There’s no question that every small and micro business leader is having to make tough decisions right now about how best to serve their team, customers, and community. But this is not the first time we’ve faced economic uncertainty, which is why I know sustainable business growth is still possible—and perhaps more necessary than ever. Sustainable growth means evolving, changing, and blooming over time without burning people out. For a business to have sustainable growth, there must be an alignment of three things:
Why?
Only when these three areas are aligned can we create community, impact, and, of course, profits all at the same time. Simple, right? The first stage of building this essential alignment is all about foundation building. As we begin a new journey, there is always critical planning and unpacking work to be done. At Realign Consulting, we think of this as a four-part process that we typically work through in a two-day strategy retreat:
Each step is a crucial foundational element. Without them, the second alignment stage isn’t possible because having useable energy requires that we build something first. The second stage for creating alignment for sustainability focuses on consistent realignment. Once stage one is complete, growth looks more like a wheel than a path. I like to think of this as a waterwheel rather than the modern “flywheel” analogy. A waterwheel relies on a more consistent, less frenetic energy more fitting for sustainability-minded companies. This ongoing cycle of growth can be reflected in four parts:
Where do you need to realign to support the sustainability of your business in these uncertain times? Reply to this email and let me know which of the three critical alignment areas—people, systems, or habits—you most need support with.
Until next time, |
Renia (pronounced R-EE-n-a) Carsillo hates business silos and marketing hacks. So, she spends her days working with mid-size and small companies to integrate their business strategy with their impact strategy, design sustainable marketing frameworks, and find a growth cadence that works for their team and their lives. Renia believes founders are uniquely positioned to create a kinder, more equitable world. She is passionate about bringing C-level strategic support to the small and mid-size companies shaping their communities every day. Renia says, "Sustainable marketing is built on a solid business strategy. A solid business strategy is built on values-driven habits. Values-driven habits are built on healed/healing leaders. We can’t do these things separately. They’re all interconnected. ”
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