New Year, New Performance? How to play like Clemson in 2017

Posted on: March 21st, 2017

middle market company growth
In January this year, Clemson defeated Alabama 35-31 and won its first national championship since the 1981 season.

So how did they do it? Was it their bionic quarterback? Or was it their game-winning (and most thrilling) touchdown passes?

Was it their unbending will? Or their amazing host of wide receivers? Or was it Coach Swinney, whose unrelenting efforts for the past eight years, brought the ultimate coronation for the team.

Whatever the reason, Clemson’s comeback, after being defeated by Alabama in last year’s national championship game, can be attributed to taking on new approach to a new season. This gives us a valuable takeaway- especially if you are a middle market company seeking to conquer the next level.

To reach the next stage of growth, companies must jump-start their strategy and shift their mindset. What they need is new performance parameters. Here is a list of five growth ‘game changers’ that can help you play, and win, like Clemson.

  1. Pursue strategy: Most mid-market companies are built on opportunities. However, just a simple perusal of opportunities won’t take you to the next level. Companies must formulate a strategic plan and carefully choose the right opportunities to take their strategy forward.
  2. Initiate partnerships: Mid-market companies generally seek to control every facet of operations. This may range from sales channels and supply chains to product development and talent management. However, companies seeking to scale their operations must tap appropriate partnerships that bring access to new capabilities, technology, and customers.  A comfort level with outsourced processes should be cultivated to make this happen.
  3. Innovate products: Creating a culture of innovation, in their product line, is the only way companies can reinvent themselves and go to the next level. This can be done by extending existing products and services, and by converting successful one-off products into scalable products that define the company. Feature functionality and value propositions must be extended.  Furthermore, innovation should not be limited to products alone but extend beyond the products and focus on the value and outcomes it creates.
  4. Build brands: Branding was once reserved for big companies with big budgets.  This no longer holds. All companies should consciously work to invest, build and promote a strong brand that communicates their value to a broader audience. Lost cost social media programs are a great way to build a brand presence and start the brand communication process with your audience.  Linked in, Facebook and Instagram are available to you at pennies on the dollar.
  5. Develop process: Mid-market companies generally run on a core team of talented employees who are the driving force. However, when scaling operations, the company may stretch its talent base.  To avoid this, companies should invest in process and structure wherein core functions such as sales and client management, strategic planning, product development and talent attraction and retention can be improved by well-defined processes.

Just as Clemson used new strategy to win, these new performance tips can charge up your offense and get you in the end zone!