A Simple Guide to Getting Unstuck

From a Marketer’s Perspective

No one likes to be stuck. If you’re stuck, you aren’t growing and if you’re a business, then being stuck means you’re not making money. There are several reasons why companies feel stuck. The challenge is how to get out of it and move forward. For a lot of us we’ve felt stuck since early 2020…

Here are a few “stuck” examples of what we’ve heard from our clients:

“We have a new product, but not sure how to tell its story.”

“We’ve seen tremendous growth, and are ready to focus now, but how?”

“We’ve been throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. It’s not working.” 

“We’re now at a place to start marketing ourselves, but not sure where to start.” 

“We’re not sure if our talent is being used efficiently and effectively.” 

“Our customer engagement on our digital channels is at a standstill.” 

Do any of these resonate with you? 

The literal definition of stuck is to be unable to move. As a business, brand, and team, movement is key, especially forward movement towards a goal. It’s hard to move forward if you’re stuck spinning your wheels trying to figure out the next step. It can be a daunting task. It can also be damaging and cause a negative spiraling effect on the rest of your operation. 

We’re Stuck – Now What? 

Identify “the why”

The first step is to acknowledge the fact that you are stuck, and then try to identify why. Get to the root of the problem if you can. Pull reports and see if there are any correlations in the data. Discuss with your team members and see what their thoughts might be. Once you figure out “The Why,” you’ll be able to create a plan. 

Create a SMART plan

A plan is easy to develop, especially if you know what the goal is. Create a phased plan with SMART goals and objectives for each phase, with “SMART” meaning not only intelligent, but specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. These goals don’t have to be huge, just achievable. Once you’ve achieved the first few goals in your plan, you can start aiming for larger achievements.

Maintaining forward motion

You did it! You’ve pushed yourself and your team out of the rut. Use this momentum to keep your business moving forward, even if it’s slow. Instill good communication and methods of checking in with your team to make sure no one else is getting stuck. At Concord Adams, we are keen believers in “over” communication. Communicating regularly and often leaves little room for confusion, provides the opportunity to ask questions, and keeps everyone on the same page.

Learning from the past

As you continue to make plans for the future, look back on the times you were stuck. Especially focus on how your business managed times of hardship, like the COVID-19 pandemic. What factored into “The Why” that got you stuck, and how can you plan for that in the future? What innovative ideas propelled your business forward? Talk with your team, and ask for their insight too. Let your moments of being stuck be lessons you can carry with you in the future.