How innovation can help your small business grow in uncertain times

In 2025, Australian small businesses are dealing with unprecedented complexity. From rising costs and supply chain challenges to a highly fluid international trading climate, uncertainty abounds.

While it may be tempting to batten down the hatches until things settle down, forward thinking businesses will choose to think differently.

There are still opportunities to grow your operations and taking a leaf out of Apple founder Steve Jobs’ book could help you do so sustainably and profitably.

The legendary US entrepreneur was relentlessly focused on innovation and harnessed its power to generate extraordinary demand for Apple products and services.

Here are some ways you can follow his lead and set your small business up for healthy growth.

Strive for simplicity

Jobs memorably described simplicity as ‘the ultimate sophistication’. Hence his passion for creating products that were both powerful and user friendly. It’s a strategy that continues to pay off handsomely for Apple, helping it build a devoted customer base of billions and become one of the world’s most valuable brands.

Simplifying and streamlining your offering could help you do the same on a smaller scale; upping your business’ appeal to new and existing customers alike.

Embrace emerging technologies 

We’re living in a digital world and there’s strong global demand for products that incorporate emerging technologies – everything from AI-powered farming equipment to digital wearables that enable aging populations to monitor their health. That’s why utilising new developments to make your products and services ever more valuable to customers, as Jobs did with the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod,  may prove to be an intelligent move.

Take calculated risks

‘Stay hungry, stay foolish’ is another oft-quoted Jobs mantra. Taking risks and trying new things was, and is, standard operating procedure at Apple. It’s helped the company maintain its position as a trailblazer over many years.

While your small business may not have a Silicon Valley sized business development budget, that doesn’t preclude you from setting ambitious growth targets and exploring a range of strategies that will allow you to achieve them. Whether you opt to collaborate with a complementary business, try your hand at exporting or look to achieve economies of scale by acquiring a competitor, being disciplined and focused will help you get where you want to go.

Policies to protect your growth

An accident or incident can all too easily disrupt the best laid growth plans. Having the right cover for your business makes it easier to get back on track faster.

That’s why business continuity should be one of the policies in your insurance portfolio, along with property, public liability and workers compensation. It can cover your operating expenses and lost income for a period, should your business be unable to trade.

“Small businesses that don’t have this cover can struggle to recover from a major setback,” Steadfast broker technical manager Michael White says. “Having it in place will help protect your investment in innovation and expansion.”

Cover for your business in all sorts of times

The right insurance can help safeguard your business by enabling it to bounce back from damage, disruption and destruction. If you’d like some help to review your cover, to ensure it’s right for your needs, reach out to your Steadfast broker today.

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