5 activities too many companies overlook

Revenue, product development, and operational efficiency are the cornerstones of a successful business. But are they so important that companies focus on nothing else?

This is the reality for many businesses. And it’s a complacent one.

Nine in ten startups fail, and even established corporations are collapsing under market pressures. What companies actually need is every tactic available to secure growth and build resilience.

This article highlights five key activities that many companies overlook, explaining why integrating them into your strategy is essential if you want to succeed.

Executive branding

To differentiate yourself in crowded markets, consider building and promoting the profiles of your top leaders through executive branding. It’ll help secure investment, attract top talent, and win long-term contracts that strengthen your bottom line.

Companies that don’t, underestimating the impact of visibility or dismissing it as vanity, only risk letting the media shape how others view their business. Do you want to leave your reputation to chance, too?

As experts stress, personal branding for executives isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s an imperative to become more visible, in the right way, and earn authority in today’s cutthroat business landscape.

So, don’t overlook it. If you’re a CEO or founder, start taking steps to become more visible now.

Crisis preparation

When a crisis hits, you need to respond, ideally within minutes.

Don’t, and panic will set in, hours will go by, and before you know it, you’ll be swarmed with media headlines and viral debate that all your stakeholders will see.

At that point, your company’s stock price can fall, talent can leave, and clients or partners can distance themselves, no matter the severity of the crisis, if your response falls short.

Case in point: take crises seriously. You’ll eventually face one, and it’s better to over-prepare rather than not with a response carrying brutal honesty, facts, and a dedicated plan of action.

Upskilling

Ask most leaders what it takes to build a successful company: they’ll probably say capital. To some degree, that’s true. But what about talent?

No matter how much you invest and reinvest in a company, it’s not going to grow if your staff doesn’t grow with it. They’re not going to meet new demands or pass what they know on to those below. They need upskilling and management experience.

Too many leaders only realize this when it’s too late. Productivity falls, employees leave, and revenues wane. All the while, leaders themselves can take a reputational hit.

Don’t make this mistake.

Well-being programs

Well-being is taken so seriously today that entire media outlets now exist to tackle issues that are prominent in the workplace, surrounding mental health and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

And if your company isn’t pulling its weight, it can face serious crises, especially in sectors such as finance, where stress levels are high, failures are magnified, and whistleblowing is far more likely.

Of course, strong performance is important. We’re not saying it isn’t. But, in nearly every case, it’s driven by employees who genuinely feel valued.

Audience insight

While tech or consumer lifestyle firms embed rigorous audience research into every campaign, other industries sometimes overlook it.

It’s easy to see why, considering that commissioning research can be time-consuming and costly.

But if you follow this practice, you’ll always be leading your company blind. You’ll fail to anticipate concerns before they become issues and craft content that truly resonates. Eventually, you’ll alienate your core audience.

Avoid this trap. Work smarter, not harder.

Final thoughts

The business landscape today is fast-moving, highly scrutinized, and unforgiving. If you’re overlooking these activities even slightly, your company risks falling behind.

But embed them within your core strategy now, and you’ll position your company for long-term success, sustainable growth, and a reputation that truly endures.