The stakes in business are not only financial, but there are also social and political ones. In fact, you have employees, suppliers, customers, and even governments to consider. These are all important components of a business. Therefore, determining what these stakeholders are is an essential step in building your business and making it more successful.
Employees
Providing employees with a share of your company’s success can be a win-win for everyone. It makes your employees feel like they’re part of the company, and it increases job security. And it can make your business a whole lot more profitable.
While there are many ways to reward your workers, there’s no denying that a share scheme is one of the best. You can give your employees a stake in the company, a stock option, or even an equity incentive, such as a limited partnership.
There are a number of factors to consider before deciding on a scheme. For starters, you should figure out whether there are legal or contractual obligations to your employees if you choose to offer them an equity stake. Then, consider how much you’ll have to spend on repurchasing the shares should your employees decide to leave your business for greener pastures.
Customers
Customers are a major stakeholder in your business and a well executed customer experience will keep them coming back for more. They will even go as far as to share their opinions with their friends, family and coworkers. This gives your business a huge competitive advantage.
Using customer data to make informed decisions about your business is the only way to stand out in a crowded marketplace. The secret is to have the right tools to do the job. For example, you may need a fancy database to store your data. You will also need a high level of connectivity across your various channels. Thankfully, there are several software providers out there to make your life easier.
When it comes to customer service, there are a few best practices to follow. One is to be proactive in catching customer problems before they develop. Another is to create a two-way conversation. Customer engagement isn’t always fun and games, but it is an important part of any business.
Suppliers
It’s important to build a solid relationship with your suppliers. They can be crucial to your business. If you don’t do it properly, you might end up paying more than you should or getting less than you deserve.
You should always check the credentials of your suppliers before deciding on whether or not to work with them. For instance, you can use references to find out how reliable they are. These can also provide you with information on the quality of their products and services.
You can improve your supplier relationships by establishing a formal governance structure. It should be cross-functional and focused on performance.
You can also provide incentives for both parties to pursue long-term win-win opportunities. Make sure the incentives are clear, simple and aligned.
Governments
When governments support companies, they do so through a number of different levers. These may include supporting aggressive growth, supporting mergers and acquisitions, or lobbying other governments. The decision to support a company, however, requires a thorough analysis of the company’s needs and objectives.
For example, a government may support a company because of its long-term ambitions or positive social or environmental impact. Governments must also be able to change and adjust support. If a government supports a company, it must be able to quickly respond to new developments and to shift support when it is no longer needed.
Managing government relationships is a top leadership responsibility. This requires developing an integrated capability and creating a strategy that aligns with the goals of the company and the government.