6. Innovate:

If you are trying to make a really big difference, come up with something new. Or do something better than other people. Or apply existing concepts and business models to a new field. Be bold.

You have your business set up, you’ve advertised yourself to the world and customers are starting to come through your doors. You should be constantly looking for ways to keep old customers coming back, and new customers coming in.

The key is to find an angle that is not being exploited by any of your competitors. There may be several businesses around you providing what is essentially the same service, so it is by thinking of something that they have not that will make the customers yours.

Do your research so that you know what is out there, and if you can use an idea that you come across, then do so. Make sure it is tailored to fit your business and your market, and develop it to give it that something that isn’t found anywhere else.

Partnerships are a fantastic source of this kind of originality – maybe there is a business near you with similar guiding principles whose services could be complementary to yours. Customers love to feel they are supporting local business, especially if it has a clear mission statement concerning the local community or environment. Partnering up to provide a joint service could give you that edge that no-one else in the vicinity has.

Business is all about establishing competitive advantage. Being different and better than others in your particular field. That's not done by simply copying other business ideas. To be different and better demands coming up with a new business idea. A new business model. And then giving it a new and different 'spin'.

Being a social enterprise is part of being different and this alone may tempt many customers to try your product or service but if you're not offering something that is a better and different experience than the competition then those customers won't be back for more!.

If you’d like to know more about developing your business in an innovative way to suit your market, please email info@sparkchallenge.org.uk

• Go back – 10 Steps to a successful social enterprise