Consider Diversifying Your Business

Now that Spring is just around the corner, lets talk about one way of making an exciting new change to your business as part of some spring cleaning.

A while back there was some interesting speculation that turned out to become a reality, Google has launched a new program to comparison shop for auto insurance. The company set up an entity named Google Compare Auto Insurance Services Inc. and got licensed to do business in a majority of states (although they still appear to be working on their support for CO). Additionally, they built up relationships with several big-named insurance companies like MetLife, and Mercury Insurance. Google also appears to be working with CoverHound, an existing insurance comparison service. Google has already been offering insurance comparison shopping in the United Kingdom since 2012.

While Google is an enormous company, it is important to note how they have not lost their entrepreneurial spirit. Google has not been afraid to try new things and to diversify their company from everything from its search engine and web ads to developing cell phones and now getting into the insurance industry.

Understandably, smaller businesses may not have the resources or capital available to make big leaps or changes into other market sectors, but there are still important business principles and lessons to be learned. Fundamentally, that is that just like a good investment portfolio, diversifying may be key to your business’ long-term stable growth in the modern, dynamic economy. Even if you are not able to make big jumps into other business areas, you may be able to diversify in simpler or smaller ways that are less capital intensive and more closely related to what you already do.

Think about what your business does at its most fundamental level, then try to branch out  into thinking about the areas that your does not do. Basically, what are your business’ current boundaries? Are there things that your business has to contract out to have done for it or that you have to refer your customers elsewhere to have accomplished? Remember that these areas can exist both vertically (such as part of your supply chain) or horizontally (such as related services). Try to evaluate practically what costs and concerns would be involved in branching out to some of these other areas. Which areas would be the easiest for you to try out?

After all, it was probably your entrepreneurial spirit that got you into starting your small business in the first place, and you should consider keeping that excitement alive by trying new things with your business. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you make these diversifying decisions carefully, after much thinking and discussion with your business partners, consultants, as well as legal counsel and other advisors, so you can get their opinions on the risks and other considerations involved.

If you are considering branching out to new areas with your business, do not hesitate to reach out for legal help and guidance from the Law Office of E.C. Lewis, PC, home of your Denver Business Attorney, Elizabeth Lewis, at 720-258-6647 or email her at elizabeth.lewis@eclewis.com.