Grow your NDIS business based on success

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Often, when it comes to growing our business we can look outwards for the solution, rather than taking a good hard look at what we have to work with in front of us. A good old SWOT analysis is a great starting point for examining the strengths and weaknesses of your business, and then we take things a step further here and look at areas of business that can provide opportunities for growth. 

Uncovering hidden opportunities in your business

Does your current service model work?

For service-based businesses, it’s incredibly important to understand your service model or in other words, the processes involved in delivering your services and the experience your clients have while working with you.  Look at how you currently deliver your services and investigate if there are more successful service models within your business-type in the NDIS industry (or even outside the NDIS) or even borrow concepts from other models that will compliment your client experience i.e. you offer a person-centred (customised) service but you rely on a set of templated questionnaires and offerings that are modified according to the client’s needs and wants.

By being aware of your current service model and the many other ways that service-based businesses operate, you can uncover areas for growth and new opportunities. 

Is your service model serving your business?

Gather and leverage positive client outcomes

Do you already have ways for your current clients to leave you positive feedback that doesn’t involve you asking directly - even though that is one of the most effective ways to get it. Things like regular e-newsletters or scheduled text message check-ins are a great way to build in mechanisms for positive and negative feedback for you to take action on. It also gives your clients (and their families) the time and space to give thoughtful feedback, without having to be in your (or your employees) presence, which could influence their response. 

Do you have ways for your current clients to leave you positive feedback on a regular basis? What do you do with that? Do you have marketing tactics that involve the use of testimonials? Your next business growth opportunity could come through your current client’s feedback.

Are you using (real) testimonials in your marketing?

Popular programs and specialised services

If you run group sessions, events or special occasion services that regularly book out, can you explore the possibility of expanding these offerings to reach a broader audience. In an NDIS context, make sure that you’re up to date with the latest Pricing Guidelines in regards to group sessions, but otherwise, by scaling a proven successful venture you will be able to make a positive impact on a larger scale and grow your business.

Are you offering group or special event services?

Build partnerships and connections

Explore the idea of forming partnerships with other organisations or professionals to enhance service offerings; this doesn’t have to be specifically in the NDIS or disability space, though those are vitally important too. It could be as simple as introducing yourself to the local librarians and coffee shop baristas to let them know what you do and that you’d more than likely have clients with you sometimes. These small community connections can start conversations, build trust and potentially lead to referrals. 

These partnerships and connections can also enhance your service delivery as you’ll have ideas, contacts and input from multiple sources to help you do your job to the best of your ability. 

Do you make a point of connecting with your local community and key professional contacts?

Utilise technology for efficiency

Explore tools and platforms that can streamline service delivery and administrative processes. From cloud accounting and payroll software, to clinical notes and staff scheduling, music (for enjoyment AND when you need to get things done, try isochronic playlists) and even AI to assist with ideas on business operations, staff and client communications and really anything else.

If you have manual processes in your business, chances are there is some form of technology that could help you streamline your offering and open up new areas of opportunity.

Have you embraced technology in your business?

Measuring and tracking success metrics

So you want to grow your business, but is the only thing you’re measuring revenue? If you’re not tracking other success metrics, like new client leads, conversions, retention and client feedback, then you may not be getting the full picture of the ‘successes’ of your business and identifying potential areas of improvement.

Even if you don’t have staff and you are your own boss, if you’re looking for new clients, how many clients can you handle and what sort of retention of clients do you currently have? Is a waiting list something to look into?

To grow your NDIS business, you need to understand it, its numbers and its processes back to front. Once you can see where you’re kicking goals and understand why some areas are lacking, the opportunities for growth open up.

Are you tracking success metrics other than revenue?

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