Are you missing this simple next step in your business?

Published: Wed, 09/17/25

Updated: Wed, 09/17/25

Aloha Entrepreneurs,

Moving out is never easy, but moving in feels even harder. Right now, I’m still searching for my everyday flatware so I don’t have to keep eating with a plastic spoon! Through it all, I’m sticking to my mantra: “Go with the flow.” I know that soon everything will have its place—and that thought keeps me energized.

I’m also leaning into minimalism. Whenever I catch myself asking, “Will I really need this someday?” that item heads straight to the thrift store. It made me realize: business growth works the same way. We can easily hold on to “someday” ideas, opportunities, or connections, but the real progress comes when we choose the next step that matters most.

That’s what I want to share with you this week—The Next Step Strategy. It’s a simple shift that can transform every conversation you have into an opportunity for growth.

Here's my afternoon tea view from my window!

The Next Step Strategy

As entrepreneurs, we grow our businesses with new leads, new customers, and new clients. One of the strategies I teach my coaching clients is the value of having meaningful conversations and knowing how to guide those conversations to the next step.

I call this approach “The Next Step Strategy.”

In these conversations, we’re not just selling—we’re connecting. We learn about people, their interests, their challenges, and their goals. Along the way, we discover where our services or products may help solve a problem or add real value.

Sometimes we talk about family, lifestyle, or hobbies. We recognize their passions and uncover what we have in common. Building relationships takes time. Some people open up easily, while others are more guarded. The key is to keep the focus on them—their needs, their story and always go to their next step.

Here are 5 ways to take conversations to the next step:

Initiate a coffee chat: When you meet someone at a networking event (online or in-person) and discover common ground, invite them for a coffee—virtual or real. It’s a simple next step to deepen the relationship.
Collaborate with like-minded people. Collaborations open doors. This could look like co-hosting a webinar, sharing each other’s content, or brainstorming ways to serve a shared audience.
Offer a helpful resource: After a good conversation, send along a free guide, a checklist, or a recommendation that aligns with their needs. This builds trust without pressure.
Introduce them to someone valuable: Making a connection for them—whether it’s a potential client, partner, or resource—shows you’re genuinely invested in their success.
Invite them to take the next step with you; When the timing is right, share how you can help further—whether that’s through your product, service, or a planning session.

The beauty of the Next Step Strategy is that it removes the “hard sell” and replaces it with authentic connection. Every conversation becomes an opportunity to strengthen a relationship and move forward with clarity.

Make sure you listen to my interview with Caterina Rando who shares with you how to TRACK your follow ups and next steps.

I've taken a short break from my youtube channel because of my "move", but have some excellent interviews lined up coming soon. So, don't forget to subscribe.

Just like I’m creating space in my new home by letting go of what I don’t need, the Next Step Strategy helps you clear the clutter in your business conversations.

Ready to discover your own next steps for business growth? Let’s map them out together in a Planning Session.

Until next week,

Gale Bates, Your "BIG BOLD GOALS” Mentor

P.S. Have you heard of Leonie Dawson? She's a very successful business coach from Australia who offers some great tips on learning how to run a successful business. I've bought many of her courses and have now become an affiliate for her work. You can click here to learn more about her offers.

mymentorbiz, P.O. Box 760, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA

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