When you strip away tactics and trends, growth comes down to answering a small set of hard, clarifying questions — and then revisiting them often.
So today we’re going to look at the most important questions every business owner must answer to grow intentionally and sustainably.
And we’re going to have a little fun.
I’m going to number the ideas, and I want you to share the number (or numbers) in the chat, which not only seem important to you, but that you’d like me to go deeper with in future Ed Moments. And don’t worry about needing to take it all in — Conrad will post later on the blog. Just try to pick out something that resonates.
All right, buckle up.
1. Who exactly are we for — and who are we not for?
Growth accelerates with focus. So ask yourself… who is our ideal customer today (not five years ago)? What problem are they actively trying to solve?
If you can’t say this clearly, marketing becomes expensive and sales become inconsistent.
2. What problem do we solve better than anyone else?
Not “what do we sell,” but… what pain do we eliminate? What outcome do we create? Why do customers choose us over alternatives?
Real growth comes from relevance, not volume.
3. What is our unique value — and can our team articulate it in one sentence?
If your customers or employees can’t explain why you’re different, you’ll compete on price, struggle with loyalty, and you’ll plateau faster than you should. Clarity compounds.
4. Where does growth actually come from right now?
Not where you hope it comes from — where it truly comes from. Which products or services drive the most profit? Which channels bring the highest-quality leads? Which relationships generate repeat business or referrals?
Scale what works. Ruthlessly.
5. What is our biggest constraint?
Every business has a bottleneck. Is it lead flow? Conversion? Capacity? Systems? Leadership and decision-making?
Growth is not about doing more — it’s about removing the biggest constraint first.
6. Do we have the right people in the right seats?
Growth exposes talent gaps fast. Who consistently moves the business forward? Who requires constant oversight? What roles are missing or unclear?
You don’t scale effort. You scale people and structure.
7. What numbers truly drive the business?
Not vanity metrics — drivers. Customer acquisition cost, lifetime value, gross margin, cash flow, or sales cycle length?
If you don’t know your numbers, your numbers will control you.
8. How do we create consistency — not just spikes?
Growth isn’t a great month; it’s repeatability. Do we have a predictable sales process? Is marketing systematic or reactive? Can success be replicated by others?
Consistency is the bridge between hustle and scale.
And perhaps the hardest — and most important — question…
9. What must I stop doing as the owner?
What tasks am I doing out of habit, control, or comfort? Where am I limiting the business by being “needed”? What should only I do — and what absolutely shouldn’t I?
Businesses don’t outgrow their owners. They reflect them.
Remember, the businesses that grow fastest aren’t chasing more ideas — they’re answering better questions, more honestly, and more often. Growth starts with clarity. Clarity creates confidence. And confidence drives decisive action.
So which question or questions stand out most for you and your business? I want to know so we can take a deeper dive and create maximum level growth.