In a rapidly evolving business landscape, making the right strategic investments can make or break a company’s future. Experts such as CEOs and founders share their insights on how to navigate these crucial decisions. From prioritizing team development to choosing quality equipment and systems, the article reveals fifteen actionable strategies. Discover the journey of these leaders as they explore the impact of their investments and the long-term savings achieved.
- Invest in Team Development
- Focus on Content Marketing
- Build Your Own Mobile Apps
- Invest in Infrastructure Partnerships
- Commit to Sustainable Products
- Automate Your Supply Chain
- Prioritize Research and Development
- Enhance Customer Onboarding
- Train for Advanced Certifications
- Implement a Top-Tier CRM System
- Invest in Strong Branding
- Replace Fleet with Fuel-Efficient Cars
- Develop a Headless WordPress Backend
- Utilize LinkedIn’s Premium Tools
- Choose Quality Equipment and Systems
Invest in Team Development
I’ve found that strategic investments in team development and training have significantly contributed to our long-term savings and success. By prioritizing professional growth for my team, I’ve fostered a culture of continuous improvement that directly impacts our bottom line.
One stand-out investment was in a comprehensive training program for our customer service team. We recognized that enhancing their communication and problem-solving skills would improve client satisfaction and reduce the time spent on handling inquiries. After implementing the training, we observed a notable decrease in response times and increased customer retention rates. This investment translated to higher revenue and lower costs associated with customer acquisition, as happy customers tend to return and refer others.
For other business leaders, I suggest investing in your team. Assess the skills gaps within your organization and tailor training programs to address these areas. A well-trained team works more efficiently and enhances the overall customer experience. In the long run, this approach can lead to substantial savings and create a loyal customer base that drives sustainable growth for your business. Empowering your team is an investment that pays dividends.
Danielle Hu, Founder, The Wanderlover
Focus on Content Marketing
Strategic investments in content marketing have been a game-changer for my business, AgencyBuilders.com. Inspired by Marcus Sheridan’s approach in “They Ask, You Answer,” we pivoted towards answering specific client questions through detailed guides and case studies. This investment has significantly increased organic traffic, converting curious visitors into loyal clients, ultimately boosting our revenue by about 30% over three years.
Additionally, investing in HubSpot tools and certifications equipped our team with advanced marketing and CRM capabilities. Implementing these tools optimized our operations and improved client acquisition strategies. This led to a 40% increase in client retention rates and streamlined communication, allowing us to service more clients efficiently. These strategic choices have consistently contributed to our growth and stability. Strategic investments have been crucial for my agency’s long-term savings and growth.
Jay Owen, CEO, Business Builders
Build Your Own Mobile Apps
Strategic investments have been crucial to the long-term savings and success of our business. One particularly impactful example was our decision to invest in building our own mobile apps. At the time, our primary product was JetFuel, an influencer-marketing platform designed to help app developers acquire users. We realized that to truly understand our customers’ needs and pain points, we needed to become customers ourselves.
This strategic investment allowed us to gain firsthand experience with the challenges app developers face in a competitive market. We encountered issues with user acquisition, retention, and monetization, providing invaluable insights that we could then use to improve JetFuel. By experiencing these challenges firsthand, we were able to develop more effective solutions and tailor our platform to better meet the needs of our target audience.
This investment paid off in several ways. Firstly, it led to significant product improvements and a stronger value proposition for our customers. Secondly, it enhanced our credibility and strengthened our relationships with app developers, as we could speak their language and empathize with their struggles. Ultimately, this investment contributed to increased customer satisfaction, retention, and long-term growth for our business. By becoming our own customer, we gained a deeper understanding of the market, refined our product, and solidified our position as a trusted partner for app developers.
JJ Maxwell, CEO, Double Finance
Invest in Infrastructure Partnerships
Infrastructure investment and partnerships have created big, long-term savings by reducing overhead and increasing operational efficiency. To give an example of how we have been able to accomplish that, we have invested recently in a facility dedicated to the refurbishment of our equipment, which allowed us to speed up processing and significantly reduce our dependency on external contractors. When these operations were consolidated in-house, we saved on costs and quality control and produced faster client turnarounds while simultaneously increasing equipment life and reuse to transport and preserve clients’ samples sustainably.
Our partnership with FAMECO Group is a standout-only investment. The alliance gave us a strong international standing and laid the basis for refurbishment so we could save immediately on logistics and reach a skilled network without repeating resources. Combining FAMECO’s existing systems together with our own, we realized immediate reductions in our operational costs and major increases in client satisfaction. Besides the cost savings, it had the compound effect of boosting our footprint in the global market by assisting us in strengthening our long-term position.
Joe Reale, CEO, Surplus Solutions
Commit to Sustainable Products
Our narrative of strategic investment closely relates to a crucial choice my brother, Todd, and I made in 2013 that changed not only the course of our company, but also the whole strategy for roof sustainability.
Having run one of the biggest roofing businesses in the country for 25 years, we observed a worrying trend. As asphalt costs surged from changes in oil refining, manufacturers were cutting asphalt content in shingles in response. This meant that roofs weren’t lasting as long as they once were, which presented a major issue for the environment as well as for homeowners.
We decided boldly to sell our profitable roofing business and commit heavily to research and development of environmentally-friendly roofing materials. This was a large strategic investment that needed great faith in our vision. We teamed with Battelle Laboratories, the biggest private R&D company in the world, and made investments in creating a soy-based technology meant to provide aging shingles with some flexibility.
Beyond our best hopes, this investment has paid off. With repeated treatments, our treatment spans the lifetime of a roof and costs roughly 20% of a replacement. One Roof Maxx treatment greatly lowers CO2 emissions and helps to save almost 3.8 tons of waste from landfills. World Bio Markets has named us among the 10 most dynamic startups of 2019; the USDA has certified our product as 86% bio-based.
From a company standpoint, this strategic turn has been transformative. From a conventional roofing company, we have developed into a national network of dealers providing a creative, sustainable solution. More importantly, though, we are tackling a significant environmental issue while enabling property owners to save thousands of dollars on early roof replacements.
Michael Feazel, CEO and Co-Founder, Roof Maxx
Automate Your Supply Chain
Strategic investments have been crucial for our long-term savings and growth. By taking a disciplined approach to investing in the right areas at the right time, we’ve been able to realize significant cost savings and operational efficiencies.
One example that stands out was our investment in supply-chain automation 5 years ago. At the time, it required substantial upfront capital expenditure. However, by implementing advanced warehouse management software and automation technology, we were able to optimize inventory levels, improve picking and packing productivity, and reduce labor costs. Within 3 years, the automation investment had paid for itself through the savings generated. And those savings continue to compound year after year.
The key is taking a strategic perspective—not just looking at short-term costs, but long-term value creation. Having the discipline to invest proactively in assets and capabilities that will drive future productivity is how organizations sustain success. With the right vision and commitment, investments made today can pay dividends for years to come through cost savings and competitive advantages.
Scott Bialek, Co-founder, Hurst Lending
Prioritize Research and Development
Investing in research and development has been a key part of our strategy to stay ahead in a competitive industry. We took a calculated risk by developing new technology to meet a specific market need, and the results were incredibly rewarding. Our new product line delighted our existing customers and drew in new clients.
In the first two years after launch, we saw revenues soar by 150%, proving that the investment was a smart decision. This experience highlighted the vital role of R&D in maintaining our market position while significantly boosting our financial health. It really reinforced the idea that strategic investments in innovation lead to impressive returns and help secure the future of our company.
Gavin Yi, Founder and CEO, Yijin Hardware
Enhance Customer Onboarding
Strategic investments are like planting trees—yes, it takes time, but the shade and fruit later are unbeatable. One investment at Jimo that paid off massively was in a top-notch customer onboarding platform (and no, I don’t just say that because onboarding is our jam!). By investing early in robust onboarding software, we weren’t just looking to give users a smooth start; we were reducing churn and support costs in the long run.
Previously, a lot of our support resources were tied up in helping new users get set up. By implementing an intuitive, self-guided onboarding flow with built-in tips, interactive demos, and personalized progress tracking, we managed to cut down first-month churn significantly. Users got up and running faster, needed less hand-holding, and—most importantly—started realizing value on their own terms.
The long-term savings? Lower support costs, happier customers, and fewer drop-offs. Plus, a better onboarding experience meant users stuck around longer and were more likely to upgrade, creating a steady increase in lifetime value. Investing in user success from day one might seem costly upfront, but when customers are satisfied and self-sufficient, the ROI is undeniable.
Thomas Moussafer, Co-Founder, Jimo
Train for Advanced Certifications
In 2021, we invested in training our electricians to become Level 2 ASP (Accredited Service Provider) certified. It wasn’t a small investment, both in terms of time and money. The training itself was intensive, requiring our team to step away from day-to-day jobs to focus on learning the advanced skills needed to work directly with the electrical network. We had to cover the costs of the courses, plus the time our guys were off the job. Honestly, there were moments when I questioned if we were doing the right thing. It’s tough to put resources into something when you’re not immediately seeing a return.
But the shift was almost immediate once the certifications were in place. That Level 2 ASP certification allowed us to take on a whole new category of work. Suddenly, we were eligible for projects that included connecting homes and businesses directly to the power grid, handling metering services, and taking on bigger, more complex installations that most electricians couldn’t touch. It positioned us as a go-to provider for more technical jobs, and it separated us from the crowd in a pretty competitive market. It wasn’t just about being able to do more work, but about being able to do the kind of work that paid better and had more long-term contracts attached.
This shift meant that instead of scrambling for smaller residential jobs or relying heavily on word-of-mouth for the next gig, we were securing larger, higher-value projects. We were getting calls for work that required expertise and certification from developers and businesses who needed reliable connections and trusted that we had the qualifications to do it right. This led to a steadier flow of projects and reduced those quiet periods when we used to struggle to keep everyone busy. Now, our revenue became more predictable, and we could plan better for the future.
Daniel Vasilevski, Director & Owner, Bright Force Electrical
Implement a Top-Tier CRM System
Strategic investments are a key part of building efficiency and long-term growth. By focusing on technology, professional development, and client experience, we make decisions that streamline our operations and enhance the value we bring to our clients. Investing in these areas has allowed us to operate more smoothly, deliver exceptional service, and save resources in the long run.
One example is our investment in a top-tier CRM system tailored to the real estate market. Early on, we recognized that managing client relationships and tracking transactions manually was time-consuming and left room for error. By implementing a powerful CRM, we automated tasks, improved our follow-up processes, and gained valuable insights into our client data. This investment paid off by freeing our agents’ time to focus on relationship-building and sales, ultimately boosting productivity and client satisfaction.
As a result, we saw a noticeable increase in repeat business and referrals, saving marketing costs over time. The CRM also provided robust reporting tools, allowing us to make data-driven decisions that continue to impact our bottom line. This strategic investment has yielded long-term savings and strengthened our competitive edge.
Justin Landis, Founder, Justin Landis Group
Invest in Strong Branding
Investing in branding changed my packaging business. I realized that a strong brand identity was crucial for standing out in a competitive market, so I rolled up my sleeves and got to work changing our logo, creating eye-catching packaging, and fine-tuning our messaging to connect properly with our target audience.
The results were excellent! Not only did customer awareness increase drastically, but so did loyalty. Within a year, our sales increased by 30 percent. It was exciting to watch customers interact with our brand on a deeper level; they weren’t just buying packaging—they were investing in what we represented.
This experience showed me that investing in your brand is more than aesthetics; it’s also about building trust and emotional customer relationships. The effort I put into branding not only separated us from competitors but also created a platform for long-term growth. It’s one of those moments when you realize your investment has paid off in more ways than one!
Yangyang Li, Co-Operator, ForestPackage
Replace Fleet with Fuel-Efficient Cars
As an operations manager for a shipping company, I can attest that replacing our fleet with fuel-efficient cars was a wise strategic move. Even though it was expensive upfront, there were substantial long-term savings in both fuel expenditures and lower repair costs due to fewer maintenance problems. We were able to reduce idle times and improve routes by monitoring vehicle performance in real-time, which resulted in even greater savings.
An additional advantage was the decrease in our carbon footprint, which not only matched the eco-friendly preferences but also created new chances for collaboration with businesses that place a high priority on sustainability. Our financial performance and environmental impact both increased as a result of this investment, further enhancing the reputation of our brand.
Yuting Shu, Operation Manager, Allwayforward
Develop a Headless WordPress Backend
Strategic investments have been instrumental in driving long-term savings for my business. One pivotal investment that paid off was allocating resources to develop a headless WordPress backend, which serves as the content hub for our blogging platform. By decoupling the backend from the frontend, we were able to utilize React for the frontend, allowing for faster content delivery and a more seamless user experience. This investment enabled us to reduce server load, minimize maintenance costs, and increase development speed.
A specific instance where this investment paid off was when we experienced a sudden surge in traffic due to a viral blog post. Our headless WordPress backend, paired with the React frontend, allowed us to handle the increased traffic without any downtime or performance issues. This resulted in a 30% reduction in server costs and a 20% increase in page load speed, ultimately leading to higher user engagement and revenue growth. This experience highlights the importance of strategic investments in driving business efficiency and scalability. By investing in modern technologies and architectures, businesses can unlock significant long-term savings and competitive advantages.
Michael Sumner, Founder and CEO, ScoreDetect.com
Utilize LinkedIn’s Premium Tools
Investing in LinkedIn’s premium tools has been invaluable for my consulting business in the mining and natural-resources industry.
With LinkedIn Sales Navigator, I’ve been able to narrow down my network to highly targeted contacts, which has directly led to higher-quality leads and long-term contracts with clients who need specialized consulting. This targeted outreach not only saved me time but also significantly cut costs that would have gone into traditional advertising or broader marketing campaigns. Over time, this investment in LinkedIn has paid off by streamlining my business-development process and bringing in clients who fit my expertise perfectly.
Previn Pillay, Industrial Consultant, Pyromin Consulting
Choose Quality Equipment and Systems
Strategic investments in quality tools and efficient systems have been key to long-term savings at Ozzie Mowing & Gardening. With over 15 years of experience, I know that choosing the right equipment and methods can save both time and money while delivering the best results to clients.
One investment that stands out is the purchase of a high-quality, commercial-grade mower. Initially, it was a significant expense, but my horticultural expertise led me to choose a model that not only delivered an excellent cut but also required less maintenance and had a longer lifespan. This saved us from frequent breakdowns and costly repairs that lower-grade equipment often incurs. By cutting maintenance downtime and reducing repair costs, this investment has consistently boosted our productivity, allowing us to take on more clients without sacrificing quality.
Another example is our adoption of a software system to streamline scheduling and client communications. My understanding of client needs and efficient garden management helped me select a system that automated reminders, job tracking, and invoicing. This move has not only saved administrative hours but also improved client satisfaction by ensuring seamless communication and timely services.
Over time, it’s reduced the chances of missed appointments and minimized time lost in organizing schedules manually. These strategic investments reflect the benefit of industry knowledge combined with a proactive approach, allowing us to operate more efficiently while enhancing the customer experience.
Andrew Osborne, Owner, Ozzie Mowing & Gardening
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