How to grow your business into a 'small giant'

A big company is not necessarily a great company.

Leaders of great companies have their own definitions of success, including being unique.

Peer companies recognize their excellence in the field.

They contribute to and are influenced by their communities.

They don’t grow so big that employees don’t know one another.

Their founders know who they are and what they want.

Clif Bar’s Gary Erickson passed on selling his company because it didn’t feel right.

By choice, small giants grow where they are planted.

Employees come first, because they directly influence the customers’ experiences.

Even great companies must adapt to change or lose business.

Success comes down to leadership and relationships.

Make the customer feel as though you care about them personally.

Study other companies and learn from them.