The Zig and Zag growth strategy is a powerful approach that has helped many businesses achieve long-term success. It helps you stay ahead of the curve and adapt to changing market conditions.

In this article, we will explore the process of creating a Zig and Zag growth strategy, real world examples of businesses that have implemented this approach, the limitations and challenges of this strategy, and how businesses can use the right tools and techniques to implement it effectively.

Whether you're a startup or an established company, understanding the Zig and Zag growth strategy and how to apply it can help you stay competitive and achieve long-term success.

• What is a Zig & Zag growth strategy?
• 5 Steps To Create A Zig & Zag Growth Strategy
• Real world examples of Zig and Zag Growth Strategy
• Limitations of the Zig and Zag Growth Strategy
• 5 top ways that you can use to implement Zig and Zag growth strategy
• Conclusion

What is a Zig & Zag growth strategy?

The Zig and Zag business growth strategy involves making strategic shifts and adjustments in response to changes in the market, competition, or customer needs.

This strategy is characterized by a willingness to experiment, take risks, and make changes in order to stay ahead of the curve.

Both big businesses such as Amazon, Netflix, Apple, and Airbnb and small businesses such as pet bakeries, have embraced the Zig and Zag growth strategy by making changes in response to market conditions.

Let us understand how Zig & Zag business growth strategy will provide you an edge over your business competition.

5 Steps To Create A Zig & Zag Growth Strategy

Creating a zigzag strategy for a small business involves developing a flexible and adaptable plan that allows the business to respond to changes in the market, customer needs, and other factors that may impact the business.

Let's break it down into five easy steps.

• Identify Your Competitors
  The first step is to figure out who your competition is. Take a look at what they're doing, and then do the opposite.
  
  
  If they're going left, you go right. If they're going up, you go down.
  
  For example, if you're a coffee shop and your competitor offers free Wi-Fi, remove your Wi-Fi and make it a social space where people can disconnect from technology and engage with one another.
   
• Define Your Niche
  
  
  Now, it's time to define your niche. Find a gap in the market and fill it.
  
  For example, if you're a clothing store and your competition only carries casual wear, offer formal wear instead.
  
  Become the go-to store for people who need to dress up for special events.
   
• Get Creative
  Do something that your competition would never think to do.
  
  
  For example, if you're a pet store and your competition offers grooming services, offer doggie yoga classes.
   
• Market Your Uniqueness
  Spread the word about your new niche and your creative offerings. Use social media, flyers, and word of mouth to get people talking.
  
  
  For example, if you're a bookstore and your competition only carries mainstream bestsellers, advertise your selection of indie authors and host a book club for alternative literature.
   
• Monitor Your Success
  Finally, it's important to monitor your success. Keep track of what's working and what's not. If something isn't working, don't be afraid to pivot and try something new.
  
  
  For example, if you're a restaurant and your doggie yoga classes aren't attracting customers, try hosting a trivia night instead.
  
  Now, go forth and shake things up in the business world!

Examples of Zig & Zag Growth Strategy

Here are five real world case studies of small businesses that have successfully implemented the Zig and Zag strategy:

• The Upside-Down Salon
  
  A hair salon in Portland, Oregon flipped their salon upside down by offering haircuts to customers while they hung upside down from a yoga swing.
  
  The salon quickly became the talk of the town, attracting adventurous customers and gaining national media attention.
   
• The Bike Shop turned Bar
  
  A bike shop in San Francisco, California decided to zag by transforming into a bar after hours.
  
  The shop-turned-bar now serves local beer and hosts trivia nights, while still offering bike repairs during the day. They've become a popular spot for cyclists and non-cyclists alike.
   
• The Pet Bakery
  A bakery in Seattle, Washington zagged by offering treats exclusively for pets.
  
  They've become a go-to spot for dog and cat owners who want to spoil their furry friends with homemade goodies. The bakery even offers birthday cakes for pets, which has become a hit with customers.
   
• The Ice Cream Truck for Adults
  An ice cream truck in Austin, Texas zigged by creating a mobile bar on wheels.
  
  The truck now serves boozy ice cream concoctions, making it a popular spot for adult gatherings like weddings and corporate events.
   
• The Coffee Shop with No Wi-Fi
  A coffee shop in Brooklyn, New York zagged by removing Wi-Fi from their establishment.
  
  They instead encourage customers to unplug and engage with each other in person. The coffee shop has become a popular spot for artists and writers who seek inspiration and solitude without the distractions of technology.

All these businesses have successfully implemented the Zig & Zag strategy by offering unique and unexpected services or products, standing out from their competition and attracting a dedicated following.

So don't be afraid to shake things up and zag where others zig!

Limitations of the Zig and Zag Growth Strategy

Here are some of the challenges that small businesses may face when using a Zig & Zag strategy:

• Unpredictability
  Since the Zig & Zag strategy involves taking a non-traditional approach, it can be unpredictable. Small businesses may not know what lies ahead when they take a new approach, making it difficult to plan for the future.
  
  For example, a small restaurant may decide to use a Zig & Zag strategy by offering unique menu items that no other restaurant in the area has ever offered.
  
  While this approach could attract new customers, there's no guarantee that these customers will stick around in the long term.
   
• Resource limitations
  Small businesses may not have the resources necessary to execute a Zig & Zag strategy.
  
  For example, a small retail store may decide to use a Zig & Zag strategy by hosting a special event or launching a unique marketing campaign.
  
  However, if the store doesn't have enough staff or funding to properly execute the strategy, it could end up doing more harm than good.
   
• Difficulty in measuring success
  Since the Zig & Zag strategy involves taking a non-traditional approach, it can be difficult to measure success.
  
  For example, a small e-commerce store may decide to use a Zig & Zag strategy by offering personalized product recommendations to customers.
  
  While this approach may increase sales, it can be difficult to measure the impact on the store's bottom line.
   
• Time-consuming
  The Zig & Zag strategy often involves experimentation, trial and error, and taking risks. As a result, it can be time-consuming for small businesses.
  
  For example, a small marketing agency may decide to use a Zig & Zag strategy by experimenting with new marketing channels or messaging.
  
  While this approach could lead to breakthrough results, it could also take a lot of time and resources to get there.

Overall, while the Zig & Zag strategy can be an effective tool for small businesses, it's important to approach it with caution and be prepared for the potential challenges and limitations that may arise.

5 ways to implement Zig & Zag growth strategy

Conclusion

The Zig and Zag growth strategy is a powerful approach that can help businesses stay ahead of the curve and achieve long-term success. 

By being willing to experiment, take risks, and make strategic shifts, businesses can adapt to changing market conditions and continue to grow and thrive. 

The process of creating a Zig and Zag growth strategy involves several key steps, including market research, idea generation, experimentation, and strategic planning. 

To implement the Zig and Zag growth strategy effectively, businesses can use a variety of techniques, such as customer feedback surveys, A/B testing, rapid prototyping, competitor analysis, and innovation workshops. 

By applying these techniques and embracing the principles of the Zig and Zag growth strategy, businesses can position themselves for long-term success in a rapidly evolving market.

If you're a business owner or entrepreneur looking to implement the Zig and Zag growth strategy, consider trying out some of the techniques discussed in this article.

Remember to be open to experimentation, take calculated risks, and make strategic shifts to stay ahead of the curve and drive growth. By adopting this approach, you can position your business for long-term success in an ever-changing market.

Other Small Business Growth Strategies

This is article 5, of an ongoing 14-part series on Small Business Growth Strategies.

In this series, we take one growth strategy, dive in-depth into it, and make it actionable for your small business.

The other articles in this series, so far are:

1. Create A Viral Loop Program That Causes Ripples In Your Small Business Market
2. Unlock the Full Potential of Referral Marketing with Milestone Referral Programs 
3. Boost Your Small Business Growth with a Viral Word of Mouth Strategy
4. Top Tools and Proven Strategies for Successful In-Person Outreach

For more small business growth marketing ideas check here.

Choose Smart Business
Process Transformation

From Spectrum Consulting

Discover 3 Reasons Why

Meet Your Business Process Outsourcing Partner

Spectrum Consulting helps small businesses and trusted advisors to small businesses, with business process outsourcing services.

Specifically, we help you with outsourced execution of non-core activities... Admin, HR, Finance...

The benefits to you: You scale without the pains of hiring, training, and attrition. You get to spend time with your family and loved ones, plus gain competitive advantage for your business.

If you are a business with 20-200 employees in Australia or New Zealand, we’d be happy to show you ways to save between 40-60% on non-core staff costs even while you grow.

Write to us for a FREE 60-min, no-obligation consultation now.

Feedback & Comments

We’d love to hear if this article has helped your small business in tough times like now.

For more cool ideas subscribe to our Newsletter on SME Growth.

Comment away and also share this article with friends who might enjoy a read like this.