You don’t have a clear thought leader in your organization, but no big deal, right? Think again.   It may be holding you back. 

The lack of a thought leadership strategy – this is growth blocker #6 that my colleague Eric Rudolf and I identified in our conversation on the 10 most common blockers preventing tech businesses from scaling from $1M to $10M in revenue.  

Thought leadership is not merely about promoting your business or its products; it’s about helping to shape the industry you’re in, as well as leading the conversation within your industry. 

This is especially powerful for early-stage businesses in emerging markets. By establishing your company’s thought leadership, you get to help define the industry, its problems, and your company’s place within it.

Many companies, however, neglect this crucial opportunity. 

“Most companies don’t have that one person who’s that combination of willing and able to face a camera, to be the face of the message… and that’s a big miss,” Eric says. 

Not putting a thought leader forward can mean companies miss out on the opportunity to leverage essentially free platforms like speaking engagements, podcasts, short form videos, interviews, and opinion pieces.

The challenge often lies in finding the right person. Who within your company is both knowledgeable and comfortable being the face of your message? This individual doesn’t have to be the CEO. Look for someone passionate about the industry, articulate, and confident in front of an audience.

Thought leadership content can be cost-effective, and it can help position the company as a pioneer and an authority. This can be a crucial advantage when attracting clients, investors, and talent who are looking for leaders in a new and developing field.

By influencing how the industry is perceived, thought leaders can elevate their company’s profile and contribute fundamentally to the shaping of their entire sector. Investing in thought leadership can help establish your company as a trusted authority. It can be a crucial advantage when attracting clients, investors, and talent who are looking for leaders in a new and developing field, and ultimately, help you achieve that coveted $10M milestone.