Four Steps to Running a Successful Business From Another City

If you’re an entrepreneur or a small business owner, you probably got into business for one of the top reasons others do: money, freedom, or impact. But it might have had something to do with a desire for geographical independence, too.

The question is: Do you have the same passion for the city where you operate as you do for your business? If not, there’s no reason for you to be there full-time.

You might not be able to move your entire business, but you can move yourself. Whether that means working remotely from a coffee shop or moving to another part of the world, a new environment can be a huge boost to your creativity as a leader and can help expand your network.

Your move will demonstrate trust in your staff, empowering them to help take your company to the next level — as long as you know how to execute the transition.

1. Do a trial run. A few months before moving to New York from St. Louis, I stopped going to the office as much. I’d work from home and go in about once a week. Because I was already gone most of the time, nobody missed me when I moved (at least not in a managerial way).

2. Hire a strong management team. A few key leaders oversee our operations in St. Louis and work directly with the rest of the team. If I were personally responsible for daily oversight of individual team members, a move would be impossible for me. Realize that not every decision will be made exactly as you would have made it — and that’s a good thing. A sense of autonomy allows your team to grow without over-reliance on you. It’s amazing to see who rises to the challenge after you cut the cord.

3. Go hybrid virtual. If you can work remotely, chances are that others on your team can, too. Studies show that a flexible work schedule benefits employees in many ways, improving health and happiness. You can act as an example for your employees and encourage them to take advantage of the flexibility by working from home part-time or going exclusively remote.

4. Ditch geographic marketing. If your business is totally focused on a single locale and business development is a big part of your job, then it can be very difficult to relocate. You’ll need systems in place to reach clients all over the world. For the past few years, my company has focused on building a marketing machine that attracts leads worldwide. In fact, we’re now so geared for international business that local opportunities near our headquarters in St. Louis (which can require more overhead) often seem less attractive.

Following these steps will help position your business to be stronger, more flexible, and fully modern. You will see big changes in your company’s growth and in your team’s leadership skills — you’ll just be viewing them from a distance.

Entrepreneur and Wall Street Journal best-selling author Josh Turner is considered one of the leading experts in utilizing LinkedIn to grow your business. He’s the founder and CEO of LinkedSelling, a B2B marketing firm that specializes in LinkedIn lead generation campaigns. Josh also operates Linked University, an online training program for LinkedIn marketing. Learn more about Josh’s LinkedIn and business expertise in his books “Connect” and “Booked.”