01 Nov ROI (Return on Investment) & Why it’s the Only Thing That Matters in Business
Let’s talk about the only thing that matters in business, ROI, and how do you get it quickly. No gimmicks, just straight business reality. #GISAIDIT
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When it comes to running a business, there’s one concept you cannot afford to ignore—ROI, or Return on Investment. And I’ll be straight with you—if gaining ROI isn’t your top priority, you’ve already lost the plot.
Here’s the deal. The entire purpose of starting a business is to make money. Period. End of story. It’s not about chasing trends or flaunting your stance on whatever social justice cause is buzzing this month. Sure, some companies sprinkle in activism to get customers’ attention, but don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s genuine. These businesses aren’t your “tribe” or your moral compass. They’re here to cash a check, end of discussion.
ROI is the lifeblood of any operation. You might be raking in revenue, but if you’re burning through more cash than you’re pulling in, that’s not success—that’s financial suicide. Businesses exist to create value for customers AND to ensure the company can pay the bills, take care of its team, and turn a profit.
What is ROI? (And Why Should You Care?)
ROI, or Return on Investment, is about one thing—making your money work harder than you do. For every dollar you put into your business, whether for marketing, hiring, or development, you need to see more than a dollar coming back. It’s the “what’s in it for me” of business decisions.
Why care? Because businesses unable to deliver ROI won’t last. And yet, so many entrepreneurs treat ROI like an afterthought—a big mistake. If you’re not focused on ROI from day one, anything else you do is just noise.
The Leadership Factor in ROI
Now here’s the kicker—most businesses fail at achieving ROI because their leadership is flat-out clueless. Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
I don’t care if you have the best product on the planet or your funding resembles a small country’s GDP. With the wrong leadership, your business will go precisely nowhere. ROI isn’t a class you take in school and ace with an A+. Real leadership comes from experience. You learn it in the trenches, from failure, trial, and working with people who’ve already figured it out. Nothing replaces that.
You know what kills ROI faster than incompetence? Ego. The “I-don’t-need-help” mentality or the need to “feel in charge.” Listen—it’s not about you. It’s about your customers. It’s about delivering the value they’re paying for. Narcissists don’t run successful businesses; problem-solvers do.
Why Business Isn’t About Politics (And Never Was)
I’ll just say it—your customers don’t care about your political views. Sure, businesses love to hop onto trending causes because it gets them customers who say, “Wow, this brand supports XYZ. I’ll spend my money here.” Trust me, it’s a game. They’re not doing it for you. They’re doing it for your dollar.
I’m not saying you can’t align your brand with values you care about. I’m saying your activism won’t keep the lights on if you’re not first focusing on profitability. Prioritize ROI. If your business has the cash flow and stability, then and only then should you even consider dabbling in external causes or big-picture statements. Heck, even then, it’s optional.
Cracking the ROI Code
Okay, so how do you actually achieve ROI? It looks simple on paper, but most businesses still mess it up.
- Get the Right Leadership.
The first step to fixing any ROI problem is having leaders who get it. And leadership boils down to people who understand market dynamics, consumer behavior, and how to sell—or people willing to learn from those who do.
Pro tip? Hire people smarter than you—or at least those who’ve been down the road you’re about to walk. Experience is priceless, and so is guidance from someone who’s been there, done that.
- Simplify Your Focus.
Forget the fluff. Your focus should be tightening operations, tweaking products/services to better match market demand, and improving efficiency. ROI doesn’t magically appear—it’s created when your business generates more value while spending less to do it.
- Measure Everything.
Can you even track your ROI right now? If you’re making gut decisions without digging into the numbers, stop immediately. Measure everything—ad performance, customer acquisition cost, churn rate, you name it. What gets measured gets managed.
- Kill the Ego.
It’s not about you. If your product sucks, accept it. Fix it. If your pricing is off, adjust it. Put pride aside and listen to the feedback (even the negative stuff—it’s gold). ROI rewards those who stay adaptable.
- Market Like You Mean It.
ROI doesn’t just come from cutting costs; it also comes from increasing value and outreach. But don’t waste money throwing spaghetti at the wall. Invest in marketing strategies that are data-driven and proven to convert.
- Deliver Real Value.
Stop over-promising and under-delivering. Your customers will see right through it. Craft offers that solve actual problems and overdeliver when it comes to results. Happy customers = repeat customers = better ROI. Simple math.
ROI First, Drama Later
Don’t get it twisted—ROI has to come first. Always. I’m not sugar-coating this because the hard truth is most businesses fail because they ignore it.
When ROI is stable and predictable, you get the luxury of choice. Whether that’s growing your team, investing in other causes, or simply taking time to celebrate wins, you can’t do any of it without positive ROI at the core of your business.
Experience is the game-changer here. It’s not just about you figuring it all out on your own—it’s about leveraging those who’ve already succeeded. Find mentors. Ask questions. Get out of your own way. Drop the ego, pick up the humility, and stay laser-focused on ROI until it becomes second nature.
Where Do Most Fail?
The number one mistake businesses make is thinking good intentions can substitute for a well-run operation. Passion is great, but it won’t pay the bills. ROI isn’t some buzzword to sprinkle into investor meetings. It’s your business’s north star.
Another failure? Getting too caught up in trends or public pressure. I’ll say it again—it’s BUSINESS. It’s about creating value while keeping operations running efficiently and profitably. Anything else? White noise.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the unapologetic truth—ROI doesn’t care about your opinions or your feelings. It cares about results. If you want to “chase your dreams,” that’s fine, but if your dreams include running a business, you better learn to live, breathe, and eat ROI.
You don’t need to master this overnight. But you do need to start taking it seriously right now. Invest in the right people, make better decisions, track your results, and never, ever settle for mediocrity.
GI’s unique perspective delivered in a style that is unapologetically honest, straight to the point, and at times a bit brutal. GI SAID IT: Brutally honest, no BS. Click for more GI SAID IT shows and articles.
GI is a show host, author, and advisor whose experience expands across multiple industries including the music industry, marketing and branding, and tech. This diverse experience has shaped his perspective on various topics in which he delivers in a style that is unapologetically honest, straight to the point, and at times a bit brutal. Brutally honest, with no BS.
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