Where does business feedback come from and why it matters
Recently, I attended a Marketing Collective event run by Lucy Bolan, and during our conversation, she asked a simple but powerful question:
"As business owners, where do we get feedback on how we’re doing?"
It’s a question that really stuck with me. As business leaders, we are often so focused on execution, marketing campaigns, operations, sales - that we rarely step back and ask, “How are we really performing?”
The feedback gap
Unlike employees who have managers, KPIs, and performance reviews, business owners don’t automatically have a system for feedback. Left unchecked, this can lead to blind spots: areas where we think we’re doing well but may be missing opportunities for improvement, growth, or efficiency.
Feedback can come from many places:
Clients and customers - their experiences tell you what’s working and where you can improve
Suppliers and partners - they see your operations from the outside and can offer valuable insights
Fellow business owners you network with - peers can provide honest, experienced perspectives on challenges, strategy, and opportunities
Mentors and business coaches - they provide an objective perspective, helping you spot blind spots and refine strategy
Why external input matters
Having trusted external voices is crucial. Business coaches don’t just cheerlead; they challenge assumptions, question processes, and hold you accountable to your goals. Suppliers and partners can highlight operational gaps. Fellow business owners can offer relatable insights from their own experiences that you might not have considered.
When you actively seek feedback from these sources, you get:
Clearer insight into your strengths and weaknesses
Better decision making based on real world input
Opportunities to refine processes, improve offerings, and grow sustainably
Turning feedback into growth
Feedback is only valuable if you act on it. A few practical steps include:
Ask deliberately - reach out to clients, suppliers and fellow business owners in your network.
Document and reflect - capture insights and review them regularly. Look for patterns, not one-off comments.
Take action - implement small improvements first, then scale changes across your business.
Measure impact - track outcomes to understand whether changes are moving the needle.
Business feedback isn’t always easy to come by, but it’s essential for growth. Whether it’s through a business coach, trusted suppliers, engaged clients or peers in your network, seeking and acting on feedback can transform how your business operates, performs, and grows.
Next time you’re wondering how your business is really doing, ask yourself: Who’s giving me honest feedback and am I listening?
At Growth Lane Marketing, we help businesses not only create effective marketing strategies but also build the right support system to grow confidently.
Ready to close your feedback gap and turn insights into growth?
At Growth Lane Marketing, we help business owners not only develop effective marketing strategies but also create the support system to get honest feedback, make smarter decisions, and grow with confidence.
Let’s chat about how you can start getting the feedback that actually moves your business forward.