We are thrilled to announce that Incline Marketing has secured a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. for the second consecutive year, coming in at #415 out of 5,000 companies.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative strategies that have fueled our growth. But it's a bigger statement for our clients who have trusted and stuck with us throughout the years.
Today, we want to share the journey that led to us making the list, dissect the key moves that put us in a position to hit it, and show you how you can put together a playbook to make the list in the coming years!
How the Inc. 5000 List Works
Making the Inc. 5000 list is one of the more prestigious awards a private company can achieve in the US. Every year companies are ranked based on their percentage of revenue growth over a three-year period.
The neat part in making this list isn't just about achieving rapid growth; it reflects a company's ability to sustain and build upon that growth over time. Being on this list signifies true excellence in business performance and a commitment to scaling successfully.
Our Journey to The List
Long before we made it on the Inc. 5000 list, Incline Marketing was a burgeoning agency with a vision to revolutionize how businesses approach marketing. We began with a clear mission: to deliver exceptional marketing solutions that drive tangible results for our clients.
The journey was not without its challenges, but our commitment to growth and innovation laid a strong foundation. We really focused on 3 key strategies that fueled our growth:
1. Setting Aggressive Growth Goals
Growth doesn't happen by accident; it requires intentional effort and strategic planning. Early on, we made a conscious decision to set aggressive growth goals. This meant shifting our focus from just maintaining a stable business to actively seeking opportunities for expansion and improvement.
We tackled complacency head-on by regularly evaluating our progress and adjusting our strategies to meet evolving market demands. This proactive approach ensured that we were always pushing the boundaries and striving for excellence.
2. Investing in Marketing Smartly
Marketing is a cornerstone of any successful business strategy, and we understand the importance of investing wisely in this area. Rather than adopting a "one-size-fits-all" approach, we embraced a multi-channel marketing strategy.
We invested heavily in resources and headcount for paid advertising, SEO, email marketing, and website development. We saw a gap in the market for an agency that can act as your internal team and actually move the needle. Which leads me to…
3. Scaling Operations WHILE Enhancing Customer Experience
As our client base grew, so did the need for efficient operations and beyond-exceptional customer service. We began scaling differently - with W2 workers, not an army of outsourced help. We implemented robust systems and processes, knowing that our team of experts could improve upon and perfect these over time.
Our commitment to the customer experience was paramount. We continuously sought feedback from our clients and used it to refine our services. This client-centric approach not only helped us retain existing clients but also attracted new ones through positive word-of-mouth and referrals.
Your Path To Being A Fastest Growing Company
There are a million different factors that can lead to the hyper-growth of a company. You can have an amazing product that solves a critical problem. You can have killer marketing that introduces your brand to the world. You can have a world-class customer experience that creates a buzz worldwide. The list goes on and on.
But here are 3 things that we believe if you can achieve, the Inc. 5000 list is now on your horizon:
1. Strong Company Culture and Leadership
At Incline Marketing, we believe that a strong company culture is integral to our success. Our leadership team fosters an environment of collaboration, innovation, and recognition. And that last one is a big one!
Rarely will team members admit they want or need recognition, but it's super important for everyone in your organization. That's why we invested in a service called Matter that allows team members to shout out and give "kudos" to other team members. It's all displayed in its own Slack channel, where everyone can see exactly how hard everyone else is working.
And the best part is you can exchange your kudos for real-world prizes like gift cards.
By empowering our employees and investing in their professional experience, we have built a team that is not only skilled but also motivated to drive the company's vision forward.
2. Embracing Innovation
Innovation is at the heart of what we do. We stay ahead of industry trends and continuously explore new technologies and strategies to enhance our services. There isn't a day that goes by that team members aren't dropping marketing news links in our Slack channel.
We encourage the sharing of information and want everyone to constantly be learning. Even if they don't know the nuances of the latest update, being able to explain to clients that there was one sounds a lot better.
This forward-thinking mindset has allowed us to offer cutting-edge solutions to our clients and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making
Data is a powerful tool for driving growth. We rely on data-driven insights to inform our strategies and decisions.
By closely monitoring our P&L statements, we can ensure our marketing and operations are aligned with our ultimate goals. This broader holistic approach allows us to not only track where every dollar is spent but also understand the impact on the company's bottom line.
By having these metrics and trends at our ready, we can optimize our business and identify new opportunities for growth in real time.
Looking Ahead & Future Goals
As we celebrate our achievement of making the Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row, we're already setting our sights on new goals! Our focus remains on sustaining our growth, expanding our service offerings, and continuing to deliver wildly exceptional value to our clients.
We hope that our journey and insights inspire you to set ambitious goals, invest in your growth, and strive for excellence. Remember, with the right strategies and a commitment to continuous improvement, you, too, can achieve remarkable success.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with your marketing efforts. Here's to your success and to making the Inc. 5000 list in the near future!
