Sometimes what used to work in your business just doesn’t anymore after a while—customer needs shift, the market evolves, or growth slows in ways that are hard to explain. When that happens, it’s not always clear what to change or where to start. Thankfully, Eau Claire has resources that can help you reassess your direction and get back on track with more clarity. The steps below will help you start exploring what a pivot could look like for your business.
Disclaimer: The guidance published here on the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division website is meant to be a helpful starting point as you navigate business support in our community. It’s not the final word on what’s best for your unique situation. We always recommend checking in with financial, legal, or other professionals for advice tailored to your business.
What to Do in the Next 48 Hours
When your business model isn’t working the way it used to, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure what to change first. You might feel pressure to make a big move right away, but before you do, take a step back. Use the next 48 hours to get a clearer picture of what’s actually happening in your business so you can make thoughtful, informed decisions instead of rushed ones.
🎯 Goal: To understand what’s working, what’s not, and where a pivot might make the biggest impact.
Next Steps
1. Take a step back and look at the big picture.
Give yourself a little breathing room to assess what’s been going on. Have sales slowed down, or just shifted? Are customers behaving differently than they were a few months ago? Has anything changed with your competition or costs? You don’t need a full analysis here—just start noticing patterns and changes.
2. Look at what’s driving your revenue right now.
Break down where your income is actually coming from. Which products, services, or customer types are consistently bringing in revenue—and which ones seem to be fading? This can help you see what’s still working and what may no longer be worth the same amount of time or effort.
3. Pay attention to customer behavior.
Think about what your customers are doing and saying. Are they asking for different things? Are there questions or requests you’re hearing more often? Have certain offerings stopped getting attention? These small signals can give you clues about where demand may be shifting.
4. Identify what feels off.
Start narrowing down where things aren’t lining up. Is it your pricing? Your visibility? The type of customers you’re targeting? The way you’re delivering your product or service? You don’t have to solve it yet—just begin identifying where the disconnect might be.
5. Hold off on big changes for now.
It’s completely normal to want to fix everything quickly, especially when things feel uncertain. But making major changes without understanding the problem can create more confusion. Give yourself a little time to get clarity before making any big moves.
6. Start jotting down possible directions.
As ideas come to mind—new offerings, different customer groups, pricing adjustments, or small changes to how you operate—write them down. Nothing has to be perfect yet. This is just about capturing possibilities so you can come back to them with a clearer head.
What to Focus on Over the Next 2 Weeks
Now that you have a clearer picture of what’s going on in your business, the next couple of weeks are about testing small changes and starting to move in a new direction. You don’t need to reinvent everything overnight. Instead, focus on making a few thoughtful adjustments, paying attention to what works, and building momentum from there.
🎯 Goal: To test new ideas, learn what resonates, and start shaping a more sustainable direction for your business.
Next Steps
1. Talk to your customers.
Have a few simple conversations with current or past customers. Ask what they value most, what they wish you offered, or why they chose (or stopped choosing) your business. These insights can help you spot opportunities you might not see on your own.
2. Focus on what’s already working.
Start by leaning into the parts of your business that are still performing well. This could be a specific product, service, or type of customer. Look for ways to strengthen or expand those areas rather than spreading your energy too thin.
3. Simplify where you can.
If parts of your business are no longer performing, consider pausing or scaling them back. Reducing complexity can free up time, energy, and resources to focus on what has more potential.
4. Test small changes before making big ones.
Instead of a full overhaul, try small experiments. This could be adjusting pricing, offering a new service on a limited basis, or tweaking how you package or promote something. Keep the changes manageable so you can learn what works without taking on too much risk.
5. Pay attention to what gets traction.
As you try new ideas, watch how customers respond. What are people engaging with? What’s generating sales or interest? Even small signals can help guide your next steps.
6. Adjust your messaging to match where you’re headed.
As your direction starts to shift, make sure your messaging reflects that. Update how you describe what you do, who you serve, and why it matters so customers clearly understand the value you offer.
7. Give yourself permission to iterate.
This process doesn’t have to be perfect. Some ideas will work, and some won’t—and that’s okay. The goal over these two weeks is to learn quickly, make adjustments, and keep moving forward.
What to Work Toward Over the Next 90 Days
Over the past few weeks, you’ve started to test new ideas and get a better sense of what’s working. Over the next few months, the focus shifts to building a more intentional direction for your business. A pivot isn’t just about trying something new—it’s about shaping a model that better fits your customers, your strengths, and the market around you.
🎯 Goal: To refine your direction, strengthen what’s working, and build a business model that feels more sustainable long-term.
Next Steps
1. Double down on what’s gaining traction.
Look at what’s been working over the past few weeks—whether that’s a product, service, or type of customer—and start building around it. This might mean expanding those offerings, improving how you deliver them, or focusing more of your time and energy there.
2. Phase out what’s no longer working.
As you gain clarity, begin stepping back from products, services, or efforts that aren’t contributing the way they used to. Letting go of underperforming areas can free up resources to support your new direction.
3. Set a clearer direction moving forward.
Define a few priorities for the next phase of your business. What are you focusing on? Who are you trying to reach? Having a clearer direction can help guide your decisions and keep you from drifting back into old patterns.
4. Refine your business model.
Take a step back and look at how everything fits together—your pricing, offerings, target customers, and how you deliver value. Start shaping a model that feels more aligned with where your business is headed.
5. Strengthen your operations to support the shift.
As your direction becomes clearer, make sure your day-to-day operations can support it. This could include adjusting workflows, reallocating time, or putting simple systems in place to stay organized as you grow.
6. Update your brand and messaging.
Make sure how you present your business reflects the direction you’re moving in. This might include updating your website, social media, or how you describe your services so customers clearly understand what you offer.
7. Keep checking in and adjusting as you go.
A pivot isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process. Set aside time to regularly review what’s working and what’s not, and be willing to keep refining your approach as your business continues to evolve.
Many business pivots can start with small changes—testing new ideas, listening to customers, and adjusting your approach over time. But in some situations, it can help to bring in outside guidance sooner rather than later, especially if you’re feeling stuck or unsure what direction to take.
You may want to reach out to one of the support organizations listed below now if you’re starting to notice things like:
Experiencing one or more of these situations doesn’t necessarily mean your business can’t recover, but it can be a sign that outside support could help. Business advisors, mentors, and local support organizations can help you step back, evaluate your options, and build a clearer path forward. Reaching out early can make the pivot feel more manageable—and help you move forward with more confidence.
Find local organizations and experts that can help with a business pivot.
Support Organizations
The UW–Eau Claire Small Business Development Center is a no-cost, confidential business advising center that works with entrepreneurs and existing businesses throughout the region. Their advisors can help business owners evaluate what’s working, explore new directions, and build a practical plan to shift your business model.
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
SCORE West Central Wisconsin is a volunteer network of experienced business mentors who provide free one-on-one guidance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Mentors can serve as a sounding board as business owners think through pivot ideas, test assumptions, and make more confident decisions.
🔗 score.org
Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council is a regional nonprofit that provides business training, technical assistance, and support programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses. Their team can help business owners navigate operational changes, explore funding options, and support transitions as businesses evolve.
🔗 westerndairyland.org
The Eau Claire Area Chamber of Commerce is a local business membership organization that supports employers through networking, training, and leadership development programs. Business owners can use these opportunities to learn management best practices and gain insights that help strengthen workplace culture and team dynamics.
🔗 eauclairechamber.org
The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce is a statewide organization that supports entrepreneurs through business advising, technical assistance, and access to capital. Their team can help business owners navigate changes, explore new opportunities, and grow their business in a way that aligns with their goals.
🔗 hmongchamber.org
The Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a regional economic development organization that supports business growth and strategy within Eau Claire County. They can help local business owners think through expansion or repositioning opportunities and connect them to resources as they pivot their business.
🔗 eauclaire-wi.com
Local Professionals
A business consultant is a professional who works with business owners on overall strategy and operations. They can help you step back, evaluate your current business model, and map out a clearer path forward.
🔗 Find a Local Business Consultant
An industry-specific consultant or mentor is a professional with experience in your field who understands market trends and customer expectations. They can offer perspective on what’s shifting in your industry and help you sense-check potential changes before you commit.
🔗 Find a Local Consultant
A marketing professional or strategist is a specialist in branding, messaging, and customer outreach. They can help reposition your business, clarify who you’re trying to reach, and make sure your message reflects where you’re headed.
🔗 Find a Local Marketing Professional
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a financial professional who helps businesses understand profitability, costs, and financial performance. They can walk through your numbers with you and highlight how different pivot options may impact your bottom line.
🔗 Find a Local CPA
A small business financial advisor is a professional who focuses on financial planning and business performance. They can help you model different scenarios, weigh risk, and think through the financial side of your next steps.
🔗 Find a Local Financial Advisor
A sales coach is a professional who helps improve how businesses sell their products or services. They can work with you to refine your approach, strengthen how you present your value, and improve how you connect with customers.
🔗 Find a Local Sales Coach
Get in touch with the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division for connections to confidential business support from local partners.