SmallBusinessNewz

The Fortune Small Business 100 list of America's fastest-growing small public companies has been released, and it is dominated by manufacturing, technology, and energy companies.

The top five businesses on the list are:

1. Astronics - a manufacturer of aeronautical lighting systems and other electronics and power distribution systems

2. Arena Resources - an oil and natural gas exploration and drilling company

3. Bolt Technology - manufacturer of underwater exploration and marine seismic survey equipment

4. North American Galvanizing & Coatings - a steel processor

5. Vasco Data Security International - supplier of information security solutions, used by many financial institutions

See the full list with company details here.

So how have these companies and the other 95 achieved this level of success? Fortune Small Business cites a variety of reasons including global expansion, savvy marketing, long-term planning - and even "old-fashioned luck".

The real question is, what are you doing to grow your own business? Do you dream of being on this list one day? Old-fashioned luck may work out for you, but I wouldn't rely on it. You've got to make growth happen, and it is not going to without strenuous effort.

Think about the key ingredients of business growth, and start from there.

A. Customers. You can't grow without customers, obviously. That's why treating them right, and reaching out for new ones is essential, which brings us to the next one.

B. Marketing. Market your business every way you can think of and afford, online and off. Branding is essential. Get people to know your name. It takes time, but if you push it hard enough, people will begin to recognize it.

C. Planning. The more planning you do, the easier it will be to realize your goals, and hopefully reach them. You will have more success in doing so with a plan to keep you on track. Along with planning comes...

D. Organization. The more organized you stay, the easier it will be to stick to your plan and run your business more efficiently overall. Being organized is a huge time saver, and you can use this saved time for more productive activities (like more marketing).

E. Expansion. Expansion a key to growth? Isn't that like defining a word using the word itself? Well maybe, but you can take steps on your own to expand the reach of your business whether that be marketing in new areas, or hiring new employees to accomplish more objectives.

These are the elements that will allow your business to grow. It will be extremely difficult to make the Fortune Small Business 100, but if reaching that is your goal, failing will have never been so beneficial.

It also helps if you offer something that is in demand. How do you intend to grow your business?