Warren Buffet has said that he bases his investment decisions on what he notices. He pays attention to those around him, to what they like, dislike, choose and avoid. Consequently, he’s tuned in to market trends and changes.

You know what I’ve noticed lately? Clients with increasing sales, hiring new people and expanding.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the conversations I’ve had with four clients this week:

• One said sales are up 1,100 percent and they have over $750,000 in orders backlogged, waiting to be shipped.
• Another is opening a new location, based on the success of her first location.
• A third now has a waiting list for new clients.
• A forth is hiring for a key marketing position and now needs to up the salary for that position to attract truly qualified candidates.

I’m not an economist (thank God!), but from what I see and hear, it sounds like our economy is definitely on the upswing. Though economic growth will vary depending on what part of the country you’re in, maybe it’s a good time to get out of “hunker down” mode and get positioned for growth.

How long has it been since you’ve stepped back and taken a strategic look at your growth plans? Wouldn’t that feel great, after three years of anxiety, caution, or outright gloom!

Get positioned for growth now, by asking yourself a few tough questions.

1) In one sentence, describe your company:

2) In one sentence, what differentiates you in your market? Is that difference meaningful to your customers?

3) If possible, what would you do today that you believe would have a big impact on your business?

4) What three things do you feel are the biggest obstacles of growth within your company?

5) Given an unlimited budget of time and resources, what three things could you do to eradicate those obstacles?

6) What three things could you take immediate responsibility for that would contribute to business growth?

7) In what ways do you think your company could compete better with the competition?

8) “We should be doing that” — Have you said that lately? What pieces need to be in place to act on your idea? .

9) What tools do you believe are necessary to support the generation of new business?

10) How could your company maximize the business relationship with existing clients?

11) How do you think your company could increase and benefit from referrals?

12) As you explore your corporate culture and business growth initiative to generate new business, what are your three main concerns?

13) In what five ways do you think past marketing efforts have failed to focus on/generate business growth?

14) What is the one underlying economic driver that would create significant value for your business?

15) When was the last time you gathered your team together for a full day or two of strategic planning?

Be a bit like Warren Buffett (wouldn’t that be nice!). Seriously, notice what is taking place around you. Be aware of changes in your industry, in your market, in your community. Apply that awareness to answering the above questions and you can capitalize on those trends and get positioned for growth.