One of the unexpected highlights of this summer has been our plum tree.

Last year it didn't produce a single plum, but this year it's done exactly the opposite. The branches have been weighed down with fruit, and my partner has been more than a little excited about the bumper harvest.

He's spent weeks watering the tree through the recent heatwave, keeping an eye on it and waiting for the fruit to ripen. His patience finally paid off when he picked enough plums to make a delicious homemade pie.

Unfortunately, we're not the only ones who appreciate home-grown plums.

The local squirrels and birds have clearly been keeping an eye on the tree too, and there's been a constant battle to protect the harvest including from our cat (who seems to think he's Head of Garden Security).  Despite everyone's best efforts, the evidence of their late-night fasting is scattered across the garden every morning in the form of plum stones and suspicious purple splodges!

It made me think about business and marketing.

When there were no plums last year, nothing was interested in our tree. This year, once it became full of something valuable, everyone wanted a piece of it.

Businesses aren't that different.

When you're quietly building your business, refining your services or establishing your reputation, it can sometimes feel as though nobody is paying attention. Then, as your profile grows and you start producing valuable content, winning clients or becoming known for your expertise, people notice.

Potential customers notice.

Competitors notice.

Partners notice.

And sometimes, people who simply want to benefit from your hard work notice too.

The answer isn't to stop growing. It's to continue investing in what makes your business successful while making sure you're nurturing and protecting what you've built.

Keep producing valuable content. Keep strengthening relationships with your customers. Keep delivering a great service. And don't be surprised when your success starts attracting attention.

After all, a tree full of ripe plums was always going to be more popular than an empty one.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think my partner and the cat are about to begin another patrol of the garden…