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Not all Growth is Good
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We have a client who is outwardly successful. They are growing all the main financial metrics, such as customer profitability, revenue, staffing, etc.
However, internally, they are falling apart. Due to their significant growth, their systems are now incapable and broken. They have red flags: owners are burning out, staff are frustrated, and satisfaction is trending the wrong way; errors and miscommunication are rising, along with defects and reworks.
I want to share what I’ve learned about managing change, maintaining momentum and the alignment of capable systems with frictionless growth.
It's Important to have a Solid System that is Prepared for Growth
When is it Time to Shift Gears in Business?
I’ve seen many businesses thrive and then face challenges as they grow. One key lesson I’ve learned is that before you can successfully expand your customer base or increase your orders, your business systems must be ready for that growth.
If your systems—your order management software, customer service processes, or supply chain logistics—aren’t up to the task, you might be overwhelmed as you try to scale up. I’ve learned that stopping, reflecting, reviewing, and addressing these underlying issues is essential before progressing with MORE growth. This might mean updating your technology, streamlining processes, or improving team training.
1● When Growth Slows Down
If growth slows, it’s time to reassess your current operations strategically and potentially find new opportunities. Instead of just pushing harder, take a moment to look at what’s working and what’s not.
Maybe it’s time to explore new markets, offer new products, or improve your services.
2● When Facing Challenges
Every business faces challenges, from increased competition to unexpected economic changes. I’ve seen how local businesses handle these ups and downs.
Stay calm and adaptable during tough times. It’s not just about sticking to the old ways but being open to new solutions and ideas. Turn obstacles into opportunities, which has helped me approach challenges as chances to grow and find creative solutions.
3● When Team Dynamics Change
Team dynamics are constantly shifting, from welcoming new staff to adapting to role changes. Adjusting your leadership style in response to these changes is crucial. Sometimes, you need to be more hands-on, and other times, you need to step back.
You need to let staff make their own mistakes, giving them space to learn, permission to experiment, and ultimately, some resilience and initiative—this is so powerful for building empowered teams.
4● Golden Tickets
If you find/see/create an opportunity that aligns with your strategic plan, you have analysed it diligently, and you are convinced it’s a winner, then commit fully. Go into overdrive and execute. Invest the time, energy, and resources into making it a winner.
These moments are important to jump up a few levels in your business journey – don’t miss them due to your normal operational busyness. Yes, it may come with risks, but you’re a business owner, so you should have a decent risk tolerance. These are golden tickets so don’t miss them. If you don’t have the confidence, get professional support to help you commit to the decision.
If you are convinced it’s a winner then commit fully
So if you need help identifying the state of your business, if you have some growing pains, see some red flags or want to find those golden tickets, you need to create the strategic time to execute.
If you need help with any of these, get in touch and we can give you a few tips and strategies to improve your performance.
Chris is a self-confessed business nerd and the brains behind Purpa. He lives for helping businesses and businesspeople find their purpose, uncover their potential, and then provide the systems, processes, and accountability to make it happen.
