In part one of this insightful series I outlined 2 challenges: unscalable systems and the limitations of outdated software and tools. I have experienced all these challenges firsthand. This is why I know how important it is for entrepreneurs and business owners like yourself to anticipate these obstacles and find optimal solutions.
In Part 2, we’ll explore 3 more critical challenges. We will also look at simple solutions that will make a difference for your business:
● Operating costs spiral out of control
● Teams become demotivated
● Further growth is hindered
I promise to keep things easy to digest, so you can focus on what matters most – leading your company to new heights. Let’s dive right in!
Problem 3: Operating costs spiral out of control
As businesses grow and become more complex, leaders are now tasked with keeping operating costs under control. Extra layers of management, communication channels, and decision-making processes can make it challenging to maintain budgets on track.
To help you navigate this complex issue, I’ve identified 3 common consequences of growth that may cause costs to spiral out of control. Here’s the take from my own experiences in handling them:
- Increased demand for resources. When your business is expanding, it’s natural to need more resources. Staff and technology must expand as well to accommodate the increasing demand. Problems arise when the extra resources are used to patch thing up, rather than being allocated according to a well thought plan.
I’ve seen many cases where burned out staff issues are solved by hiring more employees. But the new hires follow the same defective process. Which leads to unsustainable expansion, as the underlying problems are not addressed.
To tackle this challenge, my clients and I work together to analyze the root cause of the problem. We aim to find cost-effective, long-term solutions. Some of these are: - redesigning processes
- investing in automation tools
- upskilling existing staff to improve efficiency and productivity
By addressing the root cause, we ensure sustainable business growth with lower rates of expense increases. - Lack of financial planning. While the focus is often on increasing revenue, it’s essential to remember that profit matters most for shareholders. In times of rapid growth, it’s all too easy to lose sight of expense monitoring.
Striking a balance between growing your business’s top and bottom lines can be challenging. Especially as the temptation to reinvest profits for more top-line growth may be strong.
The solution to this issue lies in diligent financial planning and projections. By setting clear financial goals and monitoring progress regularly, you will align business expenses with growth objectives. Here are some of the actions I take: - develop detailed budgets
- track key performance indicators (KPIs),
- review financial reports to identify areas for improvement.
In a previous article, I provided more information about helpful financial reports that can assist with this process.
- Over-reliance on people vs. process and technology. People are undoubtedly a business’s greatest assets. They can also be the most expensive, especially for small remote companies.
Adding more specialists to the team is a natural progression as businesses expand. However, costs will inevitably skyrocket if processes and technology are outgrown while the team size increases rapidly.
This also creates a false sense of scalability. As the business may appear to be growing, the underlying infrastructure may not be able to support further expansion.
Investing in processes and technology to support business growth alongside team’s expansion is essential to counter this issue. Here are some specific examples: - implement new project management tool
- automate repetitive tasks
- upgrade your technology infrastructure
It’s essential for your team to work efficiently and effectively. Making these investments will create a solid foundation for you to build your scalable and profitable business on.
Problem 4: Teams become demotivated
During periods of rapid business growth, it’s not uncommon for teams to become demotivated.
After more than 14 years of working with remote teams, I understand the potential impact growth can have on the teams if not handled with care. In this section, we’ll explore some common causes of demotivation and the steps you can take to keep your team engaged and aligned:
- Rapid growth and new roles. Growth often leads to hiring new employees or promoting existing ones to fill new roles. However, demotivation can occur if these employees are not properly trained or given the time to adapt. It may seem like a good strategy to surround yourself with talent, but it’s crucial to consider the employee’s perspective. They expect support in their new role, which may be lacking if everyone else is busy putting out fires.
- Changes in vision and direction. Talented and experienced employees are often drawn to a company’s vision. Exponential growth may bring changes in direction that management sees as necessary. However, it’s essential to also get senior leaders’ buy-in before making significant changes. This is especially true for small businesses.
To keep your team engaged during periods of rapid growth, I recommend the following strategies:
a. Prioritize communication. Regularly communicate with your team to ensure they understand the company’s vision, goals and objectives. Keep them informed about changes and the reasons behind them.
b. Support team members in taking on new roles. Provide training, resources, and mentorship to help employees succeed in their new positions. Make them feel valued and empower them to contribute to the company’s growth.
c. Keep them in the loop when changes happen. Involve your team in decision-making processes. Ensure they understand the reason behind the changes. This will build trust and a sense of ownership among team members.
d. Request regular feedback. Encourage open communication by regularly asking for feedback from your team. This way you will identify areas of concern and address them proactively.
No business can thrive without a positive and supportive work environment. With open communication, employee support, and a clear vision, you’ll be well on your way to leading a productive and motivated team.
Problem 5: Further growth is hindered
When growth happens, operations are often falling behind. Without a well-planned strategy in place, scaling will not be sustainable. This leads to chaos and uncontrolled expansion. It can ultimately hinder further development or even cause the business to shrink.
Here are some consequences of uncontrolled expansion and how to address them to enable sustainable growth:
- Systems and processes fail. Rapid growth can strain existing systems and processes, causing them to break down or become inefficient.
- Lose focus on core competencies. As the business expands, it may be challenging to maintain focus on its core competencies. This leads to diluted expertise and loss of competitive advantage.
- Loss of differentiators. In a rush to grow, businesses may deprioritize the differentiators. This is a dangerous route to go on as it ultimately diminish the business’ value proposition.
- Inefficient resource utilization. Teams and assets are stretched thin or misused. Uncontrolled expansion can lead to poorly allocated resources.
- Dilution of focus and resources. Quick growth can cause a chaotic work environment. It translates into reduced focus, making it challenging to maintain quality and efficiency.
These issues will quickly snowball into foundational problems with severe negative impacts on the business. To avoid it, consider the following strategies for sustainable growth:
a. Create a growth strategy. Develop a clear plan outlining how you will scale your business. Include the necessary resources, processes, technology and other support required for expansion. Execute on the strategy.
b. Maintain focus on core competencies. Ensure your business’s core competencies are protected as you grow. This will help maintain your competitive advantage on the market and drive long-term development.
c. Protect unique selling proposition. Regularly review what sets your business apart. Align this with your growth strategy. In fact, one of the pillars of growth should be exactly the unique selling proposition.
d. Optimize resource utilization. Monitor and evaluate how resources are used. Adjust as needed to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
e. Streamline operations. Implement systems and processes that promote organized and efficient operations. It will prevent chaos and dilution of focus.
Growth is undoubtedly the most important business goal and it should not come at the cost of vision or execution.
Final thoughts on the 5 challenges of business growth
Throughout this article series, we’ve explored the challenges you can face as you navigate the exciting and often turbulent waters of rapid business growth. By understanding these hurdles, you can better equip yourself to overcome them and lead businesses to greater heights.
In conclusion, let’s recap the five key challenges and the steps you can take to address them:
- Systems and processes break.
– review and update systems and processes – it is crucial,
– invest in scalable solutions,
– maintain a proactive approach to identify potential bottlenecks.
It’s the best way to ensure your systems and processes can support increased demands. - Outgrown software and tools.
– keep a close eye on your technology infrastructure,
– regularly evaluate its ability to support your growing business,
– upgrade or replace outdated software and tools can improve efficiency.
This way, you can ensure your team has the necessary resources to succeed. - Operating costs spiral out of control. Maintain a focus on:
– sustainable resource allocation,
– diligent financial planning,
– investing in processes and technology.
Make sure to balance expanding your business and maintaining financial stability. - Teams become demotivated.
– prioritize communication,
– support team members taking on new roles,
– keep them in the loop when changes happen,
– request regular feedback.
Doing this will ensure your team remains motivated and engaged during periods of rapid growth. - Further growth is hindered.
– develop a clear growth strategy,
– maintain focus on core competencies and differentiators
– optimize resource utilization,
– streamline operations.
It helps prevent uncontrolled expansion and promote sustainable growth.
In conclusion, business growth requires careful planning, execution, and management. Understanding and overcoming these five challenges can position your business for long-term sustainability.
You can turn growth challenges into opportunities with the right mindset and approach. Remember to regularly review your strategies and processes to ensure they are aligned with your vision and goals. Also, don’t be afraid to seek outside help and advice when needed.