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In the frenetic world of business, where every entrepreneur dreams of explosive growth, few comprehend the nuanced dance of scaling gracefully. As Bill Gates once mused, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” Rapid growth often magnifies both the strengths and weaknesses of a business. But how can entrepreneurs turn those lessons into long-term success?
Most companies’ fantasy is a surging demand, but this dream can quickly turn nightmarish without forethought. Proactive planning is the antidote to such potential chaos. By implementing measures such as a higher minimum engagement fee and strategically declining misaligned opportunities, businesses can manage high demand. This has worked well for my core business, Entire Productions. Understanding future demand and scaling the team accordingly ensures that businesses don’t just react but proactively shape their growth trajectory.
Related: Avoid the ‘Too Fast, Too Furious’ Approach to Scaling a Startup
Ensuring your growth doesn’t outpace your vision
The backbone of any business, big or small, lies in its supply chain. The corporate event production niche, for instance, is comprised of entertainers and experiential activations, and its malleability determines success. Tapping into different markets, leveraging diverse resources and staying nimble can spell the difference between graceful scaling and overextension.
A business’s values are so important as well. As Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, has remarked, “You cannot deliver value unless you anchor the company’s values. Values make an unsinkable ship.” When a business maintains its adaptability without compromising its values, it remains buoyant even in turbulent growth phases. Our values at Entire Productions are Excellence, Growth-Minded, Collaboration, and Own-It.
Key hires play a monumental role in this scaling journey. Their impact goes beyond their functional roles — they often act as cultural and strategic touchstones, guiding and steadying the ship. Our account executives and production managers, among others, ensure that commitments aren’t merely met but exceeded. And as Richard Branson has emphasized time and again, “Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees, they will take care of the clients.” The heart of scaling lies in a team that is not just competent but passionate and well-taken care of. One of the best ways to take care of your employees is to tell them they’ve done an excellent job in front of the company and NOT speak to their weaknesses publicly.
One of the most delicate balances to strike while scaling is expanding horizons without diluting the brand essence. Businesses might evolve, diversify and adapt, but they must do so without sacrificing their foundational values. Authenticity is the bridge between growth and brand integrity. It’s a sentiment echoed by Howard Schultz, Starbucks’ Chairman, when he said, “If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand.” By nurturing genuine, grounded relationships with clients and stakeholders, businesses can expand their audience without losing their essence. It’s a delicate balance that needs to be adjusted throughout all growth cycles.
An often-underestimated facet of scaling is the art of nurturing existing relationships to boost customer lifetime value. It’s not just about the breadth of relationships but their depth. Instead of a transactional dynamic, a bond based on genuine value, trust and consistent delivery stands the test of time. As Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, puts it: “If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful.” By fostering authentic conversations and delivering exceptional value, businesses can transform one-time clients into lifelong advocates.
Related: The Human Side of Business Scaling — Why Employee Well-Being, Team Cohesion and Company Values Must Be Prioritized
Strategy, passion and perseverance
Venturing into new territories and seizing fresh opportunities are the hallmarks of entrepreneurial vigor. Yet, doing so while ensuring that the core of the business remains undisturbed is a skill in itself. Visionary leaders focus on strategy and growth, while their dedicated teams ensure smooth operations. This synergy ensures that while businesses may pivot or expand, their foundational pillars remain robust. In the words of Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric: “Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”
Yet, growth isn’t without its pitfalls. The exhilarating pace of scaling can sometimes lead to oversight, especially in hiring. Recognizing such missteps and refining processes ensures that the team is harmoniously aligned with the business’s mission and vision. Reflecting on this, Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, noted: “We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.”
The journey of rapid growth, with all its ups and downs, brings forth a mosaic of opportunities, lessons and transformations. It’s a journey that demands grit, tenacity and an unwavering commitment to a vision. As business leaders walk this path, they must remember the wisdom of Simon Sinek: “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.”
With the right blend of strategy, passion and perseverance, scaling becomes not just an exercise in growth but an art form in its own right.
Related: 5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Growing (or Scaling) a Business
