Did you know that only 8% of businesses manage to scale successfully? Fortunately, leading businesses follow a predictable pattern of behaviour that sets them apart from the 92%. 

The first rule of thumb is to design your business for scale. Your big aspirations for your business should be able to handle the intended growth profile. 

However, at the same time, a lot of problems might appear. Successful companies work on solving these problems effectively, so that it is not a hindrance to their scaling efforts. 

In this article, we will take you through the fundamental business elements you need to scale effectively, especially in the face of adversity. 

7 ways to prepare your business for sustainable growth

Effective habits. An enterprise is largely affected by its leaders. The leaders in an organisation need to develop the right mindset and habits and be committed to lifelong learning. This helps keep a business stable  even through fluctuating business environments. 

Understanding mechanics. Successful companies understand the intricacies of all parts of their business. They know exactly what makes their business profitable, and which areas are worth scaling. They don’t focus on limited areas. It’s important to have an astute awareness of why your business consistently delivers (or does not) to its audience.

Standardised business processes. A business model should be durable enough to withstand challenges, with clear processes in place for sustainable growth. This ensures consistency in product and service delivery, to attract and retain a broader customer base. 

Focus on sales. Sales is arguably one of the most important functions of a business, and yet so many people struggle with it. One of the reasons is that some want to outsource it, but often, this doesn’t work. The reason is that the sales process is different. Today, people make purchases based on trust through human interaction, and no longer solely because of advertising. It’s important to identify the emotions behind purchases, the sales cycle, what works and what doesn’t – and then standardise it with precision for improved connection with your audience. 

Effective implementation. A great plan is only as successful as the implementation of it. Companies need to implement processes in a phased manner, to prevent chaos and failed plans that can cause company damage. 

Employee enrichment. Your customers will automatically be looked after if your employees are motivated to care for them. Therefore, creating an optimal working environment is key to delivering excellent customer experiences, which is important for sustainable and organic business growth. From a scalability perspective, your employees will be a crucial part of it. It pays to structure your business in a way that allows your employees to learn skills and progress in their careers. If your employees stay with you, so do their skills and industry knowledge. That retention is critical when scaling because they are less likely to repeat mistakes, and will hold a wealth of institutional knowledge, to benefit your business. This teamwork and planning will assist with sustainable growth. 

Outsourcing. Sometimes when scaling, you might need some additional assistance, especially for tasks your employees aren’t qualified to do. Instead of spending unnecessary time on tasks you aren’t sure about, rather leave it to professionals to get it done correctly. One of the most common outsourcing tools is the use of technology. Software systems, for instance, can aid your employees to do their jobs better. In the supply chain, a solution like INControl can help digitise your company’s processes. Examples include CRM management, distribution, supply and inventory management, and much more – which can all be automated. It’s much easier to scale your business, when your operations are structured and systematic, with the help of software such as this. 

At INControl, we like to call ourselves “your growth partner.” We offer businesses a customised solution for their problems, giving them the ability to grow and scale sustainably.     

Get in touch with us today to prepare your business for scalability.