Growth companies are middle market companies, typically with $10-200 million in revenue and annual growth targets of 20 percent or more per year. They are the engines of growth and wealth creation in most economies. Unfortunately, most growth companies fall behind the curve before they reach their full potential. They become victims of early maturity – the dreaded S-Curve – as diminishing returns in many forms erode the original business model. Many top out before the reach $30 million in revenue. So what can leaders do to keep moving forward?
The Curve Ahead tackles two important questions:
· Why do growth companies stop growing?
· How can their leaders sustain growth over time?
Growth companies are in a unique position with unique challenges. Unlike startups, they need to make a profit and keep growing. But unlike public companies, they are still fragile businesses in turbulent new markets. Growth companies need better tools to monitor the health of their core business, a process for building innovation into the rhythm of their business activities and leadership committed to a culture of innovation – all themes of The Curve Ahead.
The Curve Ahead tackles two important questions:
· Why do growth companies stop growing?
· How can their leaders sustain growth over time?
Growth companies are in a unique position with unique challenges. Unlike startups, they need to make a profit and keep growing. But unlike public companies, they are still fragile businesses in turbulent new markets. Growth companies need better tools to monitor the health of their core business, a process for building innovation into the rhythm of their business activities and leadership committed to a culture of innovation – all themes of The Curve Ahead.
To sustain growth, companies need to discover their next S-Curve: create new products and services, develop new markets, scale operations, develop talent, and attract the right investors.
The Curve Ahead provides a roadmap for leaders who want to sustain growth over the long term. It is designed to illustrate how growth companies get stuck, and what they need to do to get un-stuck. Each chapter of The Curve Ahead begins with the continuing story of a typical growth company called NaviMark. Although NaviMark is not a real company, it faces the business problems, personal challenges, and strategic dilemmas that are typical of the many growth companies I’ve known. In fact, you may find that NaviMark sounds a lot like your own company.
I also look at examples like LoJack and Groupon, both of which fell behind the curve, while Amazon, Jawbone, Darn Tough Socks and many others have fueled growth with a series of new S-Curves.
Steve Jobs liked to say, “The journey is the reward.” Growth company veterans know that you need to be ready for a few curves ahead. This book will show you how to navigate them successfully. Readers who would like to continue the dialogue will find additional resources at www.powerstrategy.com/the-curve-ahead.html.
The Curve Ahead provides a roadmap for leaders who want to sustain growth over the long term. It is designed to illustrate how growth companies get stuck, and what they need to do to get un-stuck. Each chapter of The Curve Ahead begins with the continuing story of a typical growth company called NaviMark. Although NaviMark is not a real company, it faces the business problems, personal challenges, and strategic dilemmas that are typical of the many growth companies I’ve known. In fact, you may find that NaviMark sounds a lot like your own company.
I also look at examples like LoJack and Groupon, both of which fell behind the curve, while Amazon, Jawbone, Darn Tough Socks and many others have fueled growth with a series of new S-Curves.
Steve Jobs liked to say, “The journey is the reward.” Growth company veterans know that you need to be ready for a few curves ahead. This book will show you how to navigate them successfully. Readers who would like to continue the dialogue will find additional resources at www.powerstrategy.com/the-curve-ahead.html.