Our framework has been distilled from over 20 years of experience working on countless company transactions in various stages of growth. This proven framework is a cross section of venture, private and public investor standards. It’s a guide of expectations of what to look for in a well running company. Our methodology is highly applicable to companies in all growth stages, sectors and industries.
| I | II | III | VI | |
| Stage of Growth | Seedling | Budding | Flowering | Ripening |
| Business Development/Marketing | Know your customer | Expand your horizontal and vertical channels | Review branding to align with customers | Domestic and global expansion. Plan for next stage of growth |
| Operations Management Human Capital | Know your business and how to execute | Full team alignment including clients and vendors | Review product and service approach to plan for future growth | Prepare for buyout, exit or growth |
| Tech Enablement | Streamline tech | Iterate and integrate tech | Refresh client experience | Assess tech integration to see if aligned with strategic plan |
| Regulatory/Legal | Regulatory Comprehension | Optimize financial structure for tax efficiency | Track and create reporting processes | Prepare for buyout, exit or growth |
| Investors | Secure your initial investorsinvestors | Refine sources of capital | Identify strategic growth investors | Align investors with next growth stage |
| Finance | Finance fundamentals | Ensure operating runway | Build key financial relationships | Market deals and entertain offers |
| Strategy | Game plan for the short term | Articulate 1-3 year vision | Assess delivery on goals | Document successes |
Phase I
Seedling
Congratulations! Your company is out to market with a product or service that is making noise with customers. You’re building a distinctly high-quality brand with a resilient client base. It is time to understand your real costs and growth opportunities. A decision is needed on where to invest that will make the difference between explosive growth or staying in the status quo.
I
Seedling
Business Development/Marketing
Know your customer
Operations Management Human Capital
Know your business and how to execute
Tech Enablement
Streamline tech
Regulatory/Legal
Regulatory Comprehension
Investors
Secure your initial investors
Finance
Finance fundamentals
Strategy
Game plan for the short term
Phase II
Budding
The business has grown exponentially. You are growing your team, client base, expanding operations and reaching out for new growth avenues. Now is the time to look beyond responding to the growth, but planning for more. An introspective look should occur on how your clients, partners and employees feel about your product or service.
II
Budding
Business Development/Marketing
Expand your horizontal and vertical channels
Operations Management Human Capital
Full team alignment including clients and vendors
Tech Enablement
Iterate and integrate tech
Regulatory/Legal
Optimize financial structure for tax efficiency
Investors
Refine sources of capital
Finance
Ensure operating runway
Strategy
Articulate 1-3 year vision
Phase III
Flowering
You’re no longer a babe in the woods. The business has increased in locations, production, sales and partnerships. You are seasoned and have learned from the early lessons by adjusting and adapting in response. This is the stage where we need to fine tune your business and branding.
III
Flowering
Business Development/Marketing
Review branding to align with customers
Operations Management Human Capital
Review product and service approach to plan for future growth
Tech Enablement
Refresh client experience
Regulatory/Legal
Track and create reporting processes
Investors
Identify strategic growth investors
Finance
Build key financial relationships
Strategy
Assess delivery on goals
Phase IV
Ripening
The model of your business maturation has been tried and tested for longevity and sustained growth. Planning and strategy are needed here to ensure you are ready for the next stage of growth either organically or through M&A.