Moving Beyond Startup Mode

Articles Index

Growing Pains
When an organization has not been fully successful in developing the internal systems it needs at a given stage of growth, it begins to experience "growing pains." Growing pains are symptoms that an organization needs to make a transition. This article examines in detail the most common organizational growing pains.

The Surfers' Guide to Management
Most textbook theories are inappropriate for growing businesses. They are specifically designed for MBA classes, University or 'A' level students, or for managers in multinational businesses. If managers of multinationals need the skills of a supertanker captain then the growing business requires the skills and attitude of a surfer!

Keeping Up With Technology
If you want to compete in today’s business world, then, it’s important to keep up with technology in order to get the most out of the technology you have, to keep abreast of emerging new technology, and to find the information that will help you make the right buying decisions.

Top 10 Tips for Outsourcing Success
Entrepreneurs and small businesspeople are always looking for creative ways to accomplish more of their business goals for less money. One strategy that can help you save time, money and frustration as you start and build your business is to outsource as much work as possible to skilled, but cost-effective, external service providers.

The Innovator's Dilemma
That great idea that you based your business on has been incredibly successful, but is also starting to become mainstream. You know you need something new to maintain the competitive edge, but your company's branding and even your personal identity are tied up in that first innovation. So what do you do? Welcome to the innovator's dilemma.

Alternatives to Hiring Full-Time Employees
One big question facing many business owners is when to hire full-time staff members and when to consider other options, such as part-time employees, independent contractors or partnering with other small businesses. The answer depends on the business itself. The ability to be creative and flexible is an advantage of a smaller, independent enterprise.

Technology Levels the Playing Field for Minority-Owned Businesses
Almost 15 percent of America's small business owners are minorities—and the trend of minority ownership is accelerating. More than three million minority-owned small businesses are providing job opportunities for millions of Americans in thousands of communities. In addition, the rate of growth for black-owned businesses is 25 percent compared to the 7 percent growth rate for business overall.