Company growth

From Start-Up to Grown-Up

When do most start-ups fail?

Most young companies face a structural crisis when they are on the threshold of professionalization. The work performance of employees increases and the calls for clear processes, responsibilities and structures become louder. “We’re going agile, we don’t want to become a corporation!” Out of fear of destroying the magic of the beginning, there is often no benevolent review of the usual procedures. One key factor is a lack of adaptability: in a world that is constantly changing, start-ups need to remain flexible in order to respond to change. A strong vision, coupled with a willingness to evolve and learn from mistakes, can ensure survival.
Wann scheitern die meisten Start-Ups?
Welche Phasen durchläuft ein Start-Up?

What phases does a start-up go through?

Every start-up goes through several critical phases on the road to success:

  1. The idea phase: Everything begins with an idea that is intended to solve an existing problem.
  2. The foundation phase: This is where the idea is fleshed out, a team is formed and the company is officially founded.
  3. The market entry phase: The product or service is developed and launched on the market.
  4. The growth phase: Market entry is followed by growth, which requires scaling of the business model.
  5. The maturity phase: The start-up has established itself on the market and is now focusing on sustainable growth and optimizing its processes.

Which leadership is right for which phase of the growth process?

After a successful take-off, you need to be able to keep an eye on your altitude and your own compass.
Different skills are therefore required from both management and employees than in the start-up phase, when there is a lot of experimentation.
However, when there is less experimentation and standards have become established, the corporate culture changes at the same time.
People are looking for a new meaning in their work.
We believe that successfully shaping this process is critical to success.

It can work.
If your own adaptability keeps pace with the cultural developments in your company and its environment.
In the idea phase, you need a different culture, a different type of leadership than in the growth phase.
Are you ready to adapt your leadership style?
You can find more information on this in our blog: The 7 leadership personalities & their values in leadership.

As the corporate culture evolves in the different phases, you should also adapt your management style accordingly.
Here, too, we work with the Graves Value System: The Graves Value System: What really matters to people

Abbildung "Schieberegler der Führung im Veränderungsprozess"
Eine Gruppe von Arbeitskollegen hat ihre Hände in der Mitte gemeinschaftlich aufeinandergelegt.

Growth only works with the empowerment of colleagues

While you hold the reins tighter in the beginning, the degree of personal responsibility required increases over time. The transition from “lead wolf” to “coach” happens slowly, but must happen.

Perhaps you would also like to work without a hierarchy? That can work too. Just take a look at our blog post on the topic of self-organization(Self-organization – practical experience).

You don’t feel up to this task yet? We have been supporting companies in this area for many years.

  • Do you need personal support, an assessment of where you stand?
  • Would you like to check where the corporate culture is heading?
  • Would you like to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the different concepts?

Then let’s talk, we do this kind of thing full-time.