‍The Secret to More Time, Freedom, and Financial Health in Your Business

Work all day. All week. More than you want to… and yet you struggle to get anywhere with your business? If that sounds familiar, know this.

You’re in good company.

In fact, many business owners struggle to get ahead. It’s to be expected. And while that may sound negative, it’s actually something that works in your favor.

Because it implies that not only are these problems common, but also their solutions.

At Integro, we’ve identified five key stages that the overwhelming majority of businesses belong to—each with its own problems and solutions. 

Once you’ve discovered the stage you’re in—and apply the proven frameworks for strengthening your business in that stage—you’ll find your business growing to greater heights… 

While you gain time, freedom, and the financial margin you were planning on when you went into business for yourself.

What Are the Five Stages of Business Growth?

At Integro, our coaches recognize five distinct phases all companies fit into at one time or another.

They are:

• Startup: 1–3 employees, revenues less than $1M per year, in business less than five years
• Systemize: 4–15 employees, revenues $1M–$3M, in business 5–10 years
• Stabilize: 16–50 employees, revenues $4M–$10M, in business 10–15 years
• Scale: 51–150 employees, revenues $11M–$50M, in business 15–25 years
• Mastery: 250–2000 employees, revenues $51M–$500M, in business 15–35 years

What Are the Common Struggles During Each Stage of Business?

The struggles—and solutions—associated with each stage of business growth are unique. See which of the following resonates with you. Then, check for the solutions a bit further down the page. 

Startup

With no shortage of problems, many startup founders find themselves wondering if this whole self-employed thing is worth the headache. 

Startups often struggle with:

• Knowing where to focus time and energy
• Hiring reliable staff
• Limited financial resources
• A constant state of overwhelm 

Systemize

The Systemize stage is a time of defining and filling company positions. During this stage, business leaders are beginning to see their company’s limitations more clearly. 

In particular, they may struggle with:

• A lack of staff to fill key roles
• Trouble releasing control and delegating to others
• Difficulty trusting outsiders with sensitive information
• Unclear and inefficient daily processes

Stabilize

Following the Systemize stage, Stabilize is characterized by the realization that not all of your technology and human resource systems are scalable. 

Some common issues in this stage include:

• Excel and other off-the-shelf softwares are unable to handle the changing demands of the business
• HR issues are arising due to a lack of formalized policies, procedures, and training documentation

Scale

After a lot of hard work, the Scale stage is a time when company leaders need to be intentional about developing their systems if they want to grow. 

Some common challenges during the Scale stage are:

• Off-the-shelf software is no longer sufficient
• There is a need for mature company leaders in every department 
• Professional skills from outside the company are needed

Mastery

By moving through the first four stages of business growth, company leaders have successfully solved most of the problems that businesses face. This paves the way for moving into more mature seasons of the business lifecycle. 

You’ll recognize your company is in the Mastery phase if you:

• Are aligning with other industry leaders
• Have a governing board
• Desire to leave a legacy and make an impact on your community

What Are the Keys to Successfully Navigating Each of the Five Stages of Business?

Moving from one stage of business to the next is not magic. It simply requires strengthening your weaknesses as a company—one of the key benefits of hiring a business leadership coach. 

Here’s the lowdown on navigating each stage. If you have additional questions, feel free to book a free Discovery Call with an Integro business coach to learn more. 

Keys to Startup Success

Simply put, the Startup phase takes work. In particular, you’ll want to make sure you have the following in order.

• Core products, services, and pricing structures
• Solid hires at key positions in your company
• Unified branding across all company assets

• Relevant and accurate financial reports

It’s a lot. And due to the demands and needed skillsets, many business owners decide to invest in individual coaching for small business owners to help them move through this chaotic time.

Keys to Systemize Success

In a nutshell, mastering the Systemize stage requires finding the right people for each role while clarifying your processes. 

Some keys to success in the Systemize stage include:

• Developing and positioning key leaders in place
• Freeing up the owner for greater big-picture thinking
• Clarifying your vision as a company and team
• Creating and documenting office and production processes

Keys to Stabilize Success

With your key hires in place and your processes clearly defined, the Stabilize stage is where you bring it all together into a clear, cohesive strategy.

Some keys to success in the Stabilize stage are: 

• Fine-tuning HR processes to give your staff structure in the workplace
• Create and implement 3- and 5-year growth plans
• Use technology wherever possible to maximize production efficiency

Keys to Scale Success

The Scale stage is about finding replicable systems that make exponential growth possible. 

With that in mind, some keys to success during the Scale stage are:

• Placing qualified and competent leaders in every department
• Having an upper leadership and management team that share the same values and vision to grow
• Developing operations that make increased production volume possible

Keys to Mastery Success

At this stage, upper management is free to focus on making their services and overall community impact as positive as possible. 

In order to take a Kingdom business through the Mastery stage, you need the following:

• A highly productive and cohesive executive team 
• Professional legal counsel to help you stay in compliance with HR, financial, and industry regulations
• A plan to manage your public image

At this stage, a business leadership coach (or finding an independent business consultant for hire) can help you develop a strong, unified Executive Leadership Team.

Master Your Current Stage of Business to Find More Joy, Freedom, and Creativity at Work!

As you can see, each stage of business has its own unique set of challenges and keys to success. 

Whichever stage you most resonate with, it’s important to recognize that you’re in good company—and there is a path to greater freedom with your time and finances, and more workplace joy.

If you want to learn more, please reach out to an Integro Business Coach today. Your free call gives you the opportunity to share about your business, your goals, and the challenges you’re facing. Then, you’ll receive a plan for moving forward with clarity and confidence in your business…

At no charge to you.

So don’t stay stuck any longer.

Talk to a Coach Today