Scale Up without Losing the Entrepreneurship

Start-ups – Setting up for success

Start-ups often face similar growing pains and questions: Are we investable? Can we get funding? What will our investors expect? Where do we focus the spend? Can we deliver to our customers’ expectations?

Things start to get interesting when we graduate to selling internationally, revising contracts with co-manufacturers, developing own production capability, juggling new product developments, rebranding, addressing sustainability, supply network, all at the same time! Doing this with limited capability and expertise is a challenge that often needs external support.

There are a number of topics all maturing companies should constantly review:

-         Look strategically at your organisational set up

-         Critically evaluate HOW you do things

-         Evaluate your people capability

-         Re-design operational strategy to support scale and growth

-         Invest in tactile planning S&OP/ IBP

-         Constantly evaluate your distribution and supplier network design

-         Simplify your IT systems and infrastructure and tech stack

-         Secure a leader with Authority - someone who will provide HANDS ON change implementation

Growing chaotically is almost a given for a successful start-up, knowing when to take stock and set yourself up for success is critical. Talking robust process & governance might make most start-up founders yawn. However, it will be the savvy ones who recognise the instrumental value.

The biggest ROI for any expanding company is exemplary leadership talent.

Growing quickly is good; growing uncontrollably can be extremely detrimental and is often where promising businesses ultimately meet their demise. 

For more information about how Melium Consulting can advise and support your European CPG Scale up - Please contact Tom Pemberton