Scaling Up in Action

I genuinely enjoy writing this newsletter each month—not just to reflect on the progress being made in the world of scaling up, but also to share the invaluable insights that emerge from our interactions with the companies we work with.

This month’s biggest learnings also turned out to be the highlights!

• Masterclass: The Right People on the Bus

One key takeaway from our recent session in Cape Town? Getting the right people on the bus remains one of the biggest challenges for founders—often more so than strategy itself.

• Producing the ScaleUp Podcast

A conversation with my founder and friend, Ian Thomson, highlighted a crucial yet often overlooked factor in scaling: the role of a strong, supportive board. It’s rarely discussed, yet it can make or break a company’s growth.

Do you agree? More importantly—do you have one?

• Growth Partnership in Action

Last month, we facilitated 18 full days of Growth Partnership engagements—whether through a Scaling Up module or an annual engagement. This experience reinforced a key truth: we don’t just help others grow; we scale alongside them.

By actively applying the Scaling Up methodology within ScaleUp Company SA, we gain firsthand insight into what our clients experience. Tools like the One-Page Strategic Plan and FACe (Function Accountability Chart) keep teams aligned, focused, and scaling with purpose.

After all, companies that prioritise their people outperform others by 10x—and that’s no coincidence.

Most-Read Articles

How Brand Promises Bring Your Strategy to Life

What do Checkers Sixty60, Freedom of Movement, Discovery Vitality, and Sealand all have in common?

A great brand promise.

Your brand promise isn’t just a tagline—it’s the foundation of trust, strategy, and growth. A well-crafted promise sets clear expectations and ensures every part of your business aligns for success.

But here’s the real question: Is your business keeping its promises? Read more.

Why Your Business Needs an Annual Plan

Stuck behind a learner driver crawling at 20km/h, sporadically braking, and signaling left while turning right? That’s what running a business without an annual plan feels like.

Your Annual Plan is the GPS of your business—without it, you’re just burning fuel, hoping you don’t end up in a ditch (or worse, Cape Town traffic).

Is your strategy a well-planned road trip, or just a let’s wing it joyride? Read more.

Events: ScaleUp Masterclass Launched!

A successful Masterclass? Check ??

We explored the challenges businesses face as they scale, tackling the real issues that hinder growth and how to overcome them. The brilliant Mervyn George then introduced us to the Scaling Up Growth Flywheel, emphasising why scaling businesses must address these four crucial dimensions:

1?? The Right People – A team aligned in vision and execution.

2?? One Clear Strategy – Focused, intentional growth.

3?? Execution Excellence – A structured approach to getting things done.

4?? Ample Cash Flow – The fuel that keeps everything moving.

Interested in attending our next event? Let us know.

Scaling Should Be Fun!

Scaling up should be fun—right? But to make it work, it’s crucial to know which growth phase your business is in. Each phase comes with its own challenges and productivity hurdles.

Take this quiz to find out where your business stands!

My Favourite Question of the Month

If your answer is less than 90%, why would you settle for less when your business is such an important part of your life?

Whatever your answer is, we are here to help you navigate it! Book a free discovery call, and let’s chat.

Do You Want to Become a ScaleUp Coach?

We’re always looking for entrepreneurs with proven business scaling and leadership expertise to guide businesses through their growth challenges.

If you’re passionate about helping companies scale smarter and want to continue learning, connect with us.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated and in the know.

Happy Scaling!