Inc. Mag: Growing vs. Growing Up

** Reposted, my link to this on facebook went bad. Errrr. **

I love to read and keep up on the latest business trends. So while I was perusing Inc. Magazines website, I came across this fabulous article that perfectly described how I've been thinking for years. It was as if the writer had taken the words right out of my mouth.

Growing vs. Growing Up by Donna Fenn

In the article Ms. Fenn talks about the importance of having internal structure. She brought up the fact that if there is no organization or procedures for operating your business, you are actually limiting your ability to go to the next level.

She was able to convey these thought much more clever than myself. So, let me quote her instead.

"Over the past 20+ years, I’ve visited plenty of
$5-$10 million companies (and some that are much bigger) that seem operationally stuck in the start-up phase. Why? Because growing revenue is really, really fun; creating systems and procedures really, really isn’t. The result: cash flow suffers; customers are poorly served; employees have no idea what’s expected of them; vendors lose faith."

The writer also mentions the experiences of Josh Kowitt and Scott Neuberger, the co-founders of Boston-based College Boxes. Josh had this to say about a period of time when things weren't going very well.

"I was digging through boxes all day. I lost 15 pounds. We had grown very quickly and we didn’t keep up on the operational side. I think we kind of lost our way and we didn’t deliver on our promise. We had moved into a fancy office in downtown Boston and I think that was the beginning of the end. Instead of spending money on rent, we should have spent it on bar code tracking.”

I think this is why I'm such an organizational nut. I've worked for some successful businesses that, despite huge revenues, had their projects turn south or become harder to complete due to their lack of administrative procedures and document control.

Donna is right, it is fun to go out there and get business. But what happens when you get the business but you can't give your client what you promised?

Organization may not appear to be as exciting as that kick-off meeting, but its importance should not be ignored. In fact, at times it may need to be elevated.

Tell me, have you ever had any moments where you've looked back and gone "if only I had..."? Feel free to share it in the comment section. Trust me when I say, we all have.

And just for laughs: