“If your grandmother can’t understand your strategy, how do you expect your team to?”
That quote from my recent conversation with Ryan J Melton of the NZ Business Owners Podcast, sums up one of the biggest challenges I see in growing mid-market businesses: clarity and alignment.
Too often, mid-market business owners have a vision stuck in their heads. It might be ambitious, even inspiring, but if it isn’t communicated clearly and developed with the leadership team, progress stalls. The result is siloed teams, slow decisions, and misalignment across the business.
I was happy to be invited along to speak on the podcast. In the episode, I shared the critical building blocks for scalable, sustainable business growth and how to translate vision into action across your organisation.
Key Takeaways from the Episode:
Vision Without Alignment Is Just a Dream
Vision must be co-created with the leadership team. They hold valuable insights into customers and the market. When they contribute to building the strategy, they commit to it. That ownership is what helps drive alignment across the business.
Purpose Is Your North Star
A clear purpose goes beyond profit. It answers why your business exists and what difference it makes in the world. When defined well, it becomes a guiding light that connects strategy, team engagement, and long-term growth.
Core Values Drive Behaviour
Core values must be practical, visible, and aligned to everyday decision-making. They help team members navigate complex situations and guide behaviour, especially when the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) fall short.
Systems Are There to Support People
Effective systems and processes are not about control. They exist to help people deliver high standards consistently. When people are supported by strong systems, micromanagement becomes unnecessary.
Accountability Must Be Clear
Many businesses have assigned responsibility but lack true accountability. When accountability is clearly defined, each process or outcome has an owner. That creates clarity and focus, reducing operational noise.
Hiring for the Future Frees the Business to Grow
Business owners often delay hiring senior talent because of current financial constraints. The reality is that hiring ahead of the curve, when done strategically, helps drive the very growth that makes those hires sustainable.
Sustainable Growth Beats Speed
Rapid growth can strain a business, especially beyond $5 to $6 million in revenue. Sustainable, growth allows for stronger systems, better delivery, and more consistent profitability. It also reduces risk and improves cash flow.
Why Tune In?
If you’re leading a mid-market business and want to drive growth, reduce complexity, and build a high-performing team, this conversation is for you.
🎧 Listen to the full episode here.
📩 Want support developing your growth strategy? Get in touch to find out how we help businesses like yours grow with purpose.
