As I started this chapter, my phone rang. It was one of my business clients, and this person’s response to my “How are you?” was a perfect copy of one of my own general responses … “I’m flat out like a lizard drinking!” he said.

Phase 4 – Systems Phase four represents systems. The owner now has a business and the team seems on the face of it to be all running in the same direction. The owner now needs to plan for intelligent, incremental improvements. The business plan concentrates on coordination. Whilst the owner may occupy the functional role […]

Phase 5 – Sustainability Phase five represents sustainability. The owner now has a franchise (as in the business model can be replicated like a cookie-cutter recipe) and needs to behave like a franchisor as growth occurs through the second store, branch or independent revenue streams coming into existence. The crisis however is one of identity. […]