Every business regardless of its size goes through the four stages of business growth. Therefore, it is highly important for a business to identify which stage they are in. This is because by knowing where the business stands you’ll know what approach you need to take to ensure your business remains strong. The four stages of organizational growth are; startup, growth, maturity, and decline or renewal.
These 4 stages of business growth are essential to understand as they help you determine what needs to be done that will benefit your business during that particular company life cycle. Continue reading on as we’ll be discussing each business growth cycle in detail!
What Are The Four Stages of Business Growth?
Every business faces problems and challenges. What matters is that the business should be able to predict these problems before they occur. The only way a business can do this is by knowing which business growth stage they are in. If you’re not aware of what each of the four stages of business growth represents, don’t worry, and keep reading on!
Startup
When it comes to running a business, the first stage of a business life cycle is known to be the riskiest one for any business. This is because businesses are not able to face the challenges and struggles that come forward. Many startup businesses lack the right investment, this leads to the business failing as costs keep piling up. Other than this, many startups fail to grow because they aren’t able to tackle the competitors in the market.
As you start your business, make sure to have everything planned out. It is important to finalize how the business will operate and face any problem that may occur during the first growth stage. During this stage of business growth, a business will make low or no profit at all. Therefore, the business should aim to build a strong customer base to ensure the business makes a profit as it moves on to the next stage of business growth.
Growth
During this stage of business growth, a business begins to develop a strong customer connection. In this business cycle, your consumers know about your business and are willing to invest in your products/services. However, since this growth spurt is rapid and consumer demands are quite quick to change, it is important to plan other strategies as well.
For instance, a company in this business life cycle should attempt to hire professional and reliable business consultants. With their help, the business can do extensive research and predict its future position in the market. During this stage of business growth, investing in marketing and branding is crucial. This is because, with marketing or branding, a business will be able to make themselves constantly visible to customers.
Maturity
Once the business is successful in making its mark in the industry, it enters the 3rd stage of business growth known as maturity. In this period, the business is likely to have a strong hold of the market and is now supposed to maintain it. Therefore, the business should invest in expansion. This means the business should expand its operations and target other customers as well or upgrade what they offer.
By expanding the operations, the business will be ready to face any change in customer demands or if any tough competition arises. Many businesses fail to expand properly or reinvest. This results in businesses reaching the final stage of business growth which is decline. This lack of expansion and reinvestment results in failure because the business is not able to tackle changes in demands and new competitors in the market.
Decline/ Renewal
The decline stage of the business growth is likely to happen to any business that isn’t able to tackle the following problems;
- Tackle change in customer demand
- Compete with competitors
- Unable to use upgraded/new technology
- Unable to pursue expanding opportunities
Many businesses aren’t able to determine whether they are in the decline stage or not. However, the clear indication of your business being in decline is a constant decline in revenue each year. Therefore, when running a business managing and evaluating yearly finances is highly important. When a business enters the decline stage, there are only two options available.
- Sell the business
- Reinvest/Renew
When it comes to reinvesting in the business, it is important to start this strategy before the business enters the decline stage. However, if the business has entered the final stage of business growth, it is essential to determine how reinvesting will make sure your business addresses the change in demand or tackle tough competitors.
Contact Us
When it comes to marketing and branding, Logo Agency is here to help your business. Regardless of which business growth cycle your company is in, our team will make sure your business is recognized! If you need advice, we have expert business strategists that can guide you. Visit our website, or call us at (800)314-4049
