The Growth Zone

Through thorough analysis and example, Michael Mitchell, Virginia’s #1 Trusted Authority on business growth identifies the 10 roadblocks that keep most businesses from growing into a powerhouse business with enduring value, and what you can do to clear those roadblocks and avoid the pitfalls.

Many businesses make it into the Growth Zone of $1M - $25M revenue only to fall out a short time later while others enter and quickly plateau. When that happens, you can feel as though every day is the same long uphill climb. There is never enough time in the day, employees don’t care about the business the way you do, your team has become complacent, and you have become frustrated because no matter what you try you can’t seem to keep your business growing.

This book is about growing a business with enduring value once you are in the Growth Zone.  Growing means growing your revenue, growing your earnings, growing your employees, growing yourself as a leader, putting in the appropriate infrastructure, and generally becoming a more sophisticated business that can compete with the industry leaders in your market.  Enduring value means that you have options when you are ready to exit your business.  You can cash out, pass it on to family, or continue to be involved in your business without day to day responsibility.

The Ignition Zone

Not every business will grapple with the three roadblocks outlined in the Ignition Zone ($1M to $5M), but most will. Clearing these roadblocks is fundamental to growth because it is when you are in the Ignition Zone that you lay the foundation that allows future growth to occur in a smooth and organized fashion. Think of this zone as igniting the main engines of your business. If the engines are not running properly, you will not achieve Lift-Off. You will be stuck on the ground and may fall out of the Growth Zone altogether.

The Lift-Off Zone

When you first enter the Lift-Off Zone ($5M to $15M) any lingering roadblocks from the Ignition Zone must be cleared quickly, or they will cause major problems as your business continues to grow. Your business is now growing rapidly and there are 4 big roadblocks on your horizon. These roadblocks will stop your business in its tracks and you will be pushed to the limits of your knowledge and capability to remove them. But deal with them effectively and you will build a business with enduring value. Your business will become a powerhouse in your chosen market and your reputation in the business community will grow along with your business. When you decide to exit your business, you will have options and you will be able to achieve all your exit goals. Navigate this zone adeptly and you will be ready to fire your booster rockets and enter the Acceleration Zone ($15 to $25M).

The Acceleration Zone

The Acceleration Zone is entered into by only a small fraction of all businesses, but that needn’t be the case. If you have knocked aside the roadblocks leading up to the Acceleration Zone, you are ready to clear away the final few obstacles that can keep you from creating a regional or national powerhouse.  Once those final roadblocks are cleared away, your business will be limited only by your own ambitions.