Creating a start-up can be a crazy race, from the thrill of launch to crash-and-burn in a few months. A few decades ago, Fortune 500 companies could count on their presence for at least half a century. Most are now about 15 years old. And the average start? The shelf life is only three years.
Today's business environment demands speed and transparency, and the key to longevity is building a business that counts. Market survivors have become the obvious choice – for customers, investors, teams, employees and even competitors. Successful companies lead the pack without leaving it behind. They anticipate and accept the disruption so that their markets can develop.
Our research identifies seven key factors that help executives successfully launch a business and position it for long-term success:
1. Build a dream team. Major companies need first-rate people who can quickly assess market needs, develop a high-level perspective and, most importantly, execute decisions. This is not the time to hire your buddies. Talented people with significant insights will lay the foundation for a company that will take off successfully and continue to skyrocket.
2. Use a telescopic lens. It is natural to want to celebrate each transaction, but keep your eyes on the long-term vision. A company with a state of mind of buying / selling will fall prey to short-sighted decisions. Decision-making that considers the market, the community and society as a whole is essential to maintain relevance. Keep an eye on potentially disruptive developments and quickly find out how to make them work for you.
3. Anticipate and share. Foresight and Foresight are powerful assets that help you to dominate your market by anticipating the needs and wants of customers. Leaders need to be on the lookout for what the future holds for them and how to thrive in the event of a disruption. The openness to doing things differently is essential. And the best way to gain credibility and ensure the health of the market is to be willing to share that wisdom with other members of your organization.
Start-ups need an expansive and judicious perspective on the present and the future to thrive and create sustainability. While these tips can help a business grow stronger, they remain relevant as the business matures. A sustainable evolution – from a hungry launch to a healthy business – means staying connected with the world in which you operate. By keeping a certain perspective and ensuring that your business culture is also in tune with your growth, you can go ahead and stay there.