Growing Rapidly in the Right Hands
Created on 7 July, 2024 • Scale Up Business • 25 views • 2 minutes read
This article was initially posted in the Jago Jualan Facebook Group led by Dewa Eka Prayoga, but I've made a few adjustments to better fit the current context. You’ve probably heard stories about businesses that grew rapidly in the right hands. Intere
Growing Rapidly in the Right Hands
This article was initially posted in the Jago Jualan Facebook Group led by Dewa Eka Prayoga, but I've made a few adjustments to better fit the current context.
You’ve probably heard stories about businesses that grew rapidly in the right hands. Interestingly, in some cases, the "right hands" aren't those of the business founder.
Founders typically start with big dreams and a strong passion for their business, often driven by urgency. But as the business grows, they face the reality that not everything aligns with their initial passion. They end up doing tasks they dislike because it’s necessary for the business.
McDonald’s
A famous example is McDonald's. The McDonald brothers, Dick and Mac, founded it. Dick was obsessed with speed in serving food and pioneered the fast-food system we know today. However, it was Ray Kroc, a milkshake machine salesman, who standardized the system and enabled anyone to open a McDonald's restaurant. Yet, McDonald's only became profitable under Harry Sonneborne, who shifted the business model to focus on real estate.
Apple
Apple's story is similar. Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built Apple with innovation and a vision to revolutionize computers. But it was John Sculley who brought corporate culture and large-scale manufacturing to Apple, making it a multi-million dollar company. Though Jobs was eventually ousted by Sculley, he later returned and led Apple to unprecedented success.
Google also experienced this pattern. Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin hired Eric Schmidt as CEO after securing a $25 million investment. Initially, there was friction, but Schmidt eventually grew Google significantly before Larry took over as CEO again.
Facebook had zero sales until Sheryl Sandberg joined. Mark Zuckerberg is a genius, but Sheryl brought the sales strategies that turned Facebook profitable. Without her, Zuckerberg's vision for a more open and connected world might have been hard to achieve.
The Pattern
Do you see the pattern? Founders often need to bring in the right people to grow and sustain their businesses. They might not know where to take their business next, or their sales might be declining. The solution might not be what to do, but who to do it with.
Recognizing Your Limitations
It's important to recognize your limitations and find the right partner or leader who complements your strengths. Founders might have the vision and innovation but need others to scale the business. For example, Steve Jobs focused on product development and marketing, while others managed operations and scaling.
You can try to learn everything yourself—leadership, accounting, sales, marketing, HR, etc.—but this might diminish your existing strengths. Instead, accept your weaknesses and focus on your strengths. Find someone who excels in areas where you don’t. This approach can help you grow your business more effectively.
Conclusion
The key takeaway is to acknowledge your weaknesses, focus on your strengths, and find the right people to fill the gaps. It’s not always about what you need to do, but who can help you achieve your goals.