Background Note | HBS Case Collection | 2005 (Revised from original 2005 version)

A Note on Managing the Growing Venture

by Richard G. Hamermesh, James L. Heskett and Michael J. Roberts

Abstract

Focuses on the strategic and organizational challenges that confront growing enterprises and the entrepreneurs who lead them. Provides an overview of how a new venture needs to change as it passes from the initial start-up to the growth phase. Explores how a venture's leadership, strategy, and execution need to evolve to deal with rapid growth. A rewritten version of an earlier note.

Keywords: Business Growth and Maturation; Leading Change;

Format: Print

9 pages

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Citation:

Hamermesh, Richard G., James L. Heskett, and Michael J. Roberts. "A Note on Managing the Growing Venture." Harvard Business School Background Note 805-092, August 2005. (Revised from original January 2005 version.)

Having just acquired Walker Insurance, Paul Thomson finds himself short of funds to support his original turnaround plan. He can request additional cash from his investor group, hunker down and grow at a slower rate or consider a proposal to buy his business. He has taken steps to re-virtualize the company and is challenged to build a salesforce to grow the business.

The case describes a Turkish brother-sister team who are evaluating the option of acquiring and operating a franchise of a US bakery/cafe in Turkey. They are comparing this option to that of simply starting a similar business.