For me, the interesting part is the transition from a fast-growing startup to a stable enterprise. I have been in transitional companies most of my professional life, and felt the growing pains. I have looked for resources to support this transition. One book provided a useful lens: Growing Pains: Transitioning from an Entrepreneurship to a Professionally Managed Firm by Eric G. Flamholtz and Yvonne Randle (Goodreads). It describes a number of stages or challenges that a maturing company has to tackle in a particular order of priority. It is mostly based on case studies and surveys.
In my experience, all the areas have to be advanced at the same time, but some more than others. For example, the clear instructions, mentioned above are a precursor to Corporate Culture. And it also makes sense to start with Operational Systems before you need them—at least to hire people with experience in these areas that will later be able to bring them about.
For me, the interesting part is the transition from a fast-growing startup to a stable enterprise. I have been in transitional companies most of my professional life, and felt the growing pains. I have looked for resources to support this transition. One book provided a useful lens: Growing Pains: Transitioning from an Entrepreneurship to a Professionally Managed Firm by Eric G. Flamholtz and Yvonne Randle (Goodreads). It describes a number of stages or challenges that a maturing company has to tackle in a particular order of priority. It is mostly based on case studies and surveys.
(picture from this summary)
The Growth Stages are
New Venture—Markets and Products
Expansion—Resources and Operational Systems
Professionalization—Management Systems
Consolidation—Corporate Culture
In my experience, all the areas have to be advanced at the same time, but some more than others. For example, the clear instructions, mentioned above are a precursor to Corporate Culture. And it also makes sense to start with Operational Systems before you need them—at least to hire people with experience in these areas that will later be able to bring them about.