How to Grow My Business: Practical Steps to Build Stronger Teams and Smarter Operations

Growing a business is a bit like building a house. You need a solid foundation, the right tools, and a clear plan before adding more rooms. Without these essentials, things can quickly collapse under pressure. In business terms, this means tightening up your operations and investing in your team so they can handle the weight of growth.

If you’re serious about scaling sustainably, this guide will give you real, actionable advice to make it happen—no fluff, just practical steps tailored to businesses like yours.

Step 1: Stop Running a Sprint—Start Training for a Marathon

Most businesses think scaling is a race to grab more clients, more revenue, more everything. But let’s be honest—if you treat growth like a sprint, your business will burn out faster than a matchstick. Scaling isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. If you push too hard without the right preparation, your business will burn out—just like an untrained runner.

Here’s how to pace yourself:

• Focus on systems, not just sales: More clients with messy processes means long hours, unhappy customers, and a stressed-out team. Fix the clogs in your workflows now.
• Do a stress test: What happens if your workload doubles? Could your team manage, or would the cracks start to show? Find the weak spots and fix them before they implode.

Example:
If onboarding a new client takes hours of manual back-and-forth emails, create a system with automated emails, templates, or even a video walkthrough to save time and reduce stress. Automation through tools like Moxie or Dubsado can relieve hours from your team and give your client a streamlined experience.

Step 2: Hire Like You’re Building a Winning Team

Think of your business as a soccer team. You don’t just need warm bodies to fill seats—you need people who’ll bring their A-game when it matters. You don’t need just anyone to fill a position—you need people who understand the game, bring the right skills, and can work well together under pressure.

Tips for hiring smarter:

• Recruit for attitude, train for skills: Enthusiasm and adaptability win every time over someone who’s just ticking boxes on a resume. Sure, they need transferable skills but you can’t train attitude. 
• Use role-specific tests: Stop relying unstructured chats—give candidates tasks they’d actually face in the job. This could mean the use of behavioural-based interview questions or culture based testing. 
• Create career pathways: No one wants to stick around if there’s no room to grow.

Example:
A coaching business in Sydney hired an Administration Assistant who showed initiative during the trial task by creating a better client booking system. As the business grew she was able to manage operations and was promoted to Operations Manager freeing up the owner to focus on growing the business.

Step 3: Treat Documentation Like a Recipe Book

Imagine baking a cake without a recipe. Even if you’ve done it before, you’re likely to miss a step or get the measurements wrong. That’s what happens when your business grows without documented processes.

Here’s how to get your recipe book sorted:

• Start with the basics: List out how you handle common tasks—client inquiries, invoicing, or team meetings.
• Keep it simple: Make the instructions so clear even a newbie could follow them.
• Make it a living document: Your processes need to grow with your business, so update them regularly.

Pro Tip:
Use video tools like Loom to record quick how-to guides for tasks. It’s faster than writing and easier for visual learners. Ensure you have a central system to store videos and that they are labelled clearly.

Step 4: Use Technology Like a Swiss Army Knife.

When it comes to tech, less is more. The right tools can change everything—but random apps thrown together? A disaster waiting to happen. The right tools can make all the difference in streamlining your operations and freeing up time for growth. But tech for tech’s sake can create more headaches than it solves.

Here’s how to make smarter tech choices:

• Go for integration: Tools that talk to each other are lifesavers. Think CRM + accounting software.
• Test before you commit: Free trials are your best mate—use them to figure out what works.
• Automate small, repetitive tasks: Things like follow-up emails, appointment scheduling, and invoicing can all be done without lifting a finger.

Example:
A Perth-based healthcare clinic used an online booking system linked to their calendar and invoicing software. The result? A 30% drop in admin time and happier clients who no longer had to call during business hours to book.

Step 5: Build a Culture That Works for Growth

Your culture is the foundation of everything. Your business culture is like the soil in a garden—growth won’t happen if it’s dry and neglected. Teams that feel supported, valued, and connected will work harder and stick around longer, even as your business changes.

Here’s how to keep it thriving:

• Be transparent: Share your vision and show how each role contributes to the bigger picture.
• Celebrate wins: From smashing a goal to solving a small issue, give credit where it’s due.
• Encourage feedback: Your team’s on the ground—they’ll spot issues before you do if you let them.

Example:
An accounting firm in Melbourne introduced a “win wall” in Slack where team members could write down weekly accomplishments—big or small. This boosted morale and helped the team focus on progress during busy periods.

Step 6: Look at Profitability, Not Just Revenue

More revenue doesn’t mean you’re winning. Growing revenue without watching expenses is like filling a bucket with a hole in the bottom. To truly grow, focus on profitability—what you keep after costs—not just what comes in the door.

Here’s how to stay on top:

• Track your costs: Get rid of anything draining money without adding value.
• Price for profit: If you haven’t raised prices in years, it’s time to get bold.
• Invest wisely: Spend money on things that’ll move the needle—like hiring key staff or upgrading tools.

Growth Is a Balancing Act

Growing a business is equal parts strategy and stamina. It’s not just about working harder or chasing every opportunity—it’s about being intentional, building a strong foundation, and empowering your team to thrive.

Start with one small change today—document a process, automate a task, or have a chat with your team about their goals. Growth isn’t one big leap; it’s a series of small, smart steps that lead to something great.

Let’s get building.

Still need a little help? Why not book in a free call with me to help you get started