Welcome to the Start-up to Scale-up guide, a practical resource designed to help established small business owners navigate the next stage of growth.
Created for businesses that have been trading for several years and are looking to grow sustainably, this guide explores the key financial, operational, and strategic considerations involved in scaling a business.
With guidance on everything from cash flow management, funding options, financial controls and cost management to customer acquisition, operational scaling and the use of AI, this guide provides practical support to help you make informed decisions and build a stronger, more resilient business.
On the go? Download your own copy of the Start-Up to Scale-Up guide (.PDF, 2.07 MB)(Opens in a new window) and discover tools, insights and resources to support your business growth journey.
Start-up to scale-up: a small business owner’s guide for growth
- Understand the financial considerations of growing your business
- Build a stronger financial foundation for sustainable growth
- Explore strategies for scaling into new products, services and markets
- Discover funding options and support for growing businesses
- Get your business financially ready to seek funding
- Strengthen financial controls and manage the costs of growth
- Learn how to grow your customer base through focused marketing
- Explore practical ways to use AI to improve efficiency and support growth
Our other free guides
Fresh Start Guide
- Explore whether self-employment could be right for you
- Build your confidence and identify your skills
- Understand the common costs of setting up a business
- Develop your business idea and plan your finances
- Learn how self-employment could affect your benefits
- Get guidance on customers, suppliers and marketing
- Discover useful technology, free tools and business support
- Learn how to adapt to change and navigate your first six months in business
The essential guide to starting a business
- Research your business idea and understand your potential market
- Create a business strategy and develop your business plan
- Understand different business structures and how to set up a limited company
- Learn about business finances, funding options and tax
- Get guidance on setting up and managing your supply chain
- Learn how to market your business and reach customers
- Discover how networking can help you build your business
- Understand how to protect your business's intellectual property
Guide to business resilience - download
- Back yourself – hear from our ambassadors on confidence tips for new founders
- financial planning and resilience
- funding options and guidance
- focusing on customers
- technology solutions
- energy use solutions
- supply chain solutions
- making the best use of technology
- recruiting and supporting staff
- mental health and wellbeing
Making business finance work for you - download
- Designed to help businesses know what type of finance is right for them
- Discover the types of finance you can use to start a business
- Learn how finance can support your business growth
- Understand how to consolidate debt or purchase a major asset
- Read chapters on working capital, importing/exporting, R&D and more
Essential Guide to PR
- Crafting effective press releases
- Working with journalists
- Engaging customers with social media
- Maximising your website
Social Media toolkit - download
- Choosing the right social media platforms for your business
- Creating a social media strategy
- Techniques you can use to save time and money
- Using social media advertising to build your business
- How to monitor competitors on social media
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