The Turnaround Model: 5 Key Factors of Accelerated Business Growth
Learn how they all work together to create real, measurable results.
All parts of an airplane must work together to successfully take the passengers safely to their destination. In the same way, all dimensions of the organization must work in tandem to accelerate results, create sustainable growth and value, and improve the bottom line.
When I think about true business transformation, I think about an airplane.
Every part of an aircraft plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and successful flight. Just as an airplane needs all its components seamlessly working together to take off, soar, and land safely, a business requires the harmonious integration of its key elements to achieve sustainable growth.
Let’s break down how each part contributes to this journey and the risks involved if any one part is neglected.
PEOPLE: THE ENGINE
People are the powerful force behind every effort. They are the primary source of thrust and innovation. Without properly equipped, engaged, and highly tuned engines, even the most advanced and expensive aircraft will remain grounded—and the same goes for organizations.
PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGY: THE WINGS
Proven processes reduce risk while increasing efficiency and consistency. Processes ensure every action is streamlined and aerodynamic, carefully coordinated, and executed with precision. They allow you to rise above challenges and give your organization the necessary lift so it can focus on higher altitude opportunities. Neglecting processes—or worse, holding onto “the way things have always been done”—can weigh your plane—and your business—down, causing it to spiral, waste resources, and send your bottom line into the ground.
Technology automates and accelerates execution of processes. When used and leveraged correctly, technology enhances every aspect of your flight, from takeoff to landing, by providing critical metrics, improving performance, and ensuring safety. However, technology misused or underutilized can lead to inefficiencies and errors, much like faulty avionics could jeopardize an entire flight.
LEADERSHIP: THE COCKPIT
Leadership provides orientation and direction of all activities. Just as pilots need a clear vision and steady hands to guide the airplane, businesses require strong leadership and a supportive culture to navigate challenges and maintain focus. During times of change, not all leaders are created equal—many times a CEO who excels in steady-state environments can find and create unnecessary turbulence during a transformation. Having the right hand on the helm can make all the difference.
CULTURE: THE TAIL + STABILIZERS
Culture provides stability, allowing the business to stay on course and swiftly adjust to turbulence. A strong culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation ensures a cohesive, resilient environment, which is especially crucial for companies in the GovCon or Telecom sectors, where rapid changes and high stakes are common. Building a robust culture is particularly important during post-merger integration phases, as it helps seamlessly blend operations, maintain momentum, and drive long-term success.
CUSTOMERS + SHAREHOLDERS
Customers and shareholders benefit from the plane flying efficiently and reliably. They invest their trust and resources into your business, expecting a smooth and successful journey. Their satisfaction and confidence are vital for continued support and growth. Neglecting their needs or failing to deliver on promises can result in a loss of trust, decreased investment, and ultimately, a decline in business.
For private equity firms and corporations exploring options for operational changes to accelerate growth or profit margins, the Turnaround Model provides the framework to efficiently evaluate and implement the changes across the entire ecosystem and to optimize the results. Like an airplane, a business must have every part working together seamlessly to navigate the complexities of transformation and achieve positive and palpable growth—at any altitude.
Author Bio
In her 30+ year career as a transformation executive, Jenevieve Creary has earned a reputation for accelerating positive, palpable business growth and creating sustainable value for organizations in GovCon and beyond. Ready to elevate and accelerate your results? Click here to schedule a consultation.