Newsletter

In our last newsletter, I shared a few thoughts about how business leaders can accelerate growth through an effective use of technology – with smarter systems, automation, and better use of data.

At the same time, when we look at the businesses we’ve helped grow the most, a lot of it comes out of a CEO’s approach to IT – how their people respond, how they adapt, and how they build trust inside and outside the organisation.

We have a few suggestions, based on our experience with successful mid-sized businesses.

1. Change starts from the top

A few months ago, I was talking to a CEO who’d invested heavily in upgraded systems. The tech was sound, but enthusiasm was low. Staff didn’t see how it helped them.

The turning point came when leadership stopped talking about ‘systems’ and started talking about what’s best for the business. They framed the discussion to stress customer outcomes and making work easier for staff, and suddenly adoption followed.

2. Recession-proof with efficiency

In tougher times, efficiency is a growth strategy. One of our clients put it perfectly: ‘We stopped trying to grow by adding more and started growing by improving what we already had.’

They focused on streamlining processes, eliminating duplication, and giving their teams tools that made work easier, not harder.

3. Cyber security as an enabler, not an obstacle

When we talk about growth, cyber security doesn’t always sound exciting, until it’s the thing that damages your reputation or stops M&A in its tracks.

The good news is that keeping a business secure and making a business more efficient often rely on the same building blocks. And cyber security can be a point of difference or let enterprise clients know where they can put their trust.

To sum up: growth doesn’t always come from the shiny things; sometimes it’s about tightening the bolts, streamlining your systems, and building consensus around the changes.

If you found the above useful, you may also want to take our brief, complimentary Technology Maturity Scorecard. It gives you a clear picture of where your organisation sits at this point and highlights the practical steps to build resilience, improve efficiency, and support growth. Many leaders use it simply to validate what they’re already doing.

And, as ever, you’re always welcome to a more casual conversation about your IT, no-pressure, no-strings attached.

Every CEO I meet talks about growth, but rarely the same kind. For some, it’s about expanding into fresh markets; for others, it’s doing more with what they already have.

What they share is the frustration of knowing there’s more potential somewhere in the business…they just can’t turn this into specific initiatives.

One CEO told me their growth had ‘hit a wall.’ The bricks were their operation systems, processes, and data, which had taken many years to solidify. As a result, they found it extremely difficult to see how to push through.

That story is a reminder that growth often hides in plain sight. If you’re looking to unlock fresh opportunities, these three areas are good places to start.

1. Scale through smart tech choices

It’s paradoxical but true: growth often exposes the limits of what brought you growth in the first place. The trick is choosing systems that will take you further and not slow you down.

2. AI and automation for competitive advantage

We’ve seen clients use AI and automation to make better decisions and liberate hundreds of hours a month. None of it is ‘tech for tech’s sake’; it’s about buying back time so you can focus on customers and strategy.

3. Unlocking value from data

Another CEO told me recently, ‘We have data everywhere, but we still make decisions on instinct.’ And we like instinct – when it’s supported by facts. Because the companies that grow fastest tend to be the ones that use their instincts to see clearly and move quickly.

To sum up: growth doesn’t always come from big bets. Sometimes it’s the small, focused changes that release energy across the business: the right system choice, the right automation, or the right data insight.

If any of this sounds familiar, I’d encourage you to reflect on where the friction is in your own business. That’s often where the possibilities are hiding.

You can find more ideas in our Business Growth Knowledge Centre. And, as ever, we’re always up for a no-strings conversation if you’d like to connect.

Our recent webinar was one of our most successful yet. It wasn’t merely the number of attendees. The quality of the questions and (if I may) the panel were outstanding. We invite you to watch the recording.

Let’s look at the main takeaways – the clear, practical insights on how leaders can strengthen their organisation’s resilience and make cyber security a Board-level priority.

1 Start with risk, not technology 

Before investing in tools, assess your business’s risk and your appetite for risk. Use this to personally ensure your leaders are aware and invested – committed leadership must precede smart tech.

2 You can’t separate cyber from strategy

Your protection measures are merely as strong as your systems, your people, your partners, and your resilience strategy. But when everybody is aligned, security becomes an enabler, not a constraint.

3. Security and efficiency go hand-in-hand

Cyber security may seem distant from growth strategy. Not true! Many of the measures that make your business secure also make it more streamlined, scalable, and efficient. 

4. Use accreditation as a launchpad

Certifications like Cyber Essentials Plus are an excellent first milestone, boosting both your protection and credibility with customers. In fact, we’ve seen clients find business because their certifications were a point of difference over their competitors.
 
If you’re looking for a detailed discussion about keeping your business safe, we suggest a 90-minute cyber risk session. It’s a focused discussion on your current risk posture, the critical gaps, and the reasonable next steps to protect your business. 
 
Find out more: 90-minute cyber risk session for CEOs and CFOs
 
And of course, you’re always welcome to contact us directly for a confidential conversation about cyber security and leadership. Cyber Security Month may be ending, but it’s an issue to keep your eye on year-round.  

It’s Cyber Security Awareness Month, and in our last newsletter we warned about the 4 biggest cyber threats to look out for.

In this newsletter, we wanted to highlight some good news. This is our list of positive developments in cyber with an eye toward mid-sized businesses.

1. It’s actually not rocket science.

It’s still the case that most successful cyber attacks exploit basic mistakes and technical weaknesses. And these lapses can be simply addressed by good leadership. 

2. The government gets it

Whatever its other faults, the government shows focus on resilience with its recent plans, strategies and frameworks. Additionally, funding to CyberASAP will support more research and innovation in cyber security.

3. Cyber coverage seems to be getting cheaper

Reports show pricing is down across the UK and EU. 

4. Awareness is working

More businesses are seeking Cyber Essentials certification, and companies up and down the supply chain are realizing they’re merely as safe as their own partners. High-profile hacks, while damaging, are demonstrating the importance of protecting mid-sized businesses. 
 
Good news indeed. But if you’re still concerned about your own business, we’re offering a Cyber security masterclass for CEOs and CFOs on 22 October, 12:30-13:30pm UK. It’s an hour that will provide you with the practical steps you can take to promote cyber resilience in your business.
 
You’re always welcome to contact us for a no-pressure chat about cyber security or anything else tech/strategy-related in your business.  

For many CEOs, the temptation is to cross your fingers and let the IT team handle Cyber Security. 

But October is Cyber Security Awareness Month, so let’s talk about what business leaders themselves should do to protect their companies. Even if they’re not technical experts, business leaders need to provide leadership in this critical area as they do in other areas. 
 
We asked our own security experts to outline the biggest threats CEOs should keep an eye on in the coming months:

1 Ransomware attacks

Ransomware continues to be a significant threat, and the average payout for even smaller businesses to recover from a breach can be five figures. Most ransomware attacks rely on cultural weaknesses; good leaders create the conditions to prevent these.

2 Supply chain vulnerabilities

You’re as safe or unsafe as your vendors, and many have a lackluster approach to security. Conversely, your partners may have stringent security requirements, so your own cyber security may become a critical part of your market position.

3 Insider threats

These vulnerabilities can be malicious or simply accidental. Either way, sometimes the danger lies within.

4 Complacency

Many mid-sized businesses simply don’t see themselves as potential targets, and many business leaders don’t know how to make a difference. Unfortunately, these days every company is a potential target, but good leaders can move the dial. 
 
The key first step is for the CEO and CFO to make cyber a priority with a purposeful and commercial approach.
 
With this in mind, we’re offering a Cyber security masterclass for CEOs and CFOs on 22 October, 12:30-13:30pm UK. It’s an hour that will provide you with the practical steps you can take straightaway to promote cyber resilience in your business.
 
And, as ever, you’re always welcome to contact us for a no-pressure chat about cyber security – or anything else IT-related – in your business.