Quick recap from the past 4 weeks:
- Every business follows a common lifecycle
- Plateau normally follows initial growth
- Diagnosis of why plateau has occurred could lead to a reset and shrink back
- I’ve covered ways to diagnosis symptoms and root causes of plateau and how to start the next stage of shrinking and stabilising
If you diagnosed symptoms of a plateauing business, and took my advice, you would now have paused, trimmed, stabilised. That takes some guts. It’s really hard to let good people go; say goodbye to clients who you have served for years; stop delivering certain types of work. You may have even had to field rumours that you are a sinking ship. So what now?
Version 2.0
This is the truly exciting bit. The stage where you regrow your business. Not the same business, but one that is built around a blueprint totally aligned to your values, energy and goals.
Remember growth the first time? The first time around, growth was about proving the concept. Winning clients. Paying the bills. Maybe even keeping up with competitors. But Version 2.0 isn’t about validation. It’s about deliberate design.
This version of growth prioritises:
- Sustainability over scale
- Margin over volume
- Focus over chaos
- Freedom over founder-dependency
You’re not just building a business. You’re building a way of working and living that you actually want to keep!
The Blueprint
Refine your offer
What’s the work you want to be known for in 3 years? Strip your services down to what you do best, and what people pay well for. This is your “hell yes” zone. It’s what energises your team and delivers clear results for your clients.
Reposition your message
Talk with confidence and clarity. This isn’t about noise, It’s about speaking to your higher- value, ideal client with authority. Drop vague promises, be specific, Be bold and be you.
Raise your prices
Version 1.0 was all about survival. Survival mode means prices are compromised. In Version 2.0 you price for margin, time, energy and value-delivered. You are going to deliver your best and your ideal client will be happy to pay more for that.
Build a proper business
Version 2,0 will be a proper, grown up business. Everything will be documented. Processes and services will be templated. Automation will be everywhere. Systems will be integrated. Your blueprint will be based on consistency, not customisation. Quality will be high and never sacrificed. Anything done twice has a system built before the third time.
Build a team you trust
In Version 1.0 you chased and checked things with your team. Your team in Version 2.0 will be hired for responsibility and accountability over output. These are your trusted partners who will execute your vision so give them the ownership and the freedom to do that.
Your time is now the business’ most valuable asset
You will no longer be taking on the minimum wage role to firefight. You are the strategist, the culture shaper and the visionary. In Version 2,0 your calendar will reflect and respect that, and your trusted team will protect it.
How to know if its working
Your business will be growing up and you will see the benefits in obvious ways:
- Better sleep
- Smiling more
- Leading rather than chasing
- Team members consistently stepping up and delivering
- Fewer meetings
- Better and more engaged clients
Ultimately everyone will be saying: “This feels different, but better”
Summary
When I wrote this newsletter series it was long as I had so much to say about helping business owners understand why they are seeing growth stall and problems increasing, and how to analyse and address this. It has turned out to be a 5 part series across the whole month. If you have read all 5 parts, firstly thank you, and secondly, please reach out and we can discuss this in more detail. This is a critical part of the lifecycle, and, if understood, and executed right, will lead you into the final stages of whatever form of exit you are looking for.
Helping leaders and businesses drive success forward
Here at Nuvem9, we do things a bit differently – we’re not your traditional accountants or financial advisors.
We empower ambitious business owners to grow with clarity and confidence. Based in the UK, we specialise in working in creative and service-led industries that demand a financial partner who gets it — responsive, knowledgeable and always easy to talk to.
Whether you’re scaling up, navigating change, or just need someone who speaks your language, we bring experienced financial and commercial advice and proactive support that keeps your finances clear, compliant, and under control. No jargon. No delays. Just sharp insights and a team who’s got your back.
Want to see if we could be a fit for your business? Let’s connect virtually (we’ll be live, no robots here).
