Last week on LinkedIn, I followed an interesting discussion about small business. The discussion was based on an article that appeared on the National Journal website under the title "Most Small Businesses Don't Want to Grow". The just of the article was that most small businesses, especially those with fewer than 20 employees, are not interested in growing their business.

It seemed that most of the participants in the LinkedIn discussion concurred that small companies are not interested in growth. I disagree. Having worked with small companies from less than $500 thousand in revenue up to $50 million in revenue, I can truly say that I have never encountered one that wasn't interested in growth. They might, however, view their growth goals much differently than would a large business.

Large companies like to see that year-in-year-out march of steadily increasing revenues and profits, with ready explanations for the occasional hiccup. Assuming that the growth hasn't come as a result of too much dilution of the share base, it should result in a steady increase in the stock price and the compensation of the executives. Small businesses, on the other hand, are more focused on their ability to put cash in the bank. Their notion of growth is the steady improvement of financial circumstances and reduction of business and personal risk.

Growth is critical for small business. But growth isn't easy. Capital is extremely hard to come by and getting a new loan from a bank is very difficult right now. Virtually all loans to small business are based on the personal guaranty of the principal shareholders; so as a result, growth may actually increase their personal risk while reducing the business risk. Add to that the challenge of going to market against large powerful competitors with vast marketing budgets. No wonder many small business people are intimidated by the idea of growth. But if the small business doesn't grow, its profits will slowly be eaten away by inflation, diluted among family members or start to dwindle away from lack of innovation. Read More...