--- title: Business Growth Blog | business growth challenges (5) description: business growth challenges | Business Growth Blog, giving insight to owner-managers and entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses. Powered by the Cranfield School of Management Business Growth Programme (BGP) (5) --- [![School of Management Logo](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/LD_Blog_Live_Site_Files/logo-som.png?width=580&name=logo-som.png "School of Management Logo")](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk) - Blog Topics - [Business Growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/topic/business-growth-challenges) - [Family Business & Succession](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/topic/succession) - [Not-for-Profit Growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/topic/not-for-profit) - [All Blogs](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog) - Learning - [The Business Growth Programme](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/growing-businesses/business-growth-programme) - [Essential Management](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/growing-businesses/essential-management) - [Sales Essentials](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/growing-businesses/sales-essentials-for-success) - [Finance Fundamentals](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/growing-businesses/finance-fundamentals-for-growing-businesses) - [Masterclass: Selling Your Business](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/open-executive-programmes/growing-businesses/selling-your-business-masterclass) - More - [Contact](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-contact) - [SUBSCRIBE](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-home#sub-form) [Subscribe](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-home#sub-form) - Menu Item 1 - Sub-menu Item 1 - Another Item - Sub-menu Item 2 - Menu Item 2 - Yet Another Item - Menu Item 3 - Menu Item 4 Quick links [Growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/business-growth-challenges) [Family & Succession](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/succession) [Not-for-Profit](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/not-for-profit) [About](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-about) Hit enter to seach. ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/LD_Blog_Live_Site_Files/Images/logo-responsive.svg) # Business Growth Programme # Succession Challenges # Not-for-Profit # All Blogs [Growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/business-growth-challenges) [Family & Succession](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/succession) [Not-for-Profit](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/not-for-profit) [All](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Returning to the workplace - an HR guide - 14 May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/returning-to-the-workplace-an-hr-guide-14th-may) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Taking Stock - How COVID-19 has impacted my business - 12 May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/taking-stock-how-covid-19-has-impacted-my-business-12th-may) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Taking Stock - Where are we with this crisis? - 7th May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/taking-stock-where-are-we-with-this-crisis-7th-may) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Taking Stock - Key Lessons from Webinars in April - 5th May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/taking-stock-key-lessons-from-webinars-in-april-5th-ma) Register for one of our FREE Business Growth Briefings.  [Register Now](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/ld-blog/free-business-growth-briefing) ![ebook-placeholder.jpg](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BGP%20Blog/BGP%20Images/Brochures/BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png?width=554&name=BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png "ebook-placeholder.jpg") **Download the BGP Brochure** This programme helps ambitious owner-managers, like yourself, who are looking to create a different and better future for themselves and their business. [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a) FEATURED [BGP Alumni Enjoy Massive Success at the National Business Awards **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/bgp-alumni-enjoy-massive-success-at-the-national-business-awards) Register for one of our FREE Business Growth Briefings [Learn More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/ld-blog/free-business-growth-briefing) ![brochure.jpg](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BGP%20Blog/BGP%20Images/Brochures/BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png?width=554&name=BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png "brochure.jpg") **Download the BGP Brochure** This programme helps ambitious owner-managers, like yourself, who are looking to create a different and better future for themselves and their business. [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a) Register for one of our FREE Business Growth Briefings [Learn More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/ld-blog/free-business-growth-briefing) ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BGP%20Blog/BGP%20Images/Brochures/BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png?width=554&name=BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png) **Download the BGP Brochure** This programme helps ambitious owner-managers, like yourself, who are looking to create a different and better future for themselves and their business. [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Returning to the workplace - an HR guide - 14 May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/returning-to-the-workplace-an-hr-guide-14th-may) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Taking Stock - How COVID-19 has impacted my business - 12 May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/taking-stock-how-covid-19-has-impacted-my-business-12th-may) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Taking Stock - Where are we with this crisis? - 7th May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/taking-stock-where-are-we-with-this-crisis-7th-may) FEATURED [WEBINAR ON DEMAND | Taking Stock - Key Lessons from Webinars in April - 5th May **Read More**](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/taking-stock-key-lessons-from-webinars-in-april-5th-ma) Register for one of our FREE Business Growth Briefings. [Learn More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/ld-blog/free-business-growth-briefing) [![ebook-placeholder.jpg](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BGP%20Blog/BGP%20Images/Brochures/BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png?width=554&name=BGP_Brochure_Cover_Image-785650-edited.png "ebook-placeholder.jpg")](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/Cranfield_Live_Site_Files/CF_Live_Images/ebook-placeholder.jpg) **Download the BGP Brochure** This programme helps ambitious owner-managers, like yourself, who are looking to create a different and better future for themselves and their business. [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/d6dc5788-a72b-474d-b2bc-40feeb4d3b9a) ## [Become a 'Corporate Athlete' and Perform Under Pressure](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/performing-under-pressure) By Dr Veronica Burke ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Blog%20Post%20Images/work%20harder%20-%20pexels-photo-127627.jpeg) #### When it comes to achieving success in business, the route to the top is not dissimilar to that taken by elite athletes. Top performers in sport and business understand how to optimise their psychological and physical strengths to cope well under pressure. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/performing-under-pressure) ## [Company values – without them, you could have a driverless car dilemma](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/company-values-without-them-you-could-have-a-driverless-car-dilemma) By Peter Swanson ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Mercedes%20Benz%20F015%20concept%20car%20(Pixabay)-703506-edited.jpg) [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/company-values-without-them-you-could-have-a-driverless-car-dilemma) ## [Essentials of Management: Understand Sales and Profit Using 5 Key Terms](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/essentials-of-management-understand-sales-and-profit-using-5-key-terms) By Andrew Haworth ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Landing_Page_images/calculator-calculation-insurance-finance-53621-791237-edited.jpeg) ### What gets measured gets managed. So, if you want to improve the management of your business and/or profitably, manage its growth, you’ll need to get to grips with your numbers and establish some useful metrics (measures of how you are doing). To do this well you’ll need to get comfortable with a few key financial concepts. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/essentials-of-management-understand-sales-and-profit-using-5-key-terms) ## [Everything You Need to Know About Managing Conflict at Work](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-managing-conflict-at-work) By Dr Veronica Burke ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Stock_Images/man-couple-people-woman-245900-edited.jpg) #### Believe it or not, conflict in the workplace can be a good thing, it can also be a very bad thing. In simple terms, conflict is a form of interaction between parties who differ in interests, perceptions or preferences. It is an inevitable part of organisational life and can take many forms. Pressure to meet performance targets, lack of resources, rapid organisational change and power differences may all give rise to conflict and as a result, effective conflict handling is a critical management... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-managing-conflict-at-work) ## [Five New Year Resolutions for Managers](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/5-new-year-resolutions-for-managers) By Team BGP ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Stock_Images/new_years_resolutions_2%20-%20edit-306573-edited.jpg) ### Did you know, the single most common reason people switch jobs is because of their Line Manager? So, the New Year is a great time to make some resolutions associated with your behaviour as a Manager to sit alongside your other goals of getting fit, buying a new house or car or whatever else you have promised yourself this year. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/5-new-year-resolutions-for-managers) ## [Going Global Means Thinking Global: 8 Tips to Consider](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/going-global-means-thinking-global-tips) By Dr Shai Vyakarnam ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/kuala-lumpur-1820944_1280.jpg) ### There are some choices to be made as an entrepreneur. First of all, do you want to build a **global business, or go for a more lifestyle business?** **Both are good – but the consequences of the next steps are very different. Here are 8 tips to consider, if you are thinking global:** [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/going-global-means-thinking-global-tips) ## [Professor Puzzle - BGP business is officially amongst the faster growers](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/professor-puzzle-bgp-business-officially-amongst-faster-growers) By Peter Swanson ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Overhead2_WEBSHOT-610182-edited.jpg) ### This week the 2016 [Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100](http://www.fasttrack.co.uk/league-tables/fast-track-100/) was announced, with one of our BGP Alumni coming in at number 39 for the fastest growing privately owned British businesses. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/professor-puzzle-bgp-business-officially-amongst-faster-growers) ## [We Need Entrepreneurship That is Meaningful](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/we-need-entrepreneurship-that-is-meaningful) By Dr Shai Vyakarnam ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Landing_Page_images/the%20ocean%20clean%20up-203012-edited.jpg) #### There is an urgent need to help find ideas and propositions that have the capacity to transform people’s lives. The drivers for a sea change in entrepreneurship started in 1991 when the Berlin Wall came down and when India and China embraced open(ish) market systems. It’s been said there used to be two labour forces, one in the Soviet (closed) economic system and the other in the capitalist system with one and half billion working people in each. After 1991, we have one overall system of... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/we-need-entrepreneurship-that-is-meaningful) ## [How To Write An Effective Business Plan To Secure Start-up Funding](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/how-to-write-an-effective-business-plan-to-secure-start-up-funding) By Dr Steffi Hussels ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Stock_Images/office-1209640_1920-033178-edited.jpg) ### Prospective investors **usually require business plans as a first step to assess an investment** opportunity. In this way, **a business plan serves as a means of communicating a new business venture’s potential to an investor** in a logical, accessible, and consistent manner. A **good business plan** hence needs to carefully articulate the opportunity, the strategy and resource requirements, outline risks and rewards, and introduce the management team. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/how-to-write-an-effective-business-plan-to-secure-start-up-funding) ## [8 Ways to use Digital Marketing to Grow Your SME Business](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/8-ways-to-use-digital-marketing-to-grow-your-sme-business) By Guest Blog ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/Landing_Page_images/22958701374_b77db99ef3_k-869319-edited.jpg) ### Marketing as a little fish in a big pond can be tricky, especially when many businesses are still determining how to effectively reach out to their target demographics. Over the last 20 years, digital has become the main choice for lead generation, expanding business reach worldwide as well as creating innovative displays. SME businesses have begun to realise how important integrating digital marketing into their strategy is in order to survive in the competitive retail market. SME... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/8-ways-to-use-digital-marketing-to-grow-your-sme-business) ## [An open invite for Dr Liam Fox...](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/an-open-invite-to-dr-liam-fox) By Carol Foussat ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/Dr_Liam_Fox_MP_Shadow_Defence_Secretary_4475796143-511594-edited.jpg) ### This morning’s headlines are full of Trade Minister Dr Liam Fox, and his comments to the Conservative Way Forward meeting, where he described British businesses as fat and lazy and suggested that British businesses are choosing not to export because it is too difficult or time-consuming. Many business leaders have reacted angrily; Richard Reed of Innocent Drinks asked “how dare he?” on Radio Four’s Today programme this morning. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/an-open-invite-to-dr-liam-fox) ## [10 Essential Management Issues That Must Be Avoided](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/10-essential-management-issues-that-must-be-avoided) By Team BGP ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/people-woman-coffee-meeting.jpg) ### We’ve worked with more than 700 senior managers in Small to Medium Sized businesses (SMEs) in the last few years, and found a number of issues common to all.  We would like to share our Top 10 with you. The single, most important difference between successful businesses and also-rans is the quality of the senior team. The skills shelf-life of new and experienced managers is becoming shorter and shorter. If we don’t widen and deepen our management skills base our competitors will take our... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/10-essential-management-issues-that-must-be-avoided) ## [Goal-setting Lessons From the Sporting World](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/goal-setting-lessons-from-the-sporting-world) By Dr Veronica Burke ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/Blog_Images/cranfield-blog-goal-setting-lessons-from-the-sporting-world.jpg) ### In elite sport, a carefully managed goals strategy is very effective in enhancing performance – far superior to vague aspirations or no goals at all. By paying attention to what works, we can translate much of what we understand from sport into a business context. Psychological research demonstrates that difficult, high-level goals prompt superior performance much more successfully than vague ‘do-your-best’ or no goals. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/goal-setting-lessons-from-the-sporting-world) ## [Brexit – the view from ambitious owner managed businesses](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/brexit-the-view-from-ambitious-owner-managed-businesses) By Carol Foussat ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/europe-1456245_1280.jpg) [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/brexit-the-view-from-ambitious-owner-managed-businesses) ## [Factors Affecting the Growth of Small Businesses](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/factors-affecting-the-growth-of-small-businesses) By Dr Muhammad Azam Roomi ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/money-2724241_1280.jpg) #### There’s no doubt that one of the main objectives of any entrepreneur is to have their enterprise grow profitably. To achieve this, it is very important to understand the factors that contribute to growth. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/factors-affecting-the-growth-of-small-businesses) [0](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/topic/business-growth-challenges/page/0) 7 [\<\< First](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/topic/business-growth-challenges/page/1) [Last \>\>](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/topic/business-growth-challenges/page/6) ### Subscribe for content updates [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe) [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe) [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe) [![BGP Brochure](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/417879/a5d52cdd-b804-4704-80b1-ae7626ca6ebe) Filter Our Blog by Topic [Growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/business-growth-challenges) [Family & Succession](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/succession) [Not-for-Profit](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/not-for-profit) [All](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog) [About](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-about)[Growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/business-growth-challenges) [Contact](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-contact)[Succession](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/succession) [Subscribe](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgp-blog-home#sub-form)[Not-for-Profit](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/topic/not-for-profit) [All Blog](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog)[Cranfield](http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/) © 2026 Cranfield University | [Privacy Policy](https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/privacy-policy)