--- title: Business Growth Blog | not for profit description: not for profit | 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) --- [![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) ## [Increasing the odds of success for a social enterprise](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/increasing-the-odds-of-success-for-a-social-enterprise) By Dr Shai Vyakarnam ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/dice-1264058_1920.jpg) #### When you are cash strapped and resource hungry, how do you beat the odds and increase your chances of becoming a successful social entrepreneur? [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/increasing-the-odds-of-success-for-a-social-enterprise) ## [It is Not Luck that Drives Entrepreneurs - It's Timing](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/it-is-not-luck-that-drives-entrepreneurs-its-timing) By Dr Shai Vyakarnam ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/Blog_Images/cranfield-blog-timing-not-luck.jpg) ### When should we attempt to enter the market? When can we start to talk about our ideas? And who else is doing the same thing? [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/it-is-not-luck-that-drives-entrepreneurs-its-timing) ## [Business Growth Programme: In Their Own Words](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/business-growth-programme-in-their-own-words) By Team BGP ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP%20Blog/BGP%20Images/Blog%20Post%20Images/microphone%20-speak-audio-2941753-757579-edited-813746-edited.jpg) #### Every business is different and enjoys a distinct journey - past and future. Furthermore, each business owner or manager is different and will undertake a personal growth journey specific to them. Here are 8 lessons BGP delegates have learnt about themselves and about their business on the programme - in their own, unedited words... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/business-growth-programme-in-their-own-words) ## [Four proven strategies for entrepreneurial success](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/proven-strategies-for-entrepreneurial-success) By Team BGP ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/Blog_Images/cranfield-blog-strategies-for-entrepreneurial-success.jpg) More than half of business start-ups fail after four to five years, and of those that survive only around 4% become successful. One of the aspects that distinguishes these entrepreneurs from the competition is their approach to strategy. Successful entrepreneurs tend to embrace rather than reject corporate strategies, and they will often trade off or tone down brash entrepreneurial behaviour for a more civilised approach. This results in a strategy with a winning formula for entrepreneurs and... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/blog/proven-strategies-for-entrepreneurial-success) ## [The business tool that could save you time and boost your growth](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/the-new-business-tool-that-could-save-you-time-and-boost-your-growth) By Matt Puttick ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/DNA%20Report%20Image%20-%20wide.jpg) #### What could you achieve in 20 minutes? Catch-up on emails, make that call you keep putting off, take a quick look at the figures and see if you're on track? OR, create a 14-page business growth plan that will benchmark you against some of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs? [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/the-new-business-tool-that-could-save-you-time-and-boost-your-growth) ## [How digital can help an SME Business effectively launch a product](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/how-digital-can-help-an-sme-business-effectively-launch-a-product) By Guest Blog ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/BGP_Blog/BGP_Images/mobile-phone-426559_1920-012432-edited.jpg) *Guest blog, provided by Sean Singleton, BGP Alumni, Managing Director at [Your Favourite Story](http://www.yourfavouritestory.com/).* #### The beauty of digital marketing is it allows SME businesses to punch massively above their weight. However, it's not easy and requires effort and expertise. It is becoming increasingly difficult for SME businesses to find new effective routes to engage customers at every level. As product lifecycles continue to decrease and brand loyalty is at an all-time low, businesses must re-examine marketing... [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/how-digital-can-help-an-sme-business-effectively-launch-a-product) ## [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) ## [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) ## [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) ## [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) ## [BGP Alumni Enjoy Massive Success at the National Business Awards](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/bgp-alumni-enjoy-massive-success-at-the-national-business-awards) By Marcus Crawley ![](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/hubfs/Blog_Images/cranfield-blog-national-business-awards-2015.jpg) Two companies founded by BGP alumni were winners at the 2015 National Business Awards. GoApe, the outdoor adventure company set up by Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew, took home ‘The Customer Focus Award’, while youth marketing agency Livity and co-founders Sam Conniff and Michelle Morgan collected ‘The Social Enterprise of the Year Award’. [Read More](https://blog.som.cranfield.ac.uk/bgpblog/bgp-alumni-enjoy-massive-success-at-the-national-business-awards) ## [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/not-for-profit/page/0) 2 << First Last >> ### 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)