2: Growth - Features and Challenges

Customer base is growing, revenue is increasing, operations becoming more efficient as mistakes corrected, cash flow issues reduced as more revenue entering the firm than leaving in expenses. Can struggle with control over business direction.

More employees required to build firm (how many / who / what roles?); substantial investment required for growth—new stores, new products, new technologies / systems, new premises. 

Firm may be profitable but profits likely reinvested into this growth (delay current rewards to shareholders in hope of greater rewards later). 

Cash flow issues may result from continual spending of cash on long-term assets for growth (equipment / premises / research and development / new product design).

Business could merge with rivals / acquire other businesses to increase revenue / access expertise / new products. 

Franchising could be viable option for rapid growth.