How to Build and Scale Teams Effectively in Times of Rapid Growth

 By Ruairí Conroy

The need to build a cohesive team is a common challenge for any manager.

However, when a business’ growth goes from fast to steep, due either to necessary acceleration or entries into new markets, the already difficult challenge of building a productive unit is only intensified. In these situations, the sheer speed of growth raises the stakes, and business leaders need to act and react in a way that ensures the long-term success of both the business and the employees.

The challenges of achieving growth

Challenge #1: Managing a team whose growth has been recently stimulated

In the tumultuous and change-filled period that comes with accelerated growth, there are a number of key things which will ultimately drive great outcomes for your team.

Firstly, be your authentic self, always.

Interestingly, many new starters to a business are influenced to join the company far less for the brand name, but for the hiring manager and peers that collectively own the culture. Being your true self and MAKING TIME for people will ALWAYS give any business leader huge credibility when it comes to setting goals and strategies, as employees are more likely to share direct feedback and you will intimately know the impact of any recommendations that you make.

Secondly, it is critical that you perfect your early hire process.

Business leaders need to get new hires right and if they aren’t right you’ve got to move them on or into more suitable positions ASAP. One poor hire from a self-motivation and culture fit perspective can bring an entire team and in exceptional circumstances, a whole office down with them. The first couple of people hired should ideally become your first internal promotions.

Finally, prepare the team for change.

When scaling and growing, all the answers aren’t immediately present and that’s fine. Business leaders need to actively coach teams to be comfortable not being comfortable, and openly drive this message as a leader from the top down.

Challenge #2: Expanding a global business into a new country:

Expanding a global business into a new country comes with its own unique set of challenges and will vary greatly from company to company, depending on its size, field and stage of evolution. There are, however, a series of constants that will help managers in this process.

Firstly, own it.

When you are scaling teams outside of the company’s headquarters, managers and business leaders must own their destiny, even if the honest truth is that this is influenced hugely by HQ. Managers and business leaders in satellite offices will stifle and derail growth if they blame poor performance on everything but themselves.

Secondly, know everyone’s name (this is hard!!!).

As a leader, the last person hired into a new office needs to feel as special as the first. If employees are hired quickly and people become a “number” then something very important is lost. This helps break down barriers of communication and gives people a genuine feeling that everyone is in the game.

Thirdly, drive recruitment through referrals.

When people are proud to work somewhere, they will refer their friends who often share certain high performing traits with the person that has referred them. This also creates a “family” feel and increases team stickiness, improving both results and retention.

And lastly, knowledge must live in a system, not in somebody’s head.

When scaling and growing teams, everyone needs to have 100% discipline on CRM and knowledge-base systems. Businesses can’t afford for a key team member to leave and walk out the door with all of their experience!

Above all, the manager must have a can do attitude and get stuck in. Be personable and challenge people to do things they never thought they could ever do. Own it, care and only hire people that the team can learn something from and that contribute positively. Growth phases are marathons that the team must sprint, so everyone needs stamina and resilience.

Finally, if you’re to take away two words from this, take these: Authenticity, always!

By Ruairí Conroy, VP Global Growth Markets, SiteMinder

Ruairí Conroy has a wealth of experience across the technology and media landscapes, having spent almost a decade at Google and AdRoll and, prior, at Dublin’s 98FM and Spin 1038 radio stations.

Having led the opening of AdRoll’s first base in Ireland, Ruairí joined the global hotel industry’s leading guest acquisition platform, SiteMinder, in 2016 to repeat his success by opening the company’s Galway office, which grew to 100 people within only three months. Ruairí subsequently led SiteMinder’s largest and fastest-growing region as Managing Director of EMEA, before assuming his current role of VP Global Growth Markets in 2019 to develop the company’s go-to-market strategy in key regions and enhance the journey of all its customers.

Ruairí holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology & Telecommunications, a Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising with eCommerce, and a Master of Science in Strategic Management.

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