Business Growth: Efficient Processes for Managing Rapid Business Growth

December 7, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.”  — James Cash Penney

As part of our series exploring the role of process in business growth, this week I’d like to focus on the systems and workflows needed to manage rapid growth efficiently. Whether you're a tech startup scaling across Europe, an e-commerce business expanding from Johannesburg to Nairobi, or a services company growing regionally across Kenya, having the right processes in place is the difference between sustainable success and operational chaos.

Business Growth: How to Leverage Technology to Simplify Growth

October 3, 2025 Melanie Hawken

by Dr Michélle Booysen

“Technology should do the heavy lifting, so people can focus on what matters most.” – Reid Hoffman

Whether you're an emerging enterprise or a well-established business entering new markets, integrated, process-led technology choices can reduce friction, improve efficiency, and unlock those opportunities.

Thinking Bigger: Why Women Entrepreneurs Must Embrace Bold Ambitions

September 15, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Sarah Dusek

If there’s one lesson I’ve learned throughout my entrepreneurial journey, it’s this: success requires us to think bigger. Far too often, I meet female entrepreneurs with brilliant ideas who aren’t dreaming big enough. We hold ourselves back by playing small, thinking that modest goals are more achievable. But the truth is, by limiting our ambitions, we’re not only underestimating ourselves—we’re also undercutting the potential of our businesses.

10 Basics of Pitching to Potential Investors

June 30, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

When pitching to potential investors, be prepared for all pitch levels such as 15 minutes, 10 minutes or 5 minutes. it's also important to be clear, concise, and compelling. Ensure that you follow these 10 basic steps:

Strategies to Grow a Business

April 12, 2024 Melanie Hawken

by Helena Naitsuwe Amadhila

Businesses are unique entities that require constant upgrading to grow to ensure relevance and generation of income at all times. Here are some strategies to grow a business in a dynamic world.

The 3 Fundamental types of people who will shift your growth and the trajectory of your life

May 20, 2023 Melanie Hawken

by Ntsoaki Sibiya

All of us want to accelerate our growth across landscapes of whatever our chosen craft is. When you are building yourself up, whether it be in business, sports, entertainment, or whatever your chosen craft may be, if you really want to accelerate your growth and development, and to take yourself to the next level of your capabilities, there are 3 kinds of people you need in your life. You need a Coach, a Mentor, and a Sponsor!

How to transform your hand-crafted artisan business into an impactful world-class brand

August 20, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Tapiwa Matsinde

Learning and refining your craft skills has taken a lot of your time and energy, and those of the artisans you work with. You are starting to see the results of your dedication and commitment and are now ready to take your business and work to the next level by positioning and presenting it in a way that reflects its high-quality craftsmanship and sophistication. Whether you are keeping your focus within your local markets or seeking to appeal to a global audience, excellence in craftsmanship, creativity and presentation are essential for successfully positioning your business as a world-class brand. To help you transform your hand-crafted artisan business into an impactful world-class brand here are key areas to pay attention to:

Growth Comes in Many Forms – Are You Ready?

May 28, 2022 Melanie Hawken

by Anja van Beek

One thing we know for certain is that we can’t solve today’s challenges with yesterday’s wisdom. We need to choose a growth mindset. What I have seen in my coaching practice is that if we don’t stretch ourselves, we are often nudged by some external event to be stretched to grow. But what does this mean? How do you embrace a growth mindset?

‘Scaling Up’ takes time - but you are halfway there already!

September 12, 2021 Melanie Hawken

by Lionesses of Africa Operations Dept

Following on from our recent articles, you have tightened up your structure and processes, you have a decent team around you that understands and appreciates the direction you are taking the company. You have invested time and energy in training to motivate and keep your staff. You have ‘controlled the controllables”, and you have mitigated in part your un-controllables through partnerships or closer relationships in your supply chain. You have made it through the last two years with a mixture of grit, determination, self sacrifice and (yes) a bit of luck (to reread those articles, please visit our website here). You went online and now have an ever increasing demand for your products or services, not just from your local community, or your state, but from your wider country and even beyond (who knew that someone would find your website and click ‘Buy Now’ whilst sitting in Sweden!). You wake up one morning and realize that the time is right to ‘scale up’ and ride this wave!

Quote of the Day by Anja van Beek

September 9, 2020 Melanie Hawken

“The only way to grow is to get out of your comfort zone and learn as you go.”

Anja van Beek, founder, Anja van Beek Consulting and Coaching (South Africa)

Entrepreneur Advice from Zainab Ashadu: I strongly believe in organic growth

December 19, 2019 Melanie Hawken

Zainab Ashadu, Founder and Creative Director of Zashadu Bags in Nigeria — **Zainab Ashadu**, Founder and Creative Director of Zashadu Bags in Nigeria

Starting small and growing organically is a plus....

“In terms of expansion, I strongly believe in organic growth as there is nothing more motivating or satisfying… The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to dream big, but start small.”

Zainab Ashadu, Founder and Creative Director of Zashadu Bags (Nigeria)

Entrepreneur Advice from Zainab Ashadu: Organic growth is what you want

October 31, 2018 Melanie Hawken

Zainab Ashadu, founder of Zashadu Bags, Nigeria — **Zainab Ashadu**, founder of Zashadu Bags, Nigeria

Growing your business organically is the way to go....

“In terms of expansion, I strongly believe in organic growth as there is nothing more motivating or satisfying… The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to dream big, but start small.”

Zainab Ashadu, founder of Zashadu (Nigeria)

Quote of the Day by Divine Ndhlukula

May 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken

"We want to expand from being solely a Zimbabwean security services company into being an African giant.”

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

Entrepreneur Advice from Alison Barnard: Take baby steps to grow

September 7, 2016 Melanie Hawken

Alison Barnard, founder of African Kaleidoscope Events (South Africa) — **Alison Barnard**, founder of African Kaleidoscope Events (South Africa)

Take baby steps to grow....

"If your gut is telling you to startup in business, you should listen to it and go for it - take baby steps and grow slowly so that you can feel the success, and build up the finances and confidence in yourself and in your customers."

- Alison Barnard is the founder of African Kaleidoscope Events in South Africa, a specialist event management company. Alison has been providing event management services for the past 13 years to Government, Corporate and Private Individuals. She was a finalist in the SMME Category of the Top Women Awards in 2010.