--- title: Are Scale and Growth the Same? - Stratford Group Ltd. description: Learn the difference between growth and scale in business and how to successfully scale your company using a five-step approach. image: https://www.stratford.group/hubfs/BLOG-Are%20Scale%20and%20Growth%20the%20Same.png --- [![stratford_logo_200px](https://www.stratford.group/hubfs/stratford_logo_200px.webp) ](https://www.stratford.group) - [Management Consulting](https://www.stratford.group/management-consulting-services) - [Strategic Planning & Implementation](https://www.stratford.group/strategic-planning-implementation-services) - [IT Digital Services](https://www.stratford.group/digital-solutions) - [Cybersecurity](https://go.stratford.group/cybersecurity-it-digital-strategy-for-organizations) - [CEO Advisory & Board Governance](https://www.stratford.group/ceo-board-governance) - [AI Prompt Engineering Workshop](https://www.stratford.group/generative-ai-prompt-engineering-workshop) - [People & Culture Consulting](https://www.stratford.group/people-culture-consulting-services) - [Virtual & Interim HR Support](https://www.stratford.group/virtual-interim-hr-services) - [Leadership Development](https://leadership-development.stratford.group) - [HR Strategy & Organizational Development](https://www.stratford.group/hr-strategy-organizational-design) - [Total Rewards](https://www.stratford.group/total-rewards-consulting-services) - [HR Policy & Compliance Review](https://www.stratford.group/hr-policy-and-compliance-review) - [Intellectual Property Agency](https://www.stratford.group/full-service-ip-agency) - [IP Strategy Review & Design](https://www.stratford.group/ip-strategy-review-design) - [Virtual IP Department](https://www.stratford.group/virtual-ip-department) - [IP Strategy Education](https://www.stratford.group/ip-education-services) - [IP Patent Portfolio Impact Assessment](https://www.stratford.group/ip-patent-portfolio-impact-assessment) - Resources - [News & Events](https://www.stratford.group/news) - [Blog](https://www.stratford.group/blog) - [Resources](https://www.stratford.group/stratford-expert-resources) - [Contact](https://www.stratford.group/contact-us) # Are Scale and Growth the Same? The short answer is 'not quite'. Read on to discover how growth and scale differ in their approach and impact. May 22, 2024, 9:15:00 AM *Scaling a business means growing it exponentially in a repeatable and quality manner without proportional increases in resources or costs. Unlike linear growth, which often diminishes profits by merely adding resources, a scalable approach enhances value. Adopting a scalable methodology, like Stratford's five-step approach based on Verne Harnish's "Scaling Up" and consulting experience, helps businesses achieve sustainable success. Surrounding the business with growth-focused individuals is crucial for successful scaling. * ** --- In the business world, growth is the defacto indicator of a successful business and we often think of it in linear terms. Scale on the other hand is the ability to exponentially grow the company in a repeatable, quality manner without adding an equal amount of resource or cost. Scaling has become a modern term for companies of any size looking to answer the question, “How do we take the company to the next level to continue to drive value both for customers and for the company?” We have observed that when companies focus on growth for the sake of growth, they throw resources at it to serve this purpose and as a result, profit is diminished. However, growing companies based on a scalable approach creates enhanced value. Quoting from the [Harvard Business Review article](https://hbr.org/2013/05/why-the-lean-start-up-changes-everything) in May 2013 by Steve Blank, “Scaling isn’t just about growing a company; it’s about making fundamental changes to the business so that it can grow without being constrained. Growth is about getting bigger. Scaling is about getting better at getting better.” Is there a way to successfully scale your company or organization which increases your likelihood of success? Of course there is. At Stratford, we have developed a scale methodology which is loosely based in Verne Harnish’s wildly successful book “Scaling Up” coupled with our own business and consulting experience helping clients achieve just this. The model is depicted below in a five-step approach. ![Horizontal infographic depicting the steps of the scale advantage framework discussed in the post](https://www.stratford.group/hs-fs/hubfs/MK-Blog%20and%20News%20Images/INFOGRAPHIC-Scale%20Advantage.png?width=720&height=405&name=INFOGRAPHIC-Scale%20Advantage.png) Surround yourself with people who are focused on growth and have the experience to take the business to the next level, as this is one of the most important aspects of successfully scaling a business. [Stratford Management Consulting](https://stratford.group/team/colleen-kelley/) has worked with companies of all sizes to assist with meeting their business objectives and growth targets. Combining years of expertise with an emphasis on strategy and execution, we work with your company to move you to the next level in a sustainable manner. [Reach out to us](https://stratford.group/contact/) today to see how we can help you achieve your potential. You Might Be Interested In: [Your Strategy-to-Scale Playbook](https://www.stratford.group/your-strategy-to-scale-playbook) #### About the Author | ![MC-Colleen Kelley Headshot 2024-Circle](https://www.stratford.group/hs-fs/hubfs/MK-Headshots/MC-Colleen%20Kelley%20Headshot%202024-Circle.png?width=150&height=135&name=MC-Colleen%20Kelley%20Headshot%202024-Circle.png)   | Colleen Kelley* is President of [Stratford Management ](https://www.stratford.group/management-consulting-services)[Consulting](https://www.stratford.group/management-consulting-services). She is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in both high-tech OEM and contract manufacturing sectors. She is an engaging leader with substantive skill in profit and loss management, customer orientation, program management and supply chain management. Colleen also brings significant experience in merger and acquisition activities, as well as leading organizations through substantial transition.* | | --- | --- |   [Scaling for Growth](https://www.stratford.group/blog/tag/scaling-for-growth), [Colleen Kelley](https://www.stratford.group/blog/tag/colleen-kelley), [Management Consulting](https://www.stratford.group/blog/tag/management-consulting) ![Stratford-Horizontal-Logo-RGB-White](https://www.stratford.group/hubfs/MK%20-%20Stratford%20Logos/Stratford-Horizontal-Logo-RGB-White.png) We Believe Better is Possible. ### Better Results --- - [Strategy](https://www.stratford.group/strategic-planning-implementation-services) - [IT Digital](https://www.stratford.group/digital-solutions) - [CEO Advisory](https://www.stratford.group/ceo-board-governance) ### Better Teams --- - [Virtual HR](https://www.stratford.group/virtual-interim-hr-services) - [Total Rewards](https://www.stratford.group/total-rewards-consulting-services) - [HR Strategy](https://www.stratford.group/hr-strategy-organizational-design) - [Leadership](https://www.stratford.group/leadership-development) ### Better IP Strategy --- - [IP Agency](https://www.stratford.group/full-service-ip-agency) - [IP Strategy](https://www.stratford.group/ip-strategy-review-design) - [IP Education](https://www.stratford.group/ip-education-services) - [IP Management](https://www.stratford.group/virtual-ip-department) ### Better Support --- - [About Stratford](https://www.stratford.group/about) - [Join Stratford](https://www.stratford.group/join-the-team) - [News & Events](https://www.stratford.group/news) - [Blog](https://www.stratford.group/blog) - [Resources](https://www.stratford.group/stratford-expert-resources) - [Pricing](https://www.stratford.group/pricing) - [Employee Login](https://www.stratford.group/stratford-internal-resource-library) - [Legal Disclaimer](https://stratford-21099497.hs-sites.com/legal-disclaimer) - [Privacy](https://stratford-21099497.hs-sites.com/privacy-policy) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratford-group-ltd/) © 2009-2026 Stratford Group Ltd. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Stratford Group Ltd.", "url" : "https://www.stratford.group/blog/author/stratford-group-ltd-" }, "dateModified" : "2025-12-11T16:09:25.906Z", "datePublished" : "2024-05-22T13:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "Are Scale and Growth the Same? - Stratford Group Ltd.", "image" : [ "https://www.stratford.group/hubfs/BLOG-Are%20Scale%20and%20Growth%20the%20Same.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.stratford.group/blog/are-scale-and-growth-the-same", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.stratford.group/hubfs/Stratford-Horizontal-Logo-RGB.png" }, "name" : "Stratford Group Ltd" } } ```