By Rob Dance, below, CEO and Founder of ROCK, one of the UK’s largest technology consultancies
From a young age, I have always been intrigued by the notion that two seemingly identical things can perform differently. As a child, I would observe this phenomenon with things like digital cameras, cars, and computers. This curiosity eventually led me down the path of entrepreneurship.
My passion for growing a business from a start-up to a large enterprise has always been at the forefront of my mind. I launched ROCK with a goal. I wanted to understand why some businesses were able to grow quickly and have a lasting impact, while others stayed small.
To gain a better understanding, I delved into hundreds of business books, seeking to identify the factors that set successful businesses apart. This extensive research helped me to develop an approach that has fuelled ROCK’s exponential growth over the years.
My entrepreneurial journey began at 13 when I started a tennis academy. When I was 16 years old, I had a passion for building computers. Turning my passion into a business, I began supplying computer systems to customers with noteworthy customers, including the BBC. After taking a year off to travel across Australia, I founded a small business offering computer repairs and training while pursuing a business degree.
In 2008, I founded ROCK from the garage at my parent’s house. At the time, I recognised that businesses were struggling to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change. I saw an opportunity to disrupt the IT industry by becoming one of the first companies in the UK to offer an unlimited technology service for a fixed monthly fee.
With just £1,000 and a Peugeot Partner van, I began delivering leaflets to businesses on weekends and taking jobs during the week. It was a struggle to live off £144 per week salary for the first few years. However, by reinvesting the company’s profits, we were able to expand our team and adopt new-found strategies that have helped us to scale.
Today, ROCK is a leading technology consultancy with offices throughout the UK. We help clients solve their most complex technology challenges and have successfully delivered exceptional solutions to a number of household names, including the NHS, Ford, Wildlife Trust, Mind charity, HM prisons, and the probation service.
Like every entrepreneur, I can recount a vast number of challenges that I have faced. One constant, though, has been the goals that I have been working towards. When I started ROCK, I set out five milestones that I felt would measure my growth from a startup to an enterprise-sized business. These milestones were consistent revenue growth, expanded product or service offerings, increased workforce, national or international expansion, and strong brand recognition.
Looking back at the past 15 years, I am proud to say that we have not only achieved but surpassed each of these milestones, pushing the boat out even further every year. We have consistently grown our revenue year on year, with current revenue over 10 million and a goal of reaching 20 million over the next two years. Our focus on diversifying our product and service offerings has allowed us to capture new markets and increase revenue streams, with plans to launch new technology ventures over the next two years.
As our business has grown, we have also increased our workforce, attracting and retaining top talent by fostering a unique and unparalleled culture. Our team has grown to over 100 employees across the UK, and we have set our sights on reaching 300 staff over the next three years.
Our growth has predominantly focused on the UK to date, but we have plans for national and international expansion in the near future. We aim to expand our current and future ventures overseas, exploring new markets and attracting new clients. To achieve this, we have set a specific target of entering three new international markets within the next few years, and we’re looking to list one of our new ventures on the NASDAQ by 2026.
Finally, we have achieved strong brand recognition, with our services becoming well-known and our brand being loved and used by many household names across the UK. We have a client retention rate of 99.2%, but we’re not content with stopping there. Our strategic objective is to increase client retention from 99.2% to 99.9%, which we believe is achievable through continued innovation and dedication to customer experience.
The same milestones that I set out 15 years ago are the same ones that we use today, and we’ll continue to focus on these until we achieve our mission for growth into an enterprise-sized company. By meeting these milestones, we have built credibility and demonstrated our ability to grow and scale our business.
Can it be done?
Growing a business from small to an enterprise-sized company is no easy feat. In fact, only around 1% of UK SMEs achieve sustained high growth over a period of three years. However, through my research and the following implementation of specific strategies, I have seen how you can actually increase your chances of success.
Despite the challenges, it’s encouraging to see that there are many companies that have successfully made the transition from SMEs to enterprise-sized businesses. For example, ASOS, AO.com, The Hut Group, Deliveroo, Revolut, Innocent Drinks, Zoopla, Gymshark, and Innocent Drinks have all achieved significant growth in recent years.
It is easy to think that large companies have always been large, but whilst it may seem daunting, there are specific strategies and shifts that can significantly increase your chances of attaining extreme growth.
By learning from the success stories of others and continuously innovating, it is possible to position your business for long-term success and sustainable growth.
Focus on a Specific Target Audience
One of the most critical steps I’ve taken to grow my business is to focus on a specific target audience. Based on what I’ve learned, prioritising and catering to a particular customer base can lead to exceptional growth. Since our launch, thoroughly researching and understanding our target market’s needs, preferences, and behaviours has been vital. It allows us to tailor our products, services, and marketing efforts to effectively meet our customers’ unique demands.
To achieve this, we regularly analyse demographic data, conduct surveys, and utilise various market research tools. These activities provide valuable insights into our target audience’s pain points, enabling us to create personalised experiences that resonate with them.
By honing in on a specific target audience, we can allocate our resources effectively, streamline our operations, and as a result, have become recognised for exceeding their needs, helping us to drive remarkable growth.
A great example that illustrates the success of this strategy is ASOS. By recognising the needs and preferences of young adults and offering them affordable and trendy clothing options, ASOS has established itself as a fashion powerhouse. They place a strong emphasis on providing tailored experiences, seamless shopping journeys, and fast delivery options, resulting in significant growth and a loyal customer base.
By following in the footsteps of ASOS, you can build a strong foundation for growth by catering to the specific needs of your target audience. Remember, thorough research and understanding of your target market will enable you to create exceptional experiences, position your business as a leader in your industry, and drive remarkable growth. As the saying goes, “Aim for the bullseye and watch your business soar.”
Provide Exceptional Customer Service
In a service-based business, you’re quick to realise that providing exceptional customer service is a crucial factor for growth. Based on what I’ve learned, it’s essential to set high service standards and embed them into the core of your company culture. By making customer satisfaction a top priority, you create a solid foundation for expansion.
Taking a page from AO.com’s book, a shining example of a company that prioritises exceptional customer experience, we can see how their commitment to going above and beyond has driven substantial growth. AO.com, known for its next-day delivery and installation services, has built a reputation for reliability and transparency. This dedication to satisfying customers has expanded their customer base and opened up new market opportunities.
To achieve similar success, it’s crucial to weave a customer-centric approach into your business operations. Provide comprehensive training to your employees, and empower them to exceed customer expectations. Embrace technology to optimise customer support channels, offering self-service options and streamlined interactions. Actively seek customer feedback and address any issues promptly.
Leverage Technology
To drive business growth, it is crucial to adopt certain strategies and leverage the power of technology. Working with hundreds of businesses I have seen how important it can be to embrace technology as a catalyst for innovation.
Identifying how emerging technologies can be integrated into your business model to provide innovative solutions and enhance the customer experience is crucial. Investing in and implementing various technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, automation, or adopting new communication channels, will give you a competitive edge.
Taking inspiration from successful companies like The Hut Group, which have built diverse portfolios through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, you can accelerate your own growth. Embracing technology, investing in logistics and fulfilment capabilities, and adopting data-driven marketing will position your company as a market leader and drive remarkable growth.
Capitalise on Emerging Trends
One key strategy that has proven successful in growing ROCK is capitalising on emerging trends within our industry. It’s crucial to stay informed and proactive, closely monitoring market developments and consumer behaviour. Based on what I’ve learned, conducting thorough market research is essential to identify emerging needs and preferences, enabling you to adapt your strategies accordingly.
One effective approach I’ve discovered is forming partnerships with industry leaders who can provide valuable insights and resources. By collaborating with these key players, you can stay ahead of the curve and leverage their expertise to fuel your growth. Our experience exemplifies this. By partnering with established tech giants, we gained access to cutting-edge innovations and expanded our reach in the market.
To weave in the example company, Deliveroo serves as a shining example of capitalising on emerging trends. Recognising the increasing demand for food delivery, especially in urban areas, Deliveroo strategically partnered with popular restaurants and optimised their delivery logistics. By offering a user-friendly app and seamless ordering experience, they tapped into the market needs and experienced rapid growth. Building a strong brand presence through strategic marketing campaigns further propelled their success.
Disrupt Traditional Models and Innovate
Disrupting traditional models and fostering innovation is vital for us. To achieve growth, it’s important to encourage a culture of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, empowering employees to contribute their ideas and insights. Continuously evaluating your business model and processes to identify areas for improvement and optimisation is essential.
To drive this growth, it’s vital to embrace emerging technologies and trends that can disrupt your industry and deliver unique value to customers. Creating an environment that encourages experimentation and embraces calculated risks is crucial, as innovation often requires stepping outside of the comfort zone.
One company that has served as an excellent example of disrupting traditional models and embracing innovation is Revolut. By challenging conventional banking practices, Revolut has successfully attracted a large customer base seeking distinctive digital banking services. Their user-friendly mobile apps, instant money transfers, competitive exchange rates, and low fees for international transactions have been vital factors driving their growth.
Provide Comprehensive Resources and Innovative Features
At ROCK providing comprehensive resources and innovative features that distinguish our offerings from our competition has helped time and time again. To do this, a deep understanding of the needs and pain points of your target audience is essential. We have used this to improve the resolution of issues through things like self-service bots and to provide analytics on tap for businesses seeking information from their systems and their workforce.
In this regard, Zoopla’s growth strategy is a valuable example for thriving businesses. By offering advanced search functionality, detailed information, and unique tools for buyers and sellers, Zoopla effectively sets itself apart from competitors. Through strategic acquisitions, partnerships, and robust marketing efforts, Zoopla expands its user base and establishes itself as a leading player in the industry.
By providing comprehensive resources and innovative features, you can enhance customer satisfaction, attract new users, and fuel your growth trajectory. Investing in technology, forging strategic partnerships, and implementing effective marketing strategies will differentiate your business from the competition and position it for long-term success and expansion.
Build a Strong Community and Embrace Authenticity
Building a strong community and embracing authenticity are crucial factors in achieving exceptional business growth. Actively engaging with our target audience through social media platforms, forums, or community events is key. We have started to focus more on encouraging user-generated content and leveraging our growing community of users to amplify our brand’s reach and foster meaningful connections with our customers.
It is vital to develop a distinctive brand identity that aligns with our values and resonates with our customers. By collaborating with like-minded partners or organisations, we can create initiatives that benefit our community and establish a sense of shared purpose. Emphasising transparency and open communication builds trust and nurtures long-term relationships.
A great example that demonstrates the power of building a strong community and embracing authenticity is Gymshark, a leading fitness apparel company. Gymshark’s strategic use of social media and influencer marketing has cultivated a dedicated community and an authentic brand presence. Their commitment to providing high-quality, stylish, and performance-driven workout apparel that caters to their younger audience has strongly resonated.
By collaborating with fitness influencers and prioritising user-generated content, Gymshark has fostered a genuine sense of belonging among its customers. Their ability to quickly adapt to emerging fitness trends and customer preferences, coupled with strategic partnerships and global expansion, has played a vital role in their rapid growth.
To achieve extraordinary business growth, building a strong community and embracing authenticity is a powerful tool. Creating a loyal customer base that passionately advocates for your brand, can help to pave the way for remarkable success and establish yourself as an industry leader.
Build a company culture that can do anything
At ROCK our company culture has arguably been the most important factor for our success to date in achieving exponential growth. Building a strong and united team forms the foundation of sustained success. Based on what I’ve learned, a positive and inclusive work environment significantly boosts employee satisfaction, productivity, and ultimately propels business growth.
Creating a company culture that values open communication, collaboration, and continuous learning is paramount. Embracing the British tradition of teamwork, where diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected, fosters a sense of belonging and drives innovation within the organisation.
A company that exemplifies the power of positive company culture is Innocent Drinks. Starting as a small enterprise selling smoothies at a music festival, Innocent Drinks has grown into a hugely successful company known for its vibrant culture. They have instilled a sense of fun, creativity, and social responsibility into their workplace. By placing trust in their employees, providing opportunities for personal growth, and embracing a relaxed and transparent work atmosphere, Innocent Drinks has attracted top talent and established a strong brand presence across the UK.
Developing and maintaining a flourishing company culture is pivotal for extraordinary business growth. When our employees feel valued, motivated, and connected, they become enthusiastic brand advocates, attracting top talent and loyal customers. By embedding your values, celebrating achievements, and adapting to the evolving needs of our workforce, you can create a vibrant and supportive work environment that propels your company from a small entity to a prominent industry leader.
Just as a seed grows into a mighty oak tree with nourishment and care, your business flourishes when you cultivate a thriving company culture that promotes collaboration, innovation, and employee well-being.
The path to extreme business growth is often filled with challenges and uncertainties. It requires leaders to embrace change, learn from failures, and continuously innovate. Resilience is about bouncing back from setbacks and maintaining the determination to persevere.
Adaptability is the ability to embrace new ideas, technologies, and market trends, and to adjust strategies accordingly. Remaining resilient and adaptable has helped me to navigate through obstacles, seize opportunities, and ultimately achieve extraordinary growth.
Remember, growth is not always linear, and setbacks are inevitable. However, it is through resilience and adaptability that you can turn challenges into opportunities, and transform your business into thriving large companies. Stay focused, stay agile, and never lose sight of the vision that inspired your journey.
If you want to learn more or ask any questions, you can follow me on social media using the links below.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robdance_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobDance_
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robdance/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rob.dance
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@robdance_
ROCK: https://www.rock.co.uk/
