Five strategies for rapid firm growth and how to implement them

Analysis of 45 rapidly growing, profitable firms reveals five strategies: (1) product proliferation, (2) mass market development, (3) increasing value to select customers, (4) distribution innovation, and (5) acquisition and consolidation. These five strategies are not restricted to high-growth industries and arise when firms exploit market disequilibrium to the their advantage. The profitable growth strategies are based on multiple, reinforcing sources of scale, scope, and time-based advantages. The study details the steps needed to implement each growth strategy and potential pitfalls to avoid. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.