These are the components to the model, and they represent all that it takes to scale a firm in a sustainable way.

Of course, there are many things a firm leader must attend to, but we have found (through testing the model in consulting sessions, courses, and conferences) that focusing on these 10 components—and the teaching that is embodied within each component—allows firm owners comprehensive coverage across building and growing their firm.

We consider these 10 components foundational.

There are many things that demand our attention as entrepreneurs, but when you have a key set of foundational components to focus on, you will be a firm with more intention and success.

3. Order

You might have noticed that these white components are numbered in order. This is intentional—the order at which a services-based firm builds and grows can mean either great success or calamity.

Chaos is often the result for many firm owners as they grow larger. Things get out of hand, people stop following processes, leaders begin to lose track of what their team is doing, and the firm’s culture can suffer.

These signs are usually due to trying to build a firm backwards, or out of order, from the way a services firm is meant to be scaled. You’ll note from the model that the boxes are not only in order, but they also aid in seeking balance as the ordered building moves back and forth from the Market to the Service side.

The importance of relationships during growth

It’s important to note that this model is for service-based organizations. These are organizations we call ‘Human Organizations’ as they are founded on relationships with vendors, teams, clients, and leadership teams.

This means that any scaling or prototype modeling of the organization is being done within the realm of human relationships. Firm leadership is the key to scaling human organizations in sustainable ways, since leaders lead people.

Are you seeking growth?

If you are experiencing chaos in your growth, or perhaps you don’t know the next steps for your firm, or if you are at a growth ceiling you can’t identify, or you are just ready to grow as a leader, then the Prototype Components Model for Growth will provide you with the roadmap to build a firm that will outlast you and allow you to work with team and clients that you love.