Scaling a business is exhilarating—but it’s also chaotic. What once felt clear and efficient starts to fragment. Teams grow faster than systems can support, and decision-making slows as complexity rises. The strategies that got you to this point begin to fail you. That’s the moment when the right consulting services can make the difference between accelerated growth and operational drag.
At Think Lateral, we specialize in helping high-growth companies move from complexity to clarity, using a strategic, systems-based approach to consulting that aligns leadership, operations, and culture.
Let’s explore what makes consulting work during a scaling phase—and why the right partner matters more than ever.
Scaling isn’t just doing more of what you were already doing. It’s a transformation:
Roles evolve or disappear
Decision-making decentralizes
Founders can no longer oversee everything
Processes start to strain or break
Culture begins to fragment
Growth creates pressure on every part of the business. What you need now is clarity, structure, and leadership at every level. That’s where strategic consulting becomes essential.
See how Think Lateral helps growth-stage companies align and scale
There’s no shortage of consultants offering advice—but few understand the nuance of scaling businesses.
At Think Lateral, we define “best” consulting for scaling companies as services that:
Bring systems-level thinking to growth challenges
Understand both strategy and execution
Adapt to your industry and leadership style
Build internal capabilities—not just external plans
We work with companies ready to evolve—not just in size, but in how they lead, operate, and create value.
We integrate leadership coaching, strategic planning, and operational systems into a single approach. Our core consulting pillars include:
Rebuild your executive structure for scale
Shift founders from operators to orchestrators
Train mid-level leaders to think strategically
Redesign your team structure as headcount grows
Clarify decision rights and reporting lines
Create clear paths for communication and accountability
Implement scalable systems (OKRs, scorecards, reviews)
Establish quarterly operating rhythms
Reduce friction and misalignment across teams
Define and reinforce cultural behaviors as you scale
Prevent culture dilution with intentional values and rituals
Build team resilience through clarity and purpose
Explore how we integrate strategy and culture in our consulting work
Many scaling companies stall for one reason: they outgrow their own operating model.
Common issues include:
Founder bottlenecks in decision-making
Team confusion around priorities
Cross-department misalignment
Cultural drift and employee disengagement
Slowed product development or customer responsiveness
The result? A company that’s busy but not effective. Consulting can help you recalibrate—fast.
Meet the team that helps founders and executives lead at scale
We recently worked with a marketing technology company that scaled from 35 to 150 employees in under two years. Their challenges:
No unified goal-setting process
Over-reliance on the founder for approvals
Growing discontent among department heads
We implemented:
A quarterly strategy execution framework
Clear team ownership structures
A leadership coaching series for department leads
Within six months:
Founder regained 40% of their time
Interdepartmental conflicts dropped significantly
Quarterly objectives reached 90% completion across teams
Scaling was no longer overwhelming—it became strategic.
Scaling doesn’t require one-size-fits-all answers. It requires custom strategies rooted in how your business operates and where it’s headed.
We bring:
Cross-industry insight grounded in systems thinking
Experience in startups, enterprise transitions, and founder exits
Tools that scale with your business—not weigh it down
Coaching and facilitation that creates clarity—not dependency
Learn more about our approach to scaling with intention
✅ Aligned executive team with clear swim lanes
✅ Execution systems that scale with headcount
✅ Confident leaders empowered to act independently
✅ Streamlined operations without the drama
✅ A thriving culture that drives performance—not burnout
This is what the best consulting services for scaling companies should deliver: results, not just recommendations.
Hear from our clients and media highlights
Whether you’re:
Preparing for funding or a major hire
Doubling your team
Expanding into new markets
Feeling operational strain as you grow
Think Lateral is your partner in building clarity, capability, and momentum.
👉 Let’s talk about what scaling looks like for your business
For more insight on high-growth leadership, explore the Think Lateral Blog.
JD, MBA, CAE
Jon Bassford, JD, MBA, CAE, is an expert in curiosity-driven leadership. Not your typical operations professional, Jon has applied his curiosity to launch, manage, and improve operations for organizations ranging from venture-backed startups to global nonprofits with far-reaching impact.
Schedule a consultation with us today and discover how tailored strategies and expert guidance can unlock your business’s full potential.
Our approach combines data-driven diagnostics, tailored solutions, and leadership development. Led by Jon Bassford, we focus on empowering businesses to scale efficiently while fostering operational clarity and innovation.
Operational audits identify inefficiencies, streamline processes, and provide actionable insights. They serve as a foundation for sustainable growth by optimizing your operations and aligning them with your goals.
The Growth Navigation System is a comprehensive diagnostic tool that evaluates Operational Excellence and Transformation Readiness, helping businesses prioritize key areas for improvement and growth.
Executive coaching enhances leadership capabilities and ensures that leaders can effectively implement strategies uncovered during audits and diagnostics. It bridges the gap between operational insights and actionable leadership.
Take the first step toward transforming your business. Connect with us today to unlock operational clarity and drive sustainable growth.
At the heart of our work lies a passion for empowering businesses to scale efficiently and thrive in today’s competitive landscape.