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Trailblazers
What you can learn from the UK's high-growth businesses
What the Trailblazers do differently
Our latest round of research shows what puts the UK’s fastest-growing businesses in the lead. Over 1,000 businesses took part in our survey, and we found the difference in mindset was one of the factors that divided higher-growth and lower-growth businesses.
February 2020 findings
This third edition of our Trailblazers research once again shines a light on the characteristics that set high-growth businesses apart and further explores one of the key challenges facing UK businesses today: managing through uncertainty.
Uncertainty breeds opportunity
Where others might see volatility and uncertainty as a hindrance, Trailblazers see opportunities.
Two-thirds of the high-growth companies we spoke to are confident they’ll emerge from the current period of uncertainty that’s been affecting business confidence in even better shape than before.
Download the February 2020 report for all the insights.
Download report
What it means to be a Trailblazer
Ready for growth
By focusing on their goals and moving their business forward, Trailblazers make their own luck and ensure they’re not blown off course by any short-term uncertainties.
This self-belief and confidence allows them to seize initiatives while also concentrating on their long-term strategic visions.
The Trailblazers research reveals that 74% of high-growth companies already trade internationally or plan to do so in the coming 12 months,...
84%
84% of Trailblazers are confident of growth over the next 12 months, compared to 38% of all businesses surveyed.
47%
47% of high-growth companies believe the key to their future success will depend on implementing the correct growth strategy. Only 38% of lower-growth businesses agree.
Fit for business
Trailblazing businesses are professionally led and efficiently managed, with a clear and articulated vision for success. They also often have a more entrepreneurial style of thinking and are open to taking calculated risks to grow their business.
High-growth companies understand the power of strong leadership. They are led by management teams which have a clear vision for success and a...
79%
79% of Trailblazers rate their ability to formulate a strategic vision as good or very good, against 61% of lower-growth businesses.
74%
74% of Trailblazers rate their performance as good or very good in terms of their willingness to take risks, compared to 49% of lower-growth companies.
Investing for tomorrow
Part of the vision for Trailblazers is making sure they’ve invested in their business’ future.
Ensuring their people, systems and technology are ready for the coming challenges allows them to look at future plans, knowing the foundations of their business are solid.
64%
64% of high-growth businesses have increased their R&D investment over the last 3 years, nearly double the 33% invested by lower-growth businesses.
60%
60% of Trailblazers plan to increase their spending on staff training and development in the next 3 years, while only 31% of lower-growth companies are doing the same.
Exploring new ventures
Embracing opportunities, both in the UK and internationally, helps Trailblazers fuel their growth.
They know that by being ambitious and working in partnership with suppliers, customers and business rivals, opens up more doors.
Some 56% of the Trailblazers expect their sales to grow by at least 20% over the next 12 months (a further 23% predict growth of 10...
70%
70% of Trailblazers have formed some kind of alliance with other businesses in the last 3 years, compared to 52% of lower-growth companies.
69%
69% of high-growth companies intent to collaborate like this in the future, while only 46% of lower-growth businesses say the same.