Do you have a specific methodology that you already use or want to start using? Or, maybe you have read the books and taken the classes on multiple methodologies and a combination approach works best for your business. Or, is your approach general good business habits that you’ve learned along the way that don’t necessarily fall into a specific methodology?
Align can be used to implement multiple different methodologies or just general business best practices that do not follow a specific approach.
What is a Business Methodology?
A business methodology is a structured approach to running and growing your company. It provides proven strategies and clear steps. Think of it as a roadmap to achieve consistent results and actively guide a business toward scalable success.
Do you need one?
While not every company needs a business methodology, nearly every successful company benefits from one. Methodologies provide focus, align teams, and streamline decision-making, which helps businesses scale more predictably. For companies aiming for consistent growth and efficiency, a methodology can make the difference between managing chaos and achieving controlled, strategic progress.
Methodology Comparrison
The Scaling Up methodology helps companies grow efficiently by focusing on four key areas: People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash. It provides practical tools to align teams, set clear goals, and streamline processes. Leaders gain a structured approach to reduce complexity and drive sustainable growth.
- Focus: Comprehensive growth framework for mid-sized companies emphasizing People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash.
- Key Tools: One-Page Strategic Plan, Rockefeller Habits Checklist, and Cash Conversion Cycle.
- Approach: Prioritizes scalable, practical tools for alignment and efficiency, suitable for fast-growing businesses aiming for sustainable scaling.
- Thought Leaders: Verne Harnish with his book Scaling Up
Who is the best fit?
Scaling Up is designed for mid-sized businesses aiming to grow effectively across departments. With structured tools like the Rockefeller Habits Checklist and One-Page Strategic Plan, Scaling Up provides the framework needed for coordinated growth.
- Best for: Growing, mid-sized companies with multiple leadership layers needing a structured growth plan.
- Strengths: Ideal for complex, multi-team coordination and sustained growth.
- Considerations: Can feel overwhelming for smaller teams and may require significant training to get full buy-in across the organization.
Fit Score:
- Growth Orientation: High
- Scalability: High
- Ease of Implementation: Medium
- Agility: Low
Onboarding FAQs
How do I get the most out of the Activation Call?+
Every new customer gets an activation call to get started on the right foot!
Answer these questions prior to your meeting:
- Why have I decided to roll out this software? What is my motivation?
- Why should my team care about this rollout and change in our business?
- How much time, energy and effort am I willing to put in? Will that work get me to a successful outcome?
Is there any learning preparation I can do?+
We advise that you use the time in your Activation call to get the most from your Advisor instead of software training. Here a few things you can do prior to your activation:
- Download the Mobile App
- Sign up for Basics 101
- Add your picture and fill in your profile information!
Who should be involved in the activation/onboarding process?+
At a minimum, we recommend including the Decision Maker and your Align Champion.
What is the typical agenda for the Activation call?+
- Onboarding & Expectations + confirm account details (2-5 min)
- What does success look like for your company? At the end of this month, quarter, year where do you want to be? (10-15 min)
- What challenges do you foresee? Are there any detractors on your management team? How do we win them over? (5-15 min)
- Next steps – what is your path to success in the next few weeks and where are your resources to get them done? (5 min)
- Q & A (5 min)
- Schedule the execution call!
Why do I need an Align Champion?+
Our Align Champion is someone who understands and believes in “why” the software is important to your company’s success. This person will rally others around the benefits of the software, explain the expected results, and handle objections that come up. The Champion will hold the team accountable to using the software as the organization has deemed appropriate and has the organizational power to enact change.
Who is the right person?
Every company has a different structure and it’s important to find the RIGHT person to fit this role. You can always have multiple people in this role! Some companies find their CEO or someone from the C-Suite is the best person to lead the change needed in the organization. We also see companies use this role as a way of giving an up-and-coming leader visibility.
Who is the wrong person?
This is not a typical IT heavy technology implementation, the software is a fairly light lift. The admin work should be spread out to each individual rather than one person handling the data entry.
The challenging part of the roll out is enacting the change and getting organizational buy-in.
We do not recommend the champion being an executive assistant or an IT employee.
I’ve determined the right person, what do I do now?
In the software, there is an identifying role for your Align Champion. To set this role, ask the person to navigate to their profile by clicking on their initials in the upper right corner, then go to settings and scroll down to the role. This will help everyone else in the organization know who they should go to first.
Introduce your Align Champion to your Customer Success Advisor! The Align Champion should be the main contact for scheduling trainings and raising a flag when something isn’t going quite right.