The growth phase occurs after a startup’s launch and can pose significant challenges for founders. The process of scaling presents challenges that can truly test the limits of founders in every area of the business. In this episode, host John Rebecchi (M.B.A. ’83), Ph.D., welcomes Garrett Delph, Founder and CEO of Clarity Ops. At Clarity Ops, Garrett and his team specialize in helping companies scale successfully by establishing strong operational foundations and implementing efficient management practices.

Before founding Clarity Ops, Delph established several businesses, during which he began to recognize patterns, and solutions for scaling. “As I built along the way, I had a pretty big epiphany. I didn’t know what I was doing. I just knew that I want to run a business.” Ultimately, this realization helped him recognize the frequent challenges and opportunities related to scaling. This insight led him to share his innovative framework, centered on three key areas including people, process, and performance. Delph, believes that by developing a reliable operating model around these pillars can lead to long-term solutions for business challenges. By applying this framework, Delph suggests that businesses could significantly increase their chances of achieving 10x growth and successful scaling. This journey also inspired him to create Process MAPS™, a system born from the idea of guiding businesses from point A to point B. For Clarity Ops, MAPS™ stands for "Maintaining Alliance with Priorities and Strategy," which combines structured frameworks and systems to help organizations reach their goals.

When it comes to scaling a business, the first insight Delph shares is that every entrepreneur should recognize the impact of leadership decisions. He stresses that if you are looking to scale, each decision made as a founder or CEO has a direct impact on the team you build. He further explained that scaling inherently involves growth, and with growth comes the responsibility of leading a team that aligns with your vision.

The second insight he shares is the importance of operational clarity. “To the degree that you get those decisions right about how you’re going to operate will be the degree to which you will affect the lives of these people, and you will affect the performance they bring to your business for the output that you want” Delph explains. A clear structure allows the team to perform better and achieve goals more efficiently and effectively. 

Lastly, Delph advises for entrepreneurs to find a balance between flexibility and consistency. While agility is crucial in a fast-paced business environment, maintaining foundational standards is equally significant.

Listen to the full episode: Podbean, Apple Podcast, YouTube Podcast, Spotify.

By Patthara Chandaragga