By , Entrepreneur Staff
Published May 03, 2016
Through surveys and available data, we've examined hundreds of small businesses and come away with six archetypal sets of practices and characteristics that we believe are representative of most growth companies operating today.
The qualifications were simple: Companies had to be domestically owned, privately held, for-profit and have shown net capacity growth over at least two years, with an employee size in 2015 of 10 to 1,000.
Below, we examine the traits of Forward Thinkers, one of the six archetypes of the Entrepreneur360™ Performance Index. To see the other five archetypes, click here.
Forward Thinkers surge ahead in growth and profits by being aggressive in adopting new technologies and processes, setting high targets and expanding proactively. While that high growth rate isn’t easily financed without outside funding, the Forward Thinkers seem to have little problem finding investors -- which may explain why they have unusually influential boards of directors.
It’s no surprise that technological and process innovation can rocket a company to success, particularly in mature industries that may have become sleepy. But fast, innovation-fueled growth also calls for extra attention on company components that may become stressed by the pace of change. What’s more, managers at cutting-edge firms need to be prepared to deal with what may be conflicting direction from outside investors and other stakeholders.
.ttl360 {width: 150px; display: inline-block;}.img360 {float: left; margin: 6px 24px 6px 0;}.card360 { display: block; overflow: hidden; padding: 12px; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 24px; -webkit-box-shadow: 0px 1px 5px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); -moz-box-shadow: 0px 1px 5px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); box-shadow: 0px 1px 5px 0px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);}.card360 h3 { margin-top: 0;}
Founded: 2012
Business Type: Financial services
Website: https://www.avant.com
Founded: 1991
Business Type: Healthcare
Website: http://baird-group.com
Founded: 2011
Business Type: Beverage
Website: http://bloomerysweetshine.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Analytics
Website: https://bottlenose.com
Founded: 2006
Business Type: IT hardware/Software developer
Website: http://www.camgian.com
Founded: 2009
Business Type: Healthcare
Website: http://communicatehealth.com
Founded: 2002
Business Type: IT products
Website: http://www.dimagi.com
Founded: 2000
Business Type: Healthcare
Website: http://docutap.com
Founded: 2012
Business Type: Communication
Website: http://getvoip.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Retailer
Website: http://www.gsmnation.com
Founded: 1974
Business Type: Architectural/Engineering
Website: http://www.herschmanarchitects.com
Founded: 2003
Business Type: SaaS technology
Website: www.icucsolutions.com
Founded: 2004
Business Type: Software
Website: https://www.jackrabbittech.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Reseller
Website: http://www.lcdcycle.com
Founded: 2011
Business Type: Infographics
Website: http://lemonly.com
Founded: 2007
Business Type: Staffing
Website: https://localeyesite.com
Founded: 2011
Business Type: Resource management
Website: http://merithall.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Manufacturing
Website: http://www.mn8foxfire.com
Founded: 2011
Business Type: Engineering
Website: http://mobius-llc.com
Founded: 2006
Business Type: Staffing
Website: http://param-solutions.com
Founded: 2009
Business Type: Manufacturing
Website: https://www.pedegoelectricbikes.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Manufacturing
Website: http://www.iwantproof.com
Founded: 2009
Business Type: Food
Website: http://raizana.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Food
Website: http://www.seasnax.com
Founded: 1986
Business Type: Rentals
Website: http://www.signatureparty.com
Founded: 2010
Business Type: Manufacturing
Website: https://www.soapboxsoaps.com
Founded: 2012
Business Type: Incubator/Co-working space
Website: http://www.stamfordicenter.com
Founded: 2009
Business Type: HR software/Analytics
Website: https://synd.io
Founded: 2005
Business Type: Healthcare
Website: http://www.thesalusgroup.com
Founded: 2008
Business Type: IT products
Website: http://www.thundercattech.com
Founded: 2011
Business Type: Branding
Website: http://www.trepoint.com
Read more about each archetype:
For Entrepreneur360 'Data Champions,' Success is Steady, Plotted and Planned
What Entrepreneur360 'Controllers' Know: Watch Markets and Keep the Customer Happy
The Success Secrets That Helped the 'Best Practicers' Land on the Entrepreneur360
Growing Against the Grain: Meet the Entrepreneur360 'Contrarians'
Confident and Sales-Focused: A Look at the Entrepreneur360 'Classics'
https://www.foxnews.com/us/how-staying-in-front-of-the-pack-helped-the-forward-thinkers-nab-a-spot-on-entrepreneur360