The cultivation of “fast business” has settled in mentalities and business management. This frantic quest for quick results and instant yields has become the new paradigm of many start-ups and businesses. However, in this performance race, is the long-term question in danger? How do some companies manage to navigate between the need to grow quickly and that of building a lasting strategy to guarantee their long-term survival?
The culture of “fast business”: an essential reality
The concept is intrinsically linked to the acceleration of decision -making processes and the desire to quickly capture market share. The digital age has reduced production, sales and communication cycles. This phenomenon has increased with the explosion of fundraising and the advent of unicorns (start-ups valued at more than a billion dollars) which have dominated the entrepreneurial landscape in recent decades.
Investors, in particular in the technological sectors, are looking for rapid investment feedback, thus encouraging managers to favor dazzling growth strategies. However, this speed imperative can contradict more sustainable practices and a reflection on the sustainability of the company. Faced with this, some companies, especially among French start-ups, manage to reconcile these two challenges: rapid performance and long-term vision.
The search for balance: testimonies and strategies of the leaders
1/ The example of Blablacar: a controlled growth strategy
Blablacar, the famous carpooling platform, has understood the importance of reconciling rapid growth and long -term solidity. According to Frédéric Mazzella, the co -founder and CEO, the key to success lies in rapid, but well thought out growth. “We have always sought to grow quickly while preserving the sustainability of our economic model. We have been cautious in our geographic expansion, we have avoided multiplying the markets too quickly, ”he says.
Blablacar was distinguished by a strategy aimed at building a solid user base while continuously optimizing its operations. The company raised tens of millions of euros during its first rounds of the table, but knew how to sacrifice its profitability in the short term. By diversifying its services and changing its model, the platform has been able to maintain itself in time.
The balance between rapid growth and longevity lies, according to Mazzella, in the ability to invest in loyalty and quality of service, beyond the simple acquisition of new users. For Blablacar, progressive internationalization and the search for a healthy economic model guarantee long -term solidity while retaining growth dynamics.
2/ Doctolib: Fast growth and long -term social mission
Doctolib, the leader in online medical appointments in France, also embodies this model of reconciliation between immediate performance and sustainable objectives. Stanislas Niox-Château, co-founder and CEO, is clearly positioned in favor of an approach focused on long-term impact. “Our mission is to transform the health system, not just to grow at all costs. This implies not to give in to the temptation to focus only on the speed of the extension, ”he explains.
The company has been able to diversify to offer a wide range of digital services for health professionals while remaining focused on its fundamental values. Doctolib has experienced rapid growth, largely thanks to investment in innovation and a strategic partnership policy. But, Niox-Château stresses that this development has not been disconnected from a long-term vision, in particular in the search for the balance between user satisfaction and the improvement of the health system as a whole.
3/ Back Market: Sustainable growth in the circular economy
The French start-up Back Market, specializing in the sale of reconditioned electronic products, has taken advantage of the dynamic “fast business” while placing sustainability at the heart of its strategy. The co -founder, Thibaud Hug de Larauze, insists on the importance of the ecological mission of the company: “We are not only a rapid growth company, we are also a company engaged in the energy transition. »»
Back Market has experienced rapid expansion in France and internationally, but this dynamic is associated with a deeper vision which consists in improving the way in which electronic products are used and recycled. In 2023, the start-up raised 250 million euros to support its international expansion while highlighting circular economy values and reduction of electronic waste. This model combines both the quest for a fast market and the sustainability by responsible practices.
The keys to successful management
The examples of Blablacar, Doctolib and Back Market show that rapid growth can be reconciled with a long -term vision, provided that we respect several principles:
- Prioritization of innovation and quality : Growing quickly should not be done at the expense of the value added of the company. Innovation is the engine of this growth, but it must also be aligned with the real market needs and users.
- Agility in strategic decisions : The speed of decision and flexibility in the adaptation of the economic model are key elements. This allows the company to adjust in the face of market developments without sacrificing its long -term values.
- A clear long -term vision : Even in an environment that favors immediate results, it is essential to have a precise roadmap for the years to come. Managers must ensure that today’s decisions do not compromise the future of the company.
- Societal and environmental commitment : Today, companies that succeed in both growing quickly and lasting are often those that take into account social or environmental issues. Commitment to societal causes can also offer a long -term competitive advantage.
The impact of the “fast business” on employees and the organization
The culture of “fast business” also has a significant impact on employees. In order for rapid growth to be viable, it is essential to maintain a motivated and well structured team. However, the pressure related to the search for immediate performance can cause significant stress and a high rotation of staff in certain companies. The challenge for leaders therefore consists in maintaining a strong corporate culture, which promotes both performance, but also the well-being of employees.
Thus, the balance between the speed of execution and the sustainability of the company also involves adapted human management, where the values of commitment and respect for employees are highlighted.
