The questions business owners at this stage most want answered
These are the questions we hear most from MDs and founders at this point in their business journey. They are not abstract — they are commercial problems with measurable costs and practical solutions.
The performance priorities at this stage
The Business Performance Review identifies which of these applies to your specific situation. Every recommendation comes with a commercial rationale. Nothing is introduced without one.
Leadership and manager development
At this stage, the biggest leverage point is usually manager quality. The difference between a high-performing and an underperforming manager is often the difference between retaining and losing the people they manage. Structured development at this stage pays back in retention.
Benefits restructure
Benefits that made sense at 15 people often don't serve a 60-person business. A structured review identifies what employees actually value, where spend is being wasted, and what changes would strengthen the employer proposition without necessarily increasing cost.
Financial wellbeing at scale
Financial anxiety in the workforce at this stage shows up as absence, presenteeism and turnover. A structured programme — workshops, one-to-one guidance, pension engagement — addresses the root cause rather than the symptom.
ROEI measurement
At this size, the commercial case for people investment can be built with real numbers. Turnover cost, absence rate, productivity loss and benefits utilisation are all measurable. The ROEI framework turns people investment into a documented commercial argument.
What this typically looks like
A technology services business, 58 people, growing at 20% per year. Four managers promoted from individual contributor roles, two of whom are struggling. Staff turnover is 18%, costing an estimated £280,000 per year in replacement and onboarding. Benefits have not been reviewed since year two. Three good people left last quarter citing 'culture' and 'lack of development' in exit interviews. The Business Performance Review identified manager development and benefits restructure as the highest-impact priorities. Year one: manager training programme delivered, pension charges reduced by £31,000, turnover dropped from 18% to 13% by month nine.
Shareholder protection, profit extraction and family financial planning
As the business grows and becomes more valuable, the personal financial stakes increase. Shareholder protection ensures that if a co-founder or key shareholder dies or becomes critically ill, the business can continue without forced change of ownership. Extracting profits efficiently — balancing dividends, pension contributions and salary — becomes more important as the numbers grow. And as the business takes more of your time and income, ensuring your family's financial position is protected alongside the business becomes increasingly pressing.
- Shareholder protection — formal agreement and insurance so the business can continue
- Profit extraction — the right balance of salary, dividends and pension as turnover grows
- Family income protection — what your family would face if you were unable to work
- Business Property Relief — understanding the IHT position as business value grows
Two businesses. One conversation.
The business and the owner are financially inseparable. Decisions made in one have consequences in the other. Aetas Wealth works alongside Aetas Performance to ensure both sides of the picture are managed together — the same team, the same relationship, the full picture.
What a Business Performance Review looks like at this stage
The same four-stage process applies regardless of where you are in your business journey. The difference is in what we find and what we recommend.
Initial conversation
A 30-minute no-cost conversation with Matthew Steiner to understand your business and what has prompted you to look at this.
Discovery
A deeper 45-minute conversation identifying the performance gaps and what they are likely costing the business in commercial terms.
Options
We review options together, built around your specific situation, size and constraints. Nothing is introduced without a commercial rationale.
Proposal
A written proposal with fees alongside savings identified. The first point at which any commitment is invited.
Book a Business Performance Review
A no-cost conversation with Matthew Steiner to identify where the greatest performance opportunity sits in your business at this stage — and what addressing it is likely worth.
Book a Performance ReviewNo cost · No obligation · No commitment until proposal stage