In the last two decades, the business community has seen a phenomenal increase in the number of billion dollar startups. Over 2,800 companies worldwide have reached a valuation of $1 billion or more, and the pace is getting faster.

with hundreds of young unicorns Coming together, it's clear that something is brewing in the startup world. As the CEO of Flowwow, I know how important it is to scale quickly and efficiently. But what does it take to grow without sacrificing quality? Operational scalability is the answer.

Operational scalability is particularly useful for businesses with standardized processes and high transaction volumes, such as fast food chains, car rental companies and online marketplaces. Drawing on my years of experience in the gift market, here are six key actions to consider when expanding your business.

1. Promote transparency

Organizations with a high degree of tRANSPARENCY report profit margins that are 21% higher than average. By sharing information openly and honestly, you can foster trust, increase employee engagement, and motivate your team to make decisions independently.

Consider the case of Asana. they prioritize transparency publishing detailed notes about what was discussed in their board meetings and top management hurdles. Such openness empowers employees to align their work with the company's goals and engage their talents to achieve better results and feel satisfied.

Related: 9 Strategies to Scale Your Business in Uncertain Times

2. Automate routine tasks

To scale efficiently, it is essential to automate repetitive tasks. from reducing manual laboryou can free your team to focus on strategic tasks, increasing productivity and allowing for efficient scaling.

At Flowwow, we've seen the benefits of automation firsthand when we developed our custom CRM for our specific needs. This enabled us to automate order taking, create flexible support templates and even introduce an AI-powered onboarding bot. So we scaled steadily while maintaining high quality customer service and keeping our team happy with the workflow.

3. Invest in people

Your team is your greatest asset. A thriving work environment is essential to attracting and retaining top talent. By fostering a culture of growth and empowerment, you are investing in challenge seekers, boosting morale and fostering innovations.

Consider Microsoft, where CEO Satya Nadella has championed a 'growth mindset' culture, prioritizing continuous learning and development. They now invest in comprehensive training programs and flexible work arrangements and focus on the mental well-being of employees.

Related: 7 Ways to Scale Your Small Business and Achieve Long-Term Growth

4. Balance data with intuition

While data is key, it's just as important to trust your gut. I remember discussing launching the client application with almost no solid data behind the idea; it was just our intuition. And it worked: today, the app calculates most of our orders.

Think Tesla. Elon Musk's decision to pioneer electric vehicles and autonomous driving was as much a leap of faith as a calculated move. By trusting his intuition about the future of transportation, he has positioned Tesla as a global leader in sustainable technology.

5. Building strong technological infrastructure

A strong technical foundation is essential when expanding your business, especially during peak periods. Investing in reliable systems and preparing for peak demand can ensure smooth operation and avoid costly downtime. Starbucks proves, in its case, the importance of innovations while scaling. In the last quarter, 35% of the company's revenue came from online orders. And what do we have? The coffee giant has faced off CHALLENGE in managing the surge in mobile orders, leading to long waits and customer dissatisfaction. To address this, Starbucks must prioritize technology solutions to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

Related: 7 Crucial Ways to Scale Your Startup or Business

6. Scale wisely

A common misconception is that scaling a business simply means increasing sales or expanding into new markets. While growth is certainly a goal for many businesses, true scaling is about preparing your organization to handle that growth sustainably. Rapid and uncontrolled expansion can often lead to unforeseen challenges, such as staff shortages, system failures, and financial instability.

I think we all remember the rapid scaling of WeWork. The co-working giant's aggressive expansion strategy, characterized by the opening of many locations with long-term leases, ultimately proved unsustainable. When faced with the lack of a well-developed, trusted customer base, many of these locations had to close. Scaling should be a strategic process that focuses on building a resilient business and not just expanding reach.

As the startup landscape continues to evolve, the ability to scale efficiently will be a key differentiator. By focusing on building a strong foundation, investing in your team, and leveraging technology, you can navigate the challenges of scaling and emerge as a market leader.