Learn how to capture operational knowledge and build scalable processes that reduce founder dependency. Practical systems thinking for SME leaders from inpurpose.

AI will not fix a broken business on its own, but for founder-led SMEs it can be a powerful lever once the basics of how the business runs are clear.

Your business does not have to run on you. It can run on systems that support both people and performance. Systems that create clarity instead of confusion.

It’s a big month for inpurpose. Next month, we celebrate our first year in business and we’ve just been named Professional Services Start-Up of the Year (Scotland) at the UK Start-Up Awards.

And now, we have more great news to share.

Learn how to write a strategy with our comprehensive guide on crafting an effective business strategy. Explore SWOT analysis, SMART goals, and more!

Teams don’t struggle because people don’t care; they struggle because the way we work together hasn’t been built with real people in mind. I’ve spent over two decades leading teams in business, the public sector, and politics, and believe me, I’ve made all the classic mistakes.

Universal design is about building in accessibility and clarity from the start. Instead of expecting people to ask for what they need, it creates an environment where those needs are already considered.

You can’t build a strong team without trust. But in small businesses, trust isn’t about away days or personality tests. It’s about how people show up every day, how decisions get made, and how the team works together under pressure.

When a team works well, it’s easy to think it’s just good chemistry or luck. But high performance isn’t something you stumble into. It’s something you design, build and protect — especially in small businesses where every person makes a difference.

Most founders want their teams to be more consistent. Better follow-through, clearer communication, fewer surprises.

The usual fix? A new tool, another meeting or an all-hands on expectations. But unless those changes become habits, nothing really shifts.

Accountability is one of those words that gets used a lot but rarely means the same thing to everyone.

In small teams, it’s often confused with pressure. Or performance reviews. Or just doing what you’re told. But real accountability isn’t about checking up. It’s about people taking responsibility and following through — without everything needing to run through the founder.

Many founders reach a point where they feel too central to the business. Work needs their input to move forward. Projects stall without them. They’re pulled into decisions and details that should sit elsewhere.

It’s easy to see this as a leadership issue. But in most small businesses, founder dependency is just as much a team issue as it is a personal one.

Team development often gets talked about in abstract terms — culture, engagement, morale. But in a growing small business, it needs to be more practical than that.

You don’t need a programme. You need your team to work well together, deliver consistently, and take ownership without constant input.

As your small business grows, the challenges shift. It's no longer just about delivery or sales. It's about how the team works together behind the scenes.

You’ve built a team because you needed the support. But now, you're spending too much time chasing, checking, or stepping in. Things are getting done, but not always in the way you want. Expectations are unclear. Accountability is patchy. And despite having capable people, progress still depends on you.