Allocating resources to develop your Company Operating System is a challenge.
Spend too much, and you waste time and money. Spend too little, and organizational issues pile up. The key is finding the zone of sustained growth. The larger your company gets, the more critical your Company OS becomes.
Overenthusiastic development. A perfect company where everything works flawlessly sounds great. In practice, it's impossible. Even trying leads to wasted time, excessive costs, and rigid structures that slow you down.
Neglected development. The other extreme. You know you should work on it but don't. Or you try but don't know how. Or you don't even see the need. Growth can blind you. Speed becomes the priority, systems are left behind. When problems arise, survival takes over and growth stalls.
Pain-driven development. The most common approach. Company OS is built only when problems demand it. Time and money are invested just enough to fix immediate pain points. It keeps things running, but only for a while. Sometimes it's the most practical option. And it's better than neglect.
Systematic development. The ideal approach. Company OS is seen as a growth enabler, not an afterthought. The right amount of time and money is allocated. Dedicated professionals, internal or external, ensure it gets done. Since Company OS is the ultimate important-but-not-urgent task, it won't happen unless someone owns it.
The zone of sustained growth is the goal. Sometimes pain-driven is the best short-term move. What matters is avoiding the extremes.
At a certain point, your company will need a solid Company OS. Right now it may feel agile and flexible. But without the right systems in place, you'll eventually hit a point of no return.
Be prepared.