Planning : The crucial tool in a SME Business - from Scratch to Public Listing

A few years ago, I met an SME promoter who had built his business from almost nothing. His journey is a perfect example of why planning is the most powerful tool in business.

The Beginning — A Modest Start

He began with a rented facility, a handful of employees, and limited resources. Banks were hesitant, customers were cautious, and competition was fierce.

But he had one advantage — clarity of vision. He knew his target industry, his strengths, and where he wanted to take the company. Even in those early days, he created a simple business plan: focus on niche customers, maintain quality at all costs, and manage cash flows tightly.

That plan became his guiding light.

The Action — From Paper to Practice

Soon, orders started to flow in. The promoter didn’t rush blindly. Every expansion — a new machine, a new hire, a new customer segment — was carefully mapped against the plan.

We worked together to establish systems:

• Converting strategy into day-to-day execution.

• Setting up a basic MIS for tracking numbers.

• Negotiating structured facilities with banks.

This was the Act phase — the moment where vision started becoming reality.

The Monitoring — Building Discipline

As the business grew, challenges multiplied: delayed receivables, price wars, regulatory changes.

Here’s where his discipline stood out. Instead of reacting emotionally, he relied on monitoring mechanisms we had put in place:

• Monthly financial dashboards.

• Project-wise profitability analysis.

• Regular boardroom reviews.

Because he monitored honestly, he could adjust quickly. Problems never grew into crises.

The Growth — Scaling with Systems

Over the years, the business transformed from a small unit into a professionally managed company. Exports opened new markets. Revenues scaled consistently.

But growth wasn’t just about sales. It was about structure:

• Strengthening compliance and governance.

• Hiring professionals beyond family members.

• Implementing ERP and process automation.

By this stage, the company wasn’t just growing — it was maturing.

The Leap — Preparing for Public Listing

Eventually, the promoter asked the big question: “Are we ready to go public?”

Because of years of structured planning, the answer was yes. The company had:

• Transparent financial reporting.

• Strong debt-equity discipline.

• A compelling growth story backed by data.

When the SME went for its IPO, it wasn’t just a fundraising event. It was the result of years of planning, acting, monitoring, and growing. The listing validated not just the business model, but the promoter’s vision and discipline.

The Lesson for SMEs

This is not the story of one company — it is the story of many ambitious SMEs who are regularly following advices of CFO Bhaiji. 

Those who plan, act with discipline, monitor with honesty, and grow with purpose eventually reach the stage where public listing becomes a natural next step.

👉 Planning doesn’t guarantee success. But without planning, success is nearly impossible.

💡 From scratch to public listing — the secret is not luck, it is planning.