Growth strategies that win: an inside look at the 50 Degrees Growth Accelerator with our in-house Growth Coach, Lorenza Secretan
Growth is at the top of every board agenda. Whether you’re a public-sector provider, a global corporate, or a fast-scaling SME, the need to win more work, expand into new markets, and retain valued clients has never been greater.
But ambition alone won’t deliver. Time and again, we see organisations with excellent services or products fall short — not because of what they do, but because of how they go to market, compete, and deliver growth.
Common Growth Challenges We See
Across sectors and industries, the same patterns repeat:
- Reactive pipelines – Opportunities are identified too late, leaving little time to influence buyers or shape specifications.
- Uncertain market entry – Expansion into new geographies or sectors is attempted without the right intelligence, local partnerships, or risk frameworks.
- Misaligned teams – Sales, operations, and finance are not fully connected, resulting in missed chances and inconsistent execution.
- Stalled win rates – Strong offers don’t convert because bids lack clarity, storytelling, or a compelling social value narrative.
- Retention risks – Contracts that should be secure are lost to competitors because re-bid strategies are left too late or client engagement is too shallow.
- Underpowered commercial models – Pricing is either too aggressive (eroding margins) or too cautious (losing competitiveness).
- Capability gaps – Organisations underestimate the importance of systems, tools, and behaviours in sustaining growth momentum.
These issues don’t mean organisations lack ambition — they highlight the gap between ambition and capability.
Bridging the Gap: The 50 Degrees Growth Accelerator
The 50 Degrees Growth Accelerator was built to help organisations bridge that gap.
It’s a consultant-led diagnostic, designed to give leadership teams a clear, evidence-based view of their organisation’s readiness to grow. In a structured session, we benchmark your maturity across eight critical pillars of growth:
- Sales & Growth Strategy Development
- Market Entry Support
- Social Value Strategy
- Bids & Tenders Scanning
- Pre-Bid Capture & Work Winning
- Bid Support & Bid Management
- Commercial & Financial Excellence
- Contract Retention Strategies
Each area is scored Red, Amber, or Green, benchmarked against “what good looks like.” The result: a tailored report with practical recommendations that highlights where you are strong, where you can make quick wins, and where longer-term investment will pay off.
Why I Lead the Growth Accelerator
I lead the Growth Accelerator at 50 Degrees, bringing over 25 years of senior business development leadership to the role. My career has taken me through global systems integrators, where I managed international sales and bid teams, built 100-strong BD communities, introduced company-wide sales performance reporting, and established dedicated bidding functions that secured major government and corporate contracts.
Alongside this commercial experience, I’m also an Associate Certified Coach (ICF). I’ve had the privilege of coaching more than 100 leaders and professionals — from CEOs to early-career managers. What clients tell me they value most is my energy and straightforward style: combining commercial rigour with a coaching approach that helps people face challenges with clarity and confidence.
At 50 Degrees, I ensure the Growth Accelerator goes beyond systems and strategy. It’s about people too — building the mindsets and behaviours that create sustainable growth
Why the Growth Accelerator Works
Proven performance: We’ve supported £3bn+ of client wins, with an 80%+ success rate across 30+ markets.
- Practical expertise: Our team has worked in senior BD, sales, and bid leadership roles — we know what works in practice, not just on paper.
- End-to-end scope: From strategy and market entry through to retention, the Accelerator covers the full growth journey.
- Actionable outputs: Clients leave with a roadmap of immediate actions and longer-term priorities that are realistic and measurable.
Turning Insight into Action
Growth diagnostics aren’t about theory — they’re about creating clarity. The Growth Accelerator helps organisations of all sizes answer the fundamental questions:
- Where are we strong today?
- Where are we vulnerable?
- What will give us the fastest impact?
- How do we make growth sustainable?
With those answers, leadership teams can prioritise resources, align people, and build the resilience needed to grow — whatever the market conditions.
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