Impulse Centre: Growth Management for Medium-sized Enterprises
Insight and support for high-growth SMEs
Helping owner-managers and family businesses achieve growth and success in turbulent times
For 30 years, the centre has been creating practical, robust insights to help medium-sized businesses grow. We explore routes to growth – and the choices companies need to make. This includes whether to grow organically by moving into new markets and increasing volumes of work – and when to consider growth by acquisition and alliances. Our focus is owner-managed and family businesses – and we provide the insights to help them succeed in today’s rapidly-changing business environments.
Join a powerful community
Join the centre to become part of a vibrant ecosystem of nearly 130 growth-oriented, owner-managed, and family-managed companies. They come from a range of sectors and generally have 50-1,000 employees.
The centre provides a confidential forum where members and partners openly share insights and experiences. It’s a place where companies network and take part in events relevant to their businesses. This is a powerful community – and your organisation could be part of it.
Insights to power your company
Members of this community of owner-managed companies take part in events about entrepreneurship and growth. They gain insights that are tailored to the needs of their organisations – and that they can put into action immediately.
We explore topics including strategic dimensions of growth, financing, marketing, internationalisation and growth-related innovation. We also look at acquisition, succession, ethics, negotiating with stakeholders – and rolling out control systems in in growing companies.
Network, explore, deepen your thinking
As an owner-manager, you have experiences, views and insights that are valuable. We encourage our members to share these in open, confidential, dialogue at events and meetings. The highlight of our calendar is the annual iGMO Summit. Our members can also join field trips to visit companies in Belgium and further afield. We connect our members to international entrepreneurs, academics, intermediaries and experts.
Recent research
Belgian High-Growth Monitor
This annual study highlights the characteristics of high-growth companies in Belgium – and features survey input from owner-managers.
Entrepreneurs and the Covid-19 crisis
The pandemic has impacted firms severely. However, by taking action quickly and implementing lessons learned, entrepreneurs have tried to limit the damage. SMEs are likely to remain vulnerable for some time yet. But crises can also reveal opportunities for growth – especially when they link a long-term vision to decisive action to limit short-term damage. Indeed, SMEs could emerge from the pandemic healthier than before. This report explores insights from owner-managers of mature, Flemish, growth SMEs.
Partners
Members
Expert faculty
Hans Crijns
Professor of Entrepreneurship
Hans Crijns shares insight into entrepreneurial processes and what they could mean for you.
Join us
The road to growth can be challenging – particularly for owner-managers, family businesses, and young family business members preparing to step up and take responsibility for the family firm.
Membership of the centre means being part of an active, supportive community of like-minded business owners.