Sep 5, 20232 min readIn this conversation from The Engineering Leadership Series, Tracy Lee interviews Julie Eaton, a divisional chief executive with Halma PLC, a FTSE-listed public portfolio company. Julie manages a small portfolio of Companies, chairs their boards, and helps them grow. The discussion covers various aspects of helping tech companies grow, expanding into new markets, and scaling organizations.Julie's role involves working closely with the managing directors, many of whom are founders or owners of the companies in her portfolio. She helps them navigate the challenges of growing their businesses, whether they're looking for support to scale or preparing for succession.Julie emphasizes the importance of understanding a company's growth potential and market dynamics. She often encounters hardware tech companies with founders who are experts in their niche but need help expanding into new markets or scaling their operations. Halma provides resources, strategic insights, and connections to facilitate this growth.The conversation highlights the significance of transparent and honest communication between founders and potential partners. Julie advises founders to be clear about their goals and whether they're seeking financial investment, strategic guidance, or both. It's essential to find a partner aligned with the company's vision and values.Julie's approach involves fostering collaboration among portfolio companies, allowing them to share experiences and best practices. This helps them navigate challenges and opportunities more effectively, whether it's entering new geographies or exploring adjacent markets.The discussion also touches on the complexities of hiring when a company is in growth mode. Julie recommends founders recognize their strengths and weaknesses and consider hiring for the skills and cultural values that complement their organization. This process evolves as the company grows and may involve a shift from generalists to specialists.Finally, Julie offers advice to tech founders looking to scale their companies, emphasizing the importance of being open to seeking help and willing to learn. She encourages founders to embrace partnerships that can provide the necessary resources and expertise to achieve their growth ambitions.Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the world of tech company growth and the role of organizations like Halma in facilitating that growth through partnerships and collaboration.This Dot Labs is a development consultancy that is trusted by top industry companies, including Stripe, Xero, Wikimedia, Docusign, and Twilio. This Dot takes a hands-on approach by providing tailored development strategies to help you approach your most pressing challenges with clarity and confidence. Whether it's bridging the gap between business and technology or modernizing legacy systems, you’ll find a breadth of experience and knowledge you need. Check out how This Dot Labs can empower your tech journey.Do you want to have the job done? We are ready to provide our expertise!This Dot Labs proudly partners with enterprises interested in transforming their digital assets, upskilling their teams, and finding novel avenues for advanced integration.