The SCALE 360º program run by the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) from July to August 2025, was a Business Development Service Provider's (BDSP) goldmine. I participated in the program as a TMC partner, but came back with many lessons also applicable in Insight Labs. This blog post covers some of what I learnt, and gives you an insight into what the program was about. For a deeper dive, please visit the TMC Blog post.
In July, I got the opportunity to participate in yet another training program. This time, as a representative of Toki Mabogunje & Co. (TMC). I am bringing it to the Insight Labs blog because the learnings of that program are applicable beyond the doors of TMC. In fact, they apply to any Enterprise Support Organisation (ESO). So while Insight Labs is not a BDSP like TMC, it still stood to benefit.
Now a few months ago, the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), advertised an upcoming training program in their monthly newsletter. It was called the SCALE 360º program, and it promised all sorts of juicy things for ESOs:
- Benchmarking
- Peer Learning
- and Coaching amongst others.
So when we saw it at TMC, we decided that we should take part, and that I would be TMC's representative. I thank my lucky stars that I was, because I learnt so many valuable things that I can apply both to TMC and Insight Labs for improved performance.
So what did I learn? In a sentence, I learnt how to apply the SCALE framework to ESO operations for a 360º improvement on performance. And what is the SCALE framework? It is a 5-point set of principles that inform how you:
- Select the right enterprises to serve
- Charge for your services
- Address their business problems
- Learn from them, and finally
- Lead by Example.
For my Insight Labs followers, I have decided to drop one insight per principle, to highlight why the program was so impactful.
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Select the Right Enterprise
Not every client that signs up to your program or offers you money, should be your customer. You should have a method for selecting which of your potential clients you serve. Whether that is by surveying them to make sure their needs align with your offering, segmenting and defining your ideal customers, or something else: filtering down your leads into good matches improves your outcomes. -
Charging to Improve Performance
Charging Enterprises for your services or programs is not just about making money. It contributes to selection, validates commitment, and even improves feedback. Because when people give their money, they want it to work for them. -
Address Problems
When you are teaching or serving your Enterprises, make sure you're addressing real problems, not just teaching theory. Working with your clients on their actual problems not only improves the value you deliver, it also helps them to appreciate it. -
Learn by Evaluating Enterprise Performance
When you serve your clients, measure your performance. Track what worked and use it to improve your business. This way, every client served adds to you in more ways than one. -
Lead by Example
Walk your Talk, and practice what you preach. This way, your clients can see in you the benefits of following the advice and lessons you give.
These 5 lessons are just a small sampling of what I took away from the SCALE 360º program. I hope they serve you as well as they will serve TMC and Insight Labs. That's it from me for now, I look forward to seeing you on the next post.
Signed,
Damola Mabogunje
For TMC Insight Labs