Brendan McGurgan - Why Most Founders Never Scale

Host: David Jenyns, Creator of SYSTEMology
Guest: Brendan McGurgan, Co-Founder & Director at Simple Scaling, Host of the ScaleX™ Insider Podcast

In this powerhouse episode, we are flipping ScaleX Insider on its head. This week Brendan McGurgan is interviewed by David Jenyns. Brendan McGurgan is a globally recognised scaling expert and the architect behind the ScaleX™ Framework. From leading CDE Global through 25x revenue growth to co-founding Simple Scaling, Brendan shares battle-tested insights from over two decades scaling businesses across six continents.

David and Brendan go deep into the 10 key principles of the ScaleX™ framework, designed specifically to help SME leaders scale with purpose. If you’re serious about growing your business without losing your soul—or your sanity—this episode is a masterclass in clarity, vision, and execution.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why scaling is an inside job and how your mindset could be the greatest bottleneck.

• The difference between a founder CEO and a scaling CEO—and how to know which you are.

• How to build a vision and purpose that excites top-tier talent to join your mission.

• The crucial role of systems, people, and culture in building a scalable business.

• How AI is shaping modern SME scaling—and where it actually fits in the framework.

• Why your proposition needs to solve real problems (hint: your customers don’t care about your baby’s latest feature).

• How to delegate up, out, and down—to people and machines.

Brendan’s ScaleX™ 10 Principles:

1. Psyche

2. Purpose

3. People

4. Plan

5. Processes

6. Performance

7. Proposition

8. Place

9. Partnerships

10. Positive Growth Culture

Whether you're just starting out or well on your scaling journey, this episode will help you think bigger, plan better, and lead with clarity.

Grab the Book

📖 Simple Scaling: 10 Proven Principles to 10x Your Business
👉 https://simplescaling.com/book/

Connect with Brendan McGurgan

• 🌐 Website: https://simplescaling.com/

• 🎧 Podcast: https://simplescaling.com/podcast/

• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcgurgan/

• 📩 Reach out via LinkedIn DM: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanmcgurgan/

About the Host – David Jenyns

David Jenyns is the creator of SYSTEMology, a proven method to free business owners from daily operations by turning chaos into clarity with systems. He’s the author of the bestselling book SYSTEMology and founder of systemHUB.

With a background in digital marketing, business development, and process design, David has helped thousands of business owners systemise and scale successfully—without becoming the bottleneck.

• 🌐 Website: https://www.systemology.com/

• 📘 Book: https://www.systemology.com/book/

• 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SYSTEMology

• 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjenyns/

• 📩 Contact: https://www.systemology.com/contact/

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💬 Final Thought

“Scaling isn’t a solo sport. It’s about inspiring others with a vision so powerful, they help you build the plan, deliver the results, and bring it to the world.” — Brendan McGurgan