Data-driven decision-making is a core value at Attivo. Our commitment to continuous learning and improvement has led to the development of an innovative benchmarking program. We wanted to capture what top-performing early-stage companies were doing and use that information to guide strategic decision-making for current and future clients. By using an anonymized data set from 300+ clients, Attivo can provide clients with unique data and strategic insights into how companies in different phases of growth allocate resources and realize key goals.
The goal of this approach to benchmarking is to have the most relevant, impactful strategic conversations possible with clients to let them know how they’re doing compared to other companies, especially ones in their industry. Attivo provides early-stage companies with a roadmap from formation to scale, and builds the financial plans needed to support their vision.
Benchmarking in Action: “Return To Office”
When an early-stage company has access to quality benchmarking data, leadership teams improve decision-making, optimize cost management, and have the opportunity for continuous improvement. Historically, benchmarking is a strategic practice often overlooked by startups simply because traditional benchmarking services typically focus on larger enterprises. Attivo is changing that.
A surprising insight that Attivo has uncovered through this benchmarking process has been in the data around Return To Office (RTO). Currently, this is a relevant and pressing topic across industries and sectors.
When Attivo first analyzed how much companies were spending on travel, entertainment, and rent, we found that the highest-performing (meaning fastest-growing revenue) companies spent significantly more on travel and rent than those companies below the median. These companies either had employees in the office or invested heavily in regular offsites.
We observed a relationship between performance and proximity across our sample size. We can now use this data to guide conversations around RTO and highlight that whatever approach a client chooses, more money spent in these areas does seem to relate to performance. Attivo has applied this insight firsthand and made a significant investment in travel and entertainment costs through regular offsites and regional meetings.
Learning From High-Performing Companies
Over Attivo’s years of supporting clients, we have found that successful startups leverage benchmarking in their decision-making. The benchmarking data that Attivo offers is unique because it is largely weighted toward smaller, early-stage companies, providing distinctive insights into how successful early-stage companies allocate resources, manage costs, and achieve key growth milestones.
Through this program, Attivo can provide deeper insight and more thoughtful strategic guidance to our clients. Examples include:
- General benchmarks (funding, operating, sales, etc) for Seed to Series C
- How much high-performing companies spend on personnel from Seed to Series C
- How much similarly sized companies spend on operating expenses to achieve their first $1 Million in ARR
Attivo can give clients an internal set of benchmarks for companies that fit their relevant profile and use that data to have a focused conversation about how leadership teams should think about growing their company.
Ready to Level Up Your Decision-Making?
Attivo works alongside founders by providing valuable data and strategic insights to aid their decision-making. By working with a team of experienced professionals, founders can make informed choices, allocate resources wisely, and guide the growth of their business. Attivo is ready to support fundraising, build annual plans, establish key metrics, provide budget v.s. actual reporting, perform deep-dive financial analysis, and provide other services that help founders scale their business.
Don’t let guesswork guide your growth—partner with Attivo to develop a robust financial model tailored to your startup’s needs. Contact us now and begin your journey to more innovative, effective decision-making that will transform your strategic vision into actionable insights for success.
