Add an option/tool to be able to resize multiple objects, but keeping each object's origin point unaltered (i.e. like how PowerPoint resizes when objects are NOT in a group), instead of also moving each object's position in relation to the "origin" of the selection.
This can be an option on the resize toolbar, either a checkbox to indicate "keeping object positions", or a different resizing tool altogether that works that way.
Ideally, use the same options of the "object origin" for the operation.
Unsure if this could work with mouse, but at least have the option to scale manually on the toolbar by % or to a specific measurement.