In a recent post I read about outsized growth that some VCs would like startups to achieve for the sake of the investors and their backers. I wondered if that model is still feasible or wise in this new and accelerating world we find ourselves in. Upon reflection of 17 different startups with 10 in anContinueContinue reading “Investors get it wrong most of the time. A few suggestions from a serial entrepreneur to better returns.”
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An anarchist and a general walk into a bar – A leadership story (5 min read – joke inside)
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams I spent a few days last week at a conference for mid-market companies to learn how to scale their company and the binding theme was leadership. First, we heard from General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal who talked about how he had to make a holistic change in his leadership processContinueContinue reading “An anarchist and a general walk into a bar – A leadership story (5 min read – joke inside)”
5 steps to avoid collapse for startup founders. (4 min read)
Imagine you are fortunate enough to build your own house and you can make it any way you want. Would you begin by hiring a contractor and start building the kitchen? After all, that is where most people congregate and where you eat as a family most of the time. Arguably, the kitchen is the mostContinueContinue reading “5 steps to avoid collapse for startup founders. (4 min read)”
The Toxic Worker – How to spot and avoid (3 min read)
Have you ever hired someone that you thought was perfect or at least pretty good but you found out later that you missed something in the interview process and now are not sure you made the right choice? You are not alone and, unfortunately, in the majority. This has happened to most hiring managers. However,ContinueContinue reading “The Toxic Worker – How to spot and avoid (3 min read)”
Why growth means death to most companies and how your company can avoid it. – (1 min read)
Is your company destined to die and it just a matter of when? The following are five phases of growth with some attributes in each. (N.B. The 5 stages of companies according to Larry Greiner, Management guru – originally written in 1972 but still holds true today.) Read the full HBR article here. Take aContinueContinue reading “Why growth means death to most companies and how your company can avoid it. – (1 min read)”
3 examples show 10-100X+ advantage over competition, 4 steps to follow (2 min read)
I learned very early on that, to be a rainmaker, you need to do two things – Sell the Money and Sell the Differences Selling the Money is usually pretty easy to figure out but Selling the Differences is tough as you risk sounding like everyone else (and often end up doing so). We save you timeContinueContinue reading “3 examples show 10-100X+ advantage over competition, 4 steps to follow (2 min read)”
They found the “I” in team. It’s in the A-hole. (2 stories – 3 min read)
When is a team not a team? When it is a working group and everyone acts independently. A working group is more like a team of golfers that go off and play on their own and then get together to add up their scores at the end of the day. A true team is moreContinueContinue reading “They found the “I” in team. It’s in the A-hole. (2 stories – 3 min read)”
Crazy leads to AWESOME! – 4 min. read
Four crazy ideas follow…. Improve Strengths, NOT Weaknesses (Crazy, right?) People are NOT your greatest asset, your people’s strengths are. Let me explain – What I mean by strength is not something that they are good at but something that gives them energy and yes makes them feel strong (they are likely quite good at itContinueContinue reading “Crazy leads to AWESOME! – 4 min. read”
5 secrets for growth – 1 min. read
Which company do you work for? The exception (10%) or the rule (75%+)? The following are five phases of growth with some attributes in each as well as the afflictions and remedies that happen in each phase. Read the fascinating and somewhat technical HBR article here. Stage 1 – Creativity Phase Founders are technically or entrepreneurially orientedContinueContinue reading “5 secrets for growth – 1 min. read”
Boring meetings got you down? 3 examples of a better way – 2 min read
In 30 years, I have gone to countless meetings that started out well but over weeks and months turned into time wasters. Then I would get drawn into lengthy post meeting email discussions that should have been covered in the meeting. Has this ever happened to you? Also, why do we prefer electronic communications as waysContinueContinue reading “Boring meetings got you down? 3 examples of a better way – 2 min read”