Anyone scaling businesses knows that building teams is highly challenging. You can have the best laid plans but the wrong people in the wrong seats will make any of your intentions elusive, much less achievable. We are working on defining the lanes individuals run in using a matrixed approach around responsibility. It can get confusingContinue reading “Teams and Lanes”
Category Archives: Blog
It’s All About Content
Revisit the strategy of using your blog as the way to share content when: … someone asks you for advice, write it up … you are working through an idea … you are positioning for customers You can also use the following strategies for making content count: Shoot Loom videos of what you are thinkingContinue reading “It’s All About Content”
Empire Building and Diminishing Returns
The law of diminishing returns is critical to think about for empire builders and deal makers. I think about this concept a lot because you can overstay your contribution. There are people that work on the first part of the curve well. They visioneer, design, set up and create strategy, systems, structure and opportunity. WhenContinue reading “Empire Building and Diminishing Returns”
Proof of Concept
When I am looking at entrepreneurial opportunities and deals, the critical piece I value is the proof of concept. This can take varying forms. Let’s examine software as a service, for example. Is there demand for the product? Starting with a service that is sold and delivered manually shows that a paying customer values theContinue reading “Proof of Concept”
Building KPI Scorecards
When teams grow, the management of details, priorities and people can become unwieldy. Knowing what problems to prioritize and address can easily become a blur. Thus, building KPI scorecards built on specific execution that roll up to results has to be designed and implemented as part of the management process. Here is how to makeContinue reading “Building KPI Scorecards”
How to Get Clear Quickly
It’s hard to stop when you are working hard. Our brains can trick us into thinking that our efforts mean productivity. You may be working on the wrong thing altogether. You may be digging the wrong hole, so stop digging. Getting clear is critical when you are not clear. And clarity is not free. YouContinue reading “How to Get Clear Quickly”
You Can’t Take the Thinking Out of Knowledge Work
“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.” – Henry Ford We have a lot of uncertainty around us, especially during these COVID times. What was normal, is now obsolete or transformed. The pandemic ushered in new business models and efficiencies. And for the knowledgeContinue reading “You Can’t Take the Thinking Out of Knowledge Work”
How to Protect Your Entrepreneurial Downside
It truly is a jungle out there. Regardless of your good intentions, there is much uncertainty and unknowns in the course of building businesses. I know many entrepreneurs that strictly focus on the top line and driving revenue. Sometimes, this intense focus precludes worrying about the details that might chip away at one’s winnings. It’sContinue reading “How to Protect Your Entrepreneurial Downside”
Structure
I believe that function follows form. The airports realized that posting signs to not spread out and sleep on chairs was ineffective. People simply did what they wanted. Changing the chairs to be individual armrests solved the problem. No more prostrate sleepers. If you make it hard for people to transact, the structure will lowerContinue reading “Structure”
Market Validation
Sell something. Then do it again. That’s how you know that people want what you have to offer. You can look around and see competitors selling what you have to offer before you launch your venture. That’s not a bad position, Other people selling what you offer tells you that you have a valid productContinue reading “Market Validation”