A blog on strategic thinking, frameworks & scaling for creative founders.
How to immediately become more #effective AND efficient… Here’s a powerful lesson from #ProductiveProfits and nearly a decade of trial and error testing…. It’s called 80/20 Day Optimization Every one of my clients gets this lesson and I outline it in the book. Why? Because
One of my early mentors wrote “a startup’s culture will either be defined by you (the founder) or the team” in his book Startup Culture Mindset I couldn’t agree more. Because it’s based on design. I’ll go ever further that -your sales process -your team
According to a Forbes article “75% of all businesses in the UK, USA, and Australia, do not reach a point where they can employ anyone.” If you are in the 25% fold – this is for you: Your number one: -competitive factor -underutilized and untapped
My feet were inflamed, my back pulsing, as I asked myself “is this worth it?”. That was the inner conversation I was having when I completed a 14 mile practice run during my marathon training. In this Spark, I want to discuss
Photo by Andrej Lišakov on Unsplash There are core pillars in business that are quite obvious and others that are hidden beneath the surface (we’ll talk about those tomorrow). One of those core pillars is simple: create value for your customers. When you design value for
Photo by Sebin Thomas on Unsplash There is an illusion trap that we fall into as entrepreneurs that not only stunts but creates a barrier between you and your growth goals. The trap of:-always seeking for the next big “thing” (whatever that is)-dismissing simple concepts because
Photo by Alexander Popov on Unsplash There is a hidden element within every single one of your teams. Most teams oversee this hidden element. But when you get this right, there is -alignment within team members -higher productivity within teams -fuel to allow each team member
Photo by Taisiia Shestopal on Unsplash When you look out to nature you see that it is organized towards a purpose. An entrepreneurial endeavor is no different. There must be an end goal or milestone in mind. A purpose for the work. The work cannot be
Photo by Team Fredi on Unsplash First things first: you have to know where you are going and why. It’s baffling but it happens, that entrepreneurs grow for growth’s sake and end up at a point they didn’t imagine. Can you succeed in this way? Yes.
Ask anyone who has implemented E O S into their business and they will say they do not follow it to a perfect “T” Why? Because businesses (especially fast growing companies) do not fit into a box. I’ve also seen businesses lose
Photo by Olav Ahrens Røtne on Unsplash Successful business owners are not smarter than you… …they just run their business like a business. Setting themselves up with key ingredients like: predictable sales fine-tuned customer fulfillment process process to create higher customer lifetime value… Want a sneak
Photo by Wes Hicks on Unsplash There is an erroneous and misleading mantra of the times telling you to follow your passion and you’ll be happy. A few points: First of all, happiness isn’t something you earn. If you believe happiness is earned, you will never
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash Here are quick hits (lessons) that I have pondered on and thought of as I do my training and long distance running. As a note: I have sciatic pain so I have to be very careful with my training. I
Photo by Jose Aragones on Unsplash Let’s cut to the chase, here are the 10 things you need to stop doing if you want to be successful in your business: STOP: 1- checking your notifications throughout the day (including your email) 2- tracking and caring about
Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash Not too many people know of my own personal entrepreneurship learning lessons or “failures”, if you will. I think it’s important to view failures as learning lessons. The way I see, the only true failure is giving up… That being
Photo by Hannah Wei on Unsplash Let’s have a heart to heart. This post is not to intimidate nor put you down. But we need to address key points I’VE SEEN stunt business growth. 1- You’re literally all over the place and you have multiple projects
Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash Everyone loves the hacks and widgets. Here’s my short list of tools I’ve used and love to build micro habits that increase productivity for the long term. 1- OmniFocus (LOVE LOVE LOVE for solo work but had to scale
Photo by Hatham on Unsplash These are all my PERSONAL observations of working alongside some really successful entrepreneurs. They are not in any particular order. 1 — wakes up early and workout. Average time wake time 3:30–5:00am. 2 — has an attitude and mindset that looks at the upside without
Photo by Dan Burton on Unsplash If you have a business model driving revenue, you are not a startup. A startup is a product or offer in search of a PROFITABLE business model. I remember hearing companies saying and boasting about being a ’17 year old
Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash Frameworks, systems, process, scale [INSERT FAD WORD HERE] Ok, so I grabbed your attention. But seriously, how do you develop a framework not only for your business today but for where you want to GROW your business to? It all
Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash The formula to achieving whatever goal you set for yourself and your company is a finite formula. However, it is continuous through time. The formula is: Effort x Time = Result In order words, we could label this as persistence. And
Photo by Justin Luebke on Unsplash Let’s be real. There are non-revenue driving activities and revenue driven activities in your company happening right now. How balanced are your activities? In order to diagnose your customer acquisitions strategy, you need to understand first, “what am I doing”
Photo by Matt Artz on Unsplash There is no one size fits all. But there are common elements for success. Here are 5 keys to building a business that lasts. 1 — Solve a pungent, in demand, and valuable problem for your customer. Just as in marketing where
Photo by Mia Nohara on Unsplash If you haven’t heard the story of a Chinese Bamboo Tree, then you’ll want to pay close attention. .. Like any plant, the Chinese Bamboo tree requires good soil, water and sunlight. The interesting thing is that if you plant this
Photo by Max on Unsplash Increase pricing Practice value-based pricing Create a downsell for prospects that don’t buy your main product/service Create a product to show value for 2–3 months and then offer a service/product that continues the momentum for the client and creates MRR for
Photo by Rachel Cook on Unsplash “Wake up at 4, workout at 5” “Finish the most important work before 9” That might be ideal but has this happened to you: You wake up 1 hour right before your 8 or even 9 o’clock meeting? There’s no
Photo by Clark Tibbs on Unsplash The information age is fading away… They say we are in the experiential age now. Here’s the real era we are in (and have been in): The design age. Where you get to design: -who you work with -how you
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash What’s your secret agenda? Why are you really in business? The answer to this will drive every action and every decision you make in your company. It will also attract and repel. Attract potential new hires, opportunities, and business partners.
Photo by Gabriel Benois on Unsplash Has this happened to you? 2:52pm “you around?” 2:54pm “yeah, just finishing up the project” 2:55pm “cool, can we meet to discuss?” 2:57pm “yes, let’s get @John and @Ana on as well” 3:01pm “here’s the link Z00m” Live Call: “So
Photo by Goran Ivos on Unsplash One of the most proactive things you can do in order to 1- Ensure your team’s work is balanced 2- Ensure there is open communication when the team is on & working 3- Double productivity… …is quite simple: work with
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash Practice makes perfect. Giving feedback to your team members is no different. Here are 5 tactical steps you can implement TODAY to give effective feedback to your team members that need it. 1 Get Permission Just like marketing, we
Photo by Stefan Steinbauer on Unsplash One of the core things that I emphasize with Productive Profits is the mission, vision, and values of your company. This is probably the most overlooked thing in companies… even though they can unlock new levels of growth. We think
Photo by Kaleidico on Unsplash There’s a difference between your company’s vision and the clear, attainable (yet aggressive) goals that move the needle to reach that vision. In this Spark, we talk about the latter. When you clearly define what habits in your company drive your
Photo by Leon on Unsplash I am a firm believer that everything your company does, down to the smallest tasks, must support an overarching business goal or strategy. If all energy within your company is driven in a singular direction, your results will be quite powerful.
Photo by Marc Sendra Martorell on Unsplash Habits are at the center of all the actions we do. We either take actions from habits that we formed early on in our lives or execute habits that we prepared in advance in order to reach a certain
Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash There is truth in the proverbial fruit that is easy to pick, otherwise called “low hanging fruit”. (If you’re into Keto, call it “low hanging berries”…) In business, this refers to simple modifications and improvements you can implement that can
Photo by XPS on Unsplash I always teach that it’s not the tool that you use that matters but how you use it. Today I’m sharing with you the 4 tools I use daily that not only shorten the gap in getting things done but have
Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash When you start pricing your custom work based on the value your client receives you’ll start operating at a different level in business. Things changed because we saw ourselves and our business differently. When you see the value of your
Photo by One zone Studio on Unsplash There are tons of apps out there selling you the idea that if you only use them, you’ll become more efficient. I’m here to tell you that they may work but unless you get the principles correct first, those
Photo by QuickOrder on Unsplash When you’re pricing out your custom work and quoting a client, we tend to price based on what we think the work is worth. Don’t get me wrong, you may price well and be happy at the end of the day.
Photo by Kaleidico on Unsplash A strategy is based on principles. When you look at the end outcome you are looking to achieve, you first have to review the principles that are at play review the current constraints within your situation Only then can you start
Photo by laura adai on Unsplash Efficiency – is quick – is creative to find new ways to get to the same outcome faster – leans toward being productive – is direct – can save time or money – is needed Effectiveness – is not binary
Photo by processingly on Unsplash I’ve been honored to be able to lead teams. Small teams, large teams, & something in between — in the same time zone and also in multiple time zones (sometimes up to 9 different time zones)… I’ve stopped keeping count. After practicing myself
Photo by Neil Soni on Unsplash When I help my teams improve their productivity by optimizing their day, I always start with this principle: eliminate distractions! Emails, pings, notifications etc. It’s important to make sure that whatever you’re working on, you’re focused and do not have
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash I’ve had the honor to be working with some amazing teams. One of the ways I work with teams is through what I call a Sprint: a 6 to 8 week period to implement a strategic solution with the company. Depending
Photo by Victor Freitas on Unsplash Success isn’t buying power Success isn’t status Success isn’t being known Rather Success is knowing you gave everything you are capable of in every little thing (known or unknown to others). Success is raising your own bar and reaching it — even
I have recently decided to find creative ways to get information and communication across without having to get on a meeting. To some of my peers, this has been a delight because odds are they are drowning in meetings. Meaning, they are wasting time sitting
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash Have you ever measured the return on productivity of your meetings? Should we measure this? Yes. Why? Your time is limited and wasting it one of the worst things you can do. What are the types of meetings your business should
Photo by Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash We’ve all been there, the long drag meetings that you question why you’re attending in the first place. All to extract certain information that you could have gotten over a text. Now, I won’t say that all meetings are useless.
Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash There’s an inherent misconception that if you simply “remove a bottleneck” from your business, you’ll solve the problem. (This imagery uses a bottle to describe a business process) Well, let me ask you — where is a bottleneck on a bottle? At
Photo by Ryunosuke Kikuno on Unsplash In today’s Spark, I want to write an observation of what I have seen as a natural progression of problems as companies grow. I will note that I have not personally seen every problem under the sun and have primarily
As a founder, you may have been unique at the beginning of your company, but when it starts to form arms and legs and is running then sprinting, your unique role changes… Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Unsplash There is a time where your business
Building and adding to your company to take it to a new level of success takes time and effort, as you may know… Although it takes time and effort, don’t stop too early. Too often I see founders not sticking with their plan. If you created
Photo by Chase Clark on Unsplash There’s always a question in the back of every founder’s mind: “Am I focusing my time and energy on the right actions?” It becomes apparent that founders CAN’T and SHOULDN’T do everything in their company. However, out of all the
Photo by Jake Melara on Unsplash In Productive Profits, I discuss that founders and leadership teams must have a finger on their company’s pulse while looking at the horizon of their vision, goals, and mission. When it comes to making difficult decisions or answering a series
We are approaching 1 year of the release of Productive Profits. It’s been a ride but to be honest, it’s more of a long, cold but fun, tough mudder run… (not your typical marathon). It’s been amazing to see how the book has helped entrepreneurs
We are approaching 1 year of the release of Productive Profits. It’s been a ride but to be honest, it’s more of a long, cold but fun, tough mudder run… (not your typical marathon). It’s been amazing to see how the book has helped entrepreneurs
We are approaching 1 year of the release of Productive Profits. It’s been a ride but to be honest, it’s more of a long, cold but fun, tough mudder run… (not your typical marathon). It’s been amazing to see how the book has helped entrepreneurs
Impact Graph — Raul Hernandez Ochoa — All Rights Reserved We are approaching 1 year of the release of Productive Profits. It’s been a ride but to be honest, it’s more of a long, cold but fun, tough mudder run… (not your typical marathon). It’s been amazing to see how
We are approaching 1 year of the release of Productive Profits. It’s been a ride but to be honest, it’s more of a long, cold but fun, tough mudder run… (not your typical marathon). It’s been amazing to see how the book has helped entrepreneurs
We are approaching 1 year of the release of Productive Profits. It’s been a ride but, to be honest, it’s more of a long, cold but fun, tough mudder run… (not your typical marathon). It’s been amazing to see how the book has helped entrepreneurs
Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave (if you’re
Photo by Celpax on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave (if you’re curious
Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave (if you’re
Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave (if you’re
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave (if you’re
Photo by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave
Photo by Cherrydeck on Unsplash I had the opportunity to be invited on the AgoraPulse Agency Growth chat on Twitter. I’d like to take their question and answer format to provide a more in depth explanation to the tweet size answers I gave (if you’re curious
Photo by Artem Sapegin on Unsplash Here’s the thing: “experts” will teach you the strategies but they will not teach you the framework to come up with strategies on your own. Either because they don’t know how and they call an experience that worked for them
Photo by Erica Magugliani on Unsplash Not everything in your company needs to be perfectly documented with a “HOW TO” guide. You hired talent that is smarter than you for a reason… So let them shine. The biggest waste in your company is not found in
Photo by Cristofer Jeschke on Unsplash Strategic thinking isn’t always looking at new ways of doing something. It includes looking at what you’re doing in new ways. It all starts with knowing (understanding). To identify what is truly at play and what are the inner workings
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash Market research will tell you the story, trend and current situation within your industry and customer. Customer feedback will allow you to hear where your customers are coming from and what they want to get more of. All this is
Photo by Volkan Olmez on Unsplash Core metrics are the metrics that you control and that drive your business forward. Identify in your business right now what metrics are in your control and who in your company is making progress on them. Don’t go surface level
Photo by Daniel Öberg on Unsplash In Productive Profits, I discussed how there are essentially only 3 areas in your business to focus on: operations, marketing (sales lives here), and product/service fulfillment: OPS, MKTG & PROD. We can refine further by looking at the core metrics
Photo by Kunj Parekh on Unsplash If you value your time so much, why do you disrespect other’s time so often? -Coming (regularly) late to meetings: be punctual -Letting meetings run longer than they have to: set an outcome -Having all your team join the meetings
Photo by Slidebean on Unsplash Meetings are for: -clarity -identifying problems -discovering solutions -planning -educating/training What meetings are not for: -getting updates to things you already have access to -asking questions you should have the answer to -hiding your responsibility on another team member -doing the work that
Photo by Martin Woortman on Unsplash Have I taken care of my spirit this morning? Have I taken care of my mind this morning? Have I taken care of my body this morning? What did I learn this morning? What are the important 3 things I
Photo by Ross Findon on Unsplash Questions bring clarity and a certain level of understanding. Understanding is measured by how clearly you can articulate your ideas. It’s not “less is more” but saying “just enough” for the other to connect with your idea. This is how
Photo by Jac Alexandru on Unsplash Why does it matter? To your initiative, goal, or milestone: Why does it matter? To your company mission statement: Why should your team care? To your product or service. Who cares? And why do they care? And then going deeper
Photo by Coasteering on Unsplash Here are the core essentials: -Define what is the end outcome -Define who is involved -Define what are the core milestones -Detail what actions are needed to reach the milestones -Determine how often this needs to happen -Provide access to the
Great ideas stem from understanding. Executing a great idea stems from experience. The better you can articulate the idea, clearly defining it — the clearer it will be for you to see: -what experience you need to execute it -who you need to talk to, hire or
The goal written in your journal is simply that — an idea written on paper. Your idea has the potential to change the world. But sitting idly on your paper, it never will. The only way to bring an idea into actuality is by working on it.
There are two things you must always give your team. The first is Clarity. The clarity to know and understand the work at hand. The clarity of how to execute it successfully. The second are resources. Resources to complete the task successfully. And training resources
Wyze’s lean operations & tech innovation is remarkable. You may not be selling IoT technology or smart home cameras. You might not even be selling products at all, perhaps only providing services. However, let’s focus on some of the strategic principles Wyze executed and see
Responsibility invokes choice. Our will to take it up or desert it. Ethics and our values determine our choice. Choice determines action. Great leaders act not just for themselves but for the good of the organization, community, and culture — given the constraints, factors, and data.
Responsibility. Some hide from it. Others avoid it. But those who embrace it make a difference. Whether in teams or in your own personal life, taking hold of responsibility means doing the best with what you control.
Habits are for the long term. They produce an outcome. Positive or negative. The habit doesn’t care, it’s a habit. It’s up to you to determine which ones to adopt and which ones to stop. Process can be short term or long term. They focus
How do you know if you should trust your process? Do you have results but not sure how or if you can replicate them? Does thinking about the process rob you of your sleep? If yes, you must refine your process. Review the habits you
What do you work for? Time with family? The satisfaction of doing something great? To look and appreciate the lives you helped? That moment — regardless of what it is — brings stillness of time. There is a sense of peace, even for a moment. But we are hooked
Add responsibility, Expand your capacity. Does your mind close in when you think about this or does it expand?
A leader that is in every meeting. A leader that does not let go. A leader that lacks trust. A leader that lacks patience. A leader that doesn’t set boundaries. A leader that acts then thinks. A leader that does not work on themselves. A
You don’t have a remote team issue. You have a communication issue. Turn that webcam on. Set time aside to connect with your people on a personal level. Have that buffer time before important meetings. Once you stop treating your remote team like a machine,
If you want to foster a great team, don’t command it. Demand it. Here’s the difference. Commanding someone to do something is just that, a command. A task, a job, an initiative, a project — it gets done. And that’s the end of it. Demanding excellence sets
Yes, communicating with and leading people is an art. To understand, to hear, to listen, to have patience, to show empathy, and to pave a way forward. How we transmit this starts from within. To know ourselves, our way of thinking, and our internal communication.
Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash When you set your revenue goal, who did you think of? That frame of mind looks internally, inward, first. It’s not bad, after all, revenue and profits drive business forward. But let’s look beyond just internally. If your business exists