Ian Smith | The Portfolio Partnership

Zero-Based Budgeting – An Old Trick For Today?

by Ian Smith | Mar 30, 2015 | budgets

Last week the WSJ highlighted an old technique called zero-based budgeting, first pioneered by Peter Pyhrr, a 35 year old Texas Instruments accountant, around the mid 70s. It’s back in the spotlight again because of 3G Capital Partners’ acquisition of...

Overcoming Entrepreneurial Doubt

by Ian Smith | Mar 24, 2015 | Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurs are often paralyzed with doubt, with negative thoughts. They have lost belief in themselves. As my friend Jim Bouchard will reveal in his new book, The Sensei Leader. “Confidence is one of the most attractive characteristics of a leader. Genuine...

American Entrepreneurship – Stuff they don’t tell you at Business School

by Ian Smith | Mar 17, 2015 | Entrepreneurship

This blog was posted on LinkedIn last week and received nearly 9000 views, 325 likes and 33 comments. It’s important we understand and share this stuff. There are 27.3 million enterprises in the US. The following breakdown should be understood to give you...

Acquisition Questions Your Investment Bank Won’t Touch

by Ian Smith | Mar 10, 2015 | Acquisitions

Executing an acquisition strategy successfully can deliver tremendous benefits. It offers the ability to quantum leap growth, produce economies of scale, enhance technical capabilities, acquire special people, and capture attractive customers. However acquisitions are...

Sales – The Emotional Anchor Required on Every Deal

by Ian Smith | Mar 3, 2015 | Sales Tips

Closing a sale has its challenges. Great product knowledge is a must. A deep understanding of your target sectors and prospects including trends, key players, vocabulary, and future prospects, are crucial to closing deals. A world-class sales process that...