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Zero-Based Roles – Unlock Your Team’s Potential

by Ian Smith | Nov 21, 2013 | Leadership, Org Charts & Org Structures, Organizational Charts & Structures, Performance Profiles. Execution, Recruitment

You may have heard of the term zero-based budgeting. The basic thesis is to look at your business through the eyes of a start up. If you were starting today from scratch, what would you spend money on? Costs creep on over time and before you know it your business is...

What Your Investment Bank Can’t Do For Your Exit

by Ian Smith | Nov 17, 2013 | Exiting your business

  I built two investment banks in London both focused at small to mid-market transactions, working approximately, in the $10m to $100m deal range. Prior to that I helped turnaround a division of Thomson Reuters in the 80s and led the disposal project to Reed, for...

Entrepreneurs Make Terrible Managers – Part 2

by Ian Smith | Nov 14, 2013 | CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Execution Tips

But they can make great leaders! However as stated in Part 1 of this post, the CEO needs help executing her vision. Some people are just really good at getting stuff done. They are very detailed oriented. They are relentless at follow through. Sometimes the CEO just...

Entrepreneurs Make Terrible Managers – Part 1

by Ian Smith | Nov 10, 2013 | CEO, Chief Operating Officer

But they can make great leaders! In this current chapter of my business career I’m getting invited into many businesses. Here is what I’m finding. The Symptoms People are mostly working really hard but the CEO’s big three audacious goals are not being achieved. The...

The Sales Profiles of the 20 Year Old Company

by Ian Smith | Nov 7, 2013 | Sales Management, Scaling

Every company is different. Every business has a lifecycle. Hopefully you will recognize some or all of your company’s profile in these graphs. The question that needs to be asked is always where do I go from here? But first you need to do a deep dive to...
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    Running a Business Vs Value Creation

    June 19, 2026
    Most owners know how to run their business to consistently make payroll. However, the creation of a sustainable business that …Read More »
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    Trigger Points Part 2

    April 14, 2026
    As you drive your business forward it’s easy to underestimate the power of Trigger Points. Everyone gets so busy and …Read More »
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    Valuation Myth

    April 8, 2026
    Valuation models are useless unless they are buyer specific! Let’s look at the ingredients of most CPA type valuation models. …Read More »

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