Ian Smith | The Portfolio Partnership

Hyper-Growth – Initiatives to Consider – Part 1 The University

by Ian Smith | Sep 12, 2013 | Scaling, Training

I came to Boston in October 2001 from London to manage a software business called Teamstudio. In the summer of the following year it would be listed at #91 on the Inc. 500 list, with a 4 year growth of 1888%, that’s 111% per annum! But that was just the start of our...

The New Sales Playbook for Manufacturers – 5 Moves

by Ian Smith | Sep 8, 2013 | Sales - Farming, Sales Management, Sales Process, Sales Tips, Scaling

Last week the WSJ highlighted a fascinating study published by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The study claimed: Adjusted for productivity, US average labor costs by 2015 will beat Japan by 18%, Germany 34% and France 35%. It details how declining energy...

Selling – Using Your Voice On a Phone

by Ian Smith | Sep 5, 2013 | Sales Tips

On Aug 27th the WSJ published a great little article –“Bosses Say Pick Up the Phone”. It highlighted the dangers of our younger generation failing to use the landline phone especially in a sales role. The Millennials obsession with the smartphone has created a...

The Merger of Mid Market Businesses – Integration Playbook

by Ian Smith | Sep 1, 2013 | Acquisitions

Verizon are trying to buy out their 45% partner Vodafone for $130 billion. Now that gets the headlines. But what about the small mergers and acquisitions that take place below the headlines? Most VC and PE backed businesses consider small bolt on acquisitions to help...

The Portfolio Partnership Advises the Inc. 5000 List

by Ian Smith | Aug 29, 2013 | Inc 5000

Boston, Mass. – August 20, 2013 – The Portfolio Partnership (TPP) a new practice that specializes in scaling private companies, announces some early successes only 2 years after being formed. We are proud to announce that 3 client companies have been included on the...