The Portfolio Partnership

Leadership of Small & Medium Sized Businesses (SMBs)

by Ian Smith | Aug 3, 2009 | Communication, Compelling Stories, Management Help, Mentoring, Positioning drives growth, Recruitment, Strategy

It’s a lonely life driving your SMB, especially in one of the toughest economic climates this century! I’ve noted below a few focused, insightful, and recession-relevant leadership ideas for your joy and edification. I hope they help. Strategic direction – times are...

VC Industry – lost the plot

by Ian Smith | Jul 8, 2009 | start ups, VC industry, VCs misaligned

So I’m looking at the latest VC investment numbers, 3 months to June 09 and I’m thinking the VC world has lost the plot! Let me share with you some very simple numbers. My arms will not leave my body at anytime during this presentation. 2009 figures (3...

What I know about Management Dashboards

by Ian Smith | Jul 1, 2009 | Dashboards, Management Help, Strategy

As we struggle to manage our businesses in these challenging times, I’m a little surprised there is not much air-time given to – what we should be measuring and how we should use it. So here are a few ideas – Things I know about Management Dashboards: Monthly...

MITX Events – Free Social Media Tools

by Ian Smith | Jun 25, 2009 | Social Media

There were so many great tips and tricks given out at yesterday’s MITX event I felt the need to blog about my take from the session. Panellist details are here:Web Sites/Tips mentioned:Slideshare.com – open an account and start sharing, get your words...

The Compelling Arguments for SaaS

by Ian Smith | Jun 22, 2009 | Benefits of SaaS, SaaS, SaaS causes cultural change

Around $9 Billion of the $284 Billion software market is currently sold using an online method, Software as a Service or SaaS. The online market is growing at 40%, the traditional market at 3%. So what’s all the fuss about? Well I am convinced that buyers of...

Twitter: Why and How I use it

by Ian Smith | Jun 15, 2009 | Twitter

How: 1. Go to Twitter.com and sign up. 2. Start Tweeting on key messages you care about. 3. Big difference between Facebook and Twitter. On the former you have “friends” who see each other’s stuff. On Twitter you “follow” someone, bit...

Negotiations – A Checklist to Improve the Odds

by Ian Smith | Jun 15, 2009 | Negotiation

There are a million books on negotiation but busy executives don’t need a book, they need a cheat sheet! I offer these tips based on buying & selling businesses, negotiating with unions, negotiating with venture capitalists, turning around a software group and...

Strategies to Acquire World Class Talent

by Ian Smith | Jun 12, 2009 | Recruitment

One of the key drivers of shareholder value is the quality of second tier management. Buyers of companies, sponsors of IPOs, and PE & VC companies invest in products, people and markets….. but especially people! As a recent WSJ article put it so well,...

Best Industries in Recession – Inc.com suggestions

by Ian Smith | Jun 5, 2009 | Positioning drives growth

Those clever guys at Inc.com pushed out a great little thought provoking piece titledThe Best Industries for Starting a Business Right Now.So I thought it would be useful to list them and offer a few comments:#1 Candy – industry grew 3.7% – think niche and...

How far can my sales drop?

by Ian Smith | May 27, 2009 | Breakeven analysis

I thought my entrepreneurial friends might find it helpful to review the look-up table above, which tells you – the maximum reduction in sales before you lose money: First identify your company on the table by your Gross Margin and your Net Margin (after fixed...