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Zero-Based Roles – Structure Your Business For Alignment

by Ian Smith | Jul 15, 2014 | Chief Operating Officer, Execution Tips, Org Charts & Org Structures, Organizational Charts & Structures

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...

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...
What every Company should have for Christmas – A Chief Operating Officer

What every Company should have for Christmas – A Chief Operating Officer

by Ian Smith | Dec 22, 2011 | Chief Operating Officer

Season’s Greetings to all my readers. The Chief Operating Officer (COO) position has emerged from the shadows as a fundamental role in getting things done. Tim Cook of Apple  performed the role brilliantly supporting Steve Jobs in executing a brilliant vision....

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    How AI Is Transforming the Acquisition Process

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    I’ll be writing on the LInkedIn platform going forward on a weekly basis so please sign up for my newsletter …Read More »
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    How We Turned a $1 Million Loss Into a $3 Million Profit

    July 15, 2026
    The Operating Decisions That Transformed the Business It was early 2002 when I moved the family to Boston from London …Read More »
  • Successful Acquisitions Are Driven By Operators, Not Dealmakers

    Successful Acquisitions Are Driven By Operators, Not Dealmakers

    July 10, 2026
    I recently listened again to an old interview with Warren Buffett explaining how he decides whether to buy a business. …Read More »

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