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Operators – You Are Seen

Operators – You Are Seen

by Ian Smith | Apr 22, 2024 | Operational Alignment, Operational Excellence, Value Creation

The spotlight often falls on the CEO as transformations take place: WSJ – Ferrari’s new CEO Benedetto Vigna and his transformation plan. Forbes – How GE’s CEO used a Japanese manufacturing tactic to turn the company around—and got the stock to outperform...
That’s Not The Right Question

That’s Not The Right Question

by Ian Smith | Jan 31, 2024 | Execution Tips, Leadership, Operational Alignment, Operational Blueprints, Scaling

One of the best dialogues in the latest season of True Detective is when Jodie Foster, as Police Chief Liz Danvers says, “you’re asking the wrong question”! As the owner and CEO of your growing business, you will have many challenges in front of you. To solve these...
Entrepreneurship and the Exit Myth

Entrepreneurship and the Exit Myth

by Ian Smith | Jan 24, 2024 | Entrepreneurship, Exiting your business, Operational Alignment

Most entrepreneurs start a business to create something valuable whether they bootstrap it from Day 1 or launch through seed capital and/or venture capital. The type of funding will influence the exit process. External funders will expect an exit. If the business is...
How To Drive Alignment Between Positioning, Marketing & Sales

How To Drive Alignment Between Positioning, Marketing & Sales

by Ian Smith | Mar 29, 2016 | Operational Alignment

One of the most difficult aspects of scaling a business is alignment. You could be the head of a $500m division or the leader of a 25 person manufacturer but you will struggle with alignment. Getting different departments on the same page, getting people pointing in...

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Recent Posts

  • The Deal Is Being Negotiated Long Before You Discuss Price
  • Are You Buying Growth — or Buying Complexity?
  • Doing More Deals Doesn’t Make You a Better Acquirer
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  • The Implications of the Latest M&A Integration Research

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The Acquirer

  • The Deal Is Being Negotiated Long Before You Discuss Price

    The Deal Is Being Negotiated Long Before You Discuss Price

    November 13, 2026
    Lessons from decades around the negotiating table. Imagine sitting across the table from someone who has spent 30 years building …Read More »
  • Are You Buying Growth — or Buying Complexity?

    Are You Buying Growth — or Buying Complexity?

    November 6, 2026
    Why acquisitions fail—and why the operating model matters more than the deal model. An acquisition can make your business bigger …Read More »
  • Doing More Deals Doesn’t Make You a Better Acquirer

    Doing More Deals Doesn’t Make You a Better Acquirer

    October 30, 2026
    Why the post-mortem may be the most undervalued stage of the acquisition process. The company has completed its tenth acquisition. …Read More »

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