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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

  • How AI Is Transforming the Acquisition Process
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The Acquirer

  • How AI Is Transforming the Acquisition Process

    How AI Is Transforming the Acquisition Process

    August 11, 2026
    I’ll be writing on the LInkedIn platform going forward on a weekly basis so please sign up for my newsletter …Read More »
  • How We Turned a $1 Million Loss Into a $3 Million Profit

    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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