by Ian Smith | Jul 19, 2016 | Execution Tips, Operational Blueprints, Problem Solving, Scaling
The biggest barrier to scaling a business is often the culture. Bad culture allows silo-thinking to dominate. Smart, successful cultures let dynamic, multi-departmental projects be defined and executed in a spirit of collaboration. Egos minimized. Results are key....
by Ian Smith | Feb 9, 2016 | Operational Blueprints, Operational Tips, Problem Solving
Last year at The Portfolio Partnership we embedded our operational playbooks across many sectors, to scale our clients. The most common symptom across all clients? Handing operational problems correctly to get them solved. Yes key operational blueprints regarding...
by Ian Smith | Mar 6, 2014 | Incentives, Innovation, Operational Blueprints, Talent
A recent Gallup poll announced that worldwide only about 13% of the workforce is engaged in the work they do. Engaged? As Gallup puts it: psychologically committed to their jobs and likely to be making positive contributions to their organizations. The US and Canada...
by Ian Smith | Feb 9, 2014 | Basic Finance, Leadership, Operational Blueprints
I was recommended a great book to read by my friend Loren Carlson (Chairman of the Boston based CEO Roundtable) – The Outsiders by William N. Thorndike, Jr. subtitled, Eight Unconvential CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success. So you thought...
by Ian Smith | Jan 23, 2014 | Operational Blueprints, Operational Tips
To do your best work you need to focus. You need to master your craft. To be the best in your market, the best in your region, the best in the world requires a mental discipline few possess. I’ve always been competitive. I want to win. Even in hobbies,...
by Ian Smith | Jan 22, 2013 | Leadership, Management, Operational Blueprints
A recent FT article spotlighted the unlimited vacation time phenomenon. Wandisco (software company), Evernote (note taking service), LRN (consultancy), Netflix, Red Frog (events company), Inbucon (HR consultancy) all offer some version of unlimited vacation/holiday...
