978-395-1155
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn
The Portfolio Partnership
  • Our Operating Model
  • Services
    • Scaling Through Operational Excellence
    • Scaling Through M&A
  • Our Team
    • Leadership
    • Credentials
  • Books
  • Blog
  • Featured Insights
  • Speaking
  • Contact
Select Page

Scaling Up – Repositioning First, People Second – A Tool To Transform

Scaling Up – Repositioning First, People Second – A Tool To Transform

by Ian Smith | Sep 21, 2015 | Positioning drives growth, Repositioning

I’ve just purchased Verne Harnish’s 2014 book, “Scaling Up, How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t.” This is a follow up to the very successful “Mastering the Rockefeller Habits.” I’ve just started the book and it looks good but I’m already disappointed....
Why Terrible Storytelling is Ruining Your Business

Why Terrible Storytelling is Ruining Your Business

by Ian Smith | Jul 8, 2015 | Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Repositioning

Marketing is about telling your story. Sales is about allowing the prospect to tell their story. Storytelling is the key to success. Pick a random selection of 12 web sites and try to understand the story they are telling. What does their brand stand for? What do they...

Is It Time to Redefine Your Business? – The Incredible Story of Mohawk Fine Papers

by Ian Smith | Mar 9, 2014 | Repositioning

 Last week the WSJ’s Katherine Rosman wrote a compelling piece that every CEO should study! The article explored the massive changes that large paper companies have had to embrace to survive the digital revolution. Read the article for yourself here. I’ve...
Zooming Out & Zooming In – The Paradox of 10x Managers

Zooming Out & Zooming In – The Paradox of 10x Managers

by Ian Smith | May 24, 2012 | Execution Tips, Leadership, Repositioning

My post this week was inspired by the book Great By Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos and Luck – Why Some Thrive Despite Them All by Chris Collins and Morten T. Hansen. As the authors illustrate so well there are times in life that are jugular key moments. Bends in the...
Private Companies & the Conglomerate Discount

Private Companies & the Conglomerate Discount

by Ian Smith | Jul 15, 2011 | Conglomerate Discount, Grooming For Sale, Maximize exit proceeds, Positioning drives growth, Repositioning

Global divestments hit a record 50% of all M&A deals this year as large public companies rushed to tidy up their portfolios and focus on their core businesses. Many businesses including Ebay, Fortune Brands, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sara Lee, ITT and Marathon Oil...

The Surprising Value of Being the Best in the World

by Ian Smith | Apr 15, 2011 | Being the Best, Compelling Stories, Exiting your business, Management Help, Repositioning

“Our culture celebrates superstars. We reward the product or the song or the organization or the employee that is number one. The rewards are heavily skewed , so much so that it’s typical for #1 to get ten times the benefit of #10, and a hundred times the...
« Older Entries

Search

Subscribe to our mailing list

Categories

Operational Excellence For Exits



Get Your Copy!


Acquisition Support Services



Get Your Copy!


Acquirers Need a Playbook



Get Your Copy!


The Saleability Test



Get Your Copy!


Recent Posts

  • Trigger Points Part 2
  • Valuation Myth
  • Trigger Points
  • Simplify Your Thinking
  • Lessons for Owners – Refreshing Your Operating Model

Our Books

The Acquirer

  • Trigger Points Part 2

    Trigger Points Part 2

    April 14, 2026
    As you drive your business forward it’s easy to underestimate the power of Trigger Points. Everyone gets so busy and …Read More »
  • Valuation Myth

    Valuation Myth

    April 8, 2026
    Valuation models are useless unless they are buyer specific! Let’s look at the ingredients of most CPA type valuation models. …Read More »
  • Trigger Points

    Trigger Points

    March 31, 2026
    As the CFO of a lower middle market business with say Revenue in the $50m to $250m, what are your …Read More »

Contact us and get started

The Portfolio Partnership

978-395-1155

  • Home
  • Scaling Through Operational Excellence
  • Acquisition Support Services
  • Our Operating Model
  • Blog
  • Start a Conversation with Ian
  • Sitemap
  • LinkedIn
  • LinkedIn

Website Design and Development by Nu-Image Design

Post-Acquisition Integration Playbook Download

Fill out the form below to access the Post-Acquisition Integration Playbook download




    Pre-Sale Operational Excellence Download

    Fill out the form below to access the Pre-Sale Operational Excellence download




      Download the Divestiture Playbook

      Fill out the form below to access the Divestiture Playbook download




        Download Why Acquisitions Fail

        Fill out the form below to access the Why Acquisitions Fail download




          Download the Exit Playbook

          Fill out the form below to access the Exit Playbook download