Category: Execution

Congratulations to Appointment Plus, National Holistic Institute, & Main Street Gourmet for Recent Awards

A Rewarding Week: The last week has been a big one for awards at companies affiliated with my investment partnership, Greybull Stewardship.  We are focused on investing in existing businesses with $1 to $3 million in net income that want a stable co-owner (minority or… Continue reading

Economies of Scale — Fundamentals Through Graphics

The Experience Curve Revisiting fundamental business concepts is helpful.  Old concepts often have new meaning when viewed after new experiences.  Or, as we say at the school where I am a co-owner, “See it with today’s eyes and hear it with today’s ears.” One important,… Continue reading

To Increase Your Personal and Business Prosperity: Exchange More

A Business and Personal Prosperity Secret? What is the secret to creating value in the world for yourself and others?  Exchange is the best and shortest answer I would give today.  Exchange, or the act of giving one thing and receiving another in return, creates prosperity. … Continue reading

Is It Better to Make Employees Fit Roles or Roles Fit Employees?

Employee Role Playing Over a grill this past weekend, a debate arose among friends about whether it is better to help employees change to fit the role you envision for them, or change their role to fit their strengths.  The VP of Sales in a… Continue reading

Nature and the Great Outdoors: Important Aid to Business Owners

A Productivity “Exercise” for Business Owners A walk in nature is the most productive activity I do.  It is so easy to forget this and forge ahead with work indoors, but each time I hike or walk (most often through the Marin Headlands or Mt… Continue reading

Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs – Harvard Business Review

In this month’s issue of the Harvard Business Review, there is a nice article by Walter Isaacson titled The Real Leadership Lessons of Steve Jobs that is worth reading.   As you know, Walter Isaacson is the author of the recent biography titled Steve Jobs and he provides… Continue reading

Competitive Advantage, Company Culture, and Simon Sinek

Competitive Advantage as Company Culture A powerful competitive advantage, even though it is intangible, can be built through a unique company culture.  I have seen it in action, and it is powerful.  It works particularly well today because many people prefer to work at a company and make purchases… Continue reading

Growing Your Business Without New Customers or New Products

This is a very basic, but effective, tool to brainstorm growth initiatives — just a simple reminder for us all. On one axis, put a list of all your products or services. On the other axis, put a list of all your customers. Then, fill-in the matrix for… Continue reading

Survival of the Social-Collaboratist

Group social skills have conquered the earth (and will continue), said 82-year old Harvard professor Edward O. Wilson a few days ago at a talk I attended through the Long Now Foundation. This idea prompts me to think about several implications for businesses and other… Continue reading

Make Business Variability Your Friend

Life, nature and business are variable. They rarely travel in straight lines. They are organic. They move up, down, and sideways often on timeframes that you cannot predict or control. Trying to control, manipulate and insulate yourself from these movements can be frustrating and usually… Continue reading