Tag Archives: Business Strategy
Built to Last or Built to Flip?
Is your business built to last or built to flip? No question influences your business strategy more than this one. There is no right answer — either strategy is fine. However, making sure that you have alignment throughout your organization on this question is very… Continue reading
Investment Wisdom Convergence from Clayton Christensen and Charlie Munger
When two great thinkers come to a similar idea from different starting points and careers, I pay attention. For business and investment wisdom, Clayton Christensen of the Harvard Business School teaches his students a collection of “theories and frameworks” to help them understand and deal… Continue reading
Real Estate Institute Acquired by Greybull Stewardship
Greybull Stewardship, my long-term oriented partnership of business owners investing in exceptional small businesses, announces the acquisition of Real Estate Institute and its sister company, Bookmark Education. Both companies are headquartered in Niles, IL, which neighbors Chicago. Since 1992, Real Estate Institute has been a… Continue reading
Family Business Role Models: Blumkin Family of Berkshire Hathaway
Heroes have been a topic several times in talks by Warren Buffet. “Pick your heroes carefully,” he said one time, “as it will have a big impact on who you become.” Another time he said, “Tell me who someone’s heroes are, and I will have… Continue reading
BCG Study: Superior Investment Returns From Family Business
Deep wisdom exists in how family businesses are managed for the long-term. In fact, the financial returns for closely held businesses outperform their peer groups across business cycles according to a recent study by the Boston Consulting Group and Sophie Mignon of Ecole Polytechnique. While… Continue reading
Should CEO’s, Business Owners, Founders Focus Inside or Outside?
Founders, CEO’s, and business owners need to be skilled at knowing how to balance many competing ideas, priorities, initiatives, and more. We explored this idea in the post the Art of Balance that listed 20 continuums that founders, CEO’s, and business owners must balance constantly. How much to focus… Continue reading
Five Forces by Michael Porter — Fundamentals Through Graphics
Five Forces of Competition The five forces of competition concept is one of the most influential in modern business. It was developed by Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School. Like all good frameworks, it takes something complicated and provides a simple, shorthand method to… Continue reading
Founder & VC Misalignment More Often Than Thought
The misalignment between vc’s and founders is painfully obvious from the quotes below from the IPO S-1 filing of Applied Medical Corp. (Dan Primack of Fortune did the reporting and should get the credit). First is the company stating why they are going public (bold emphasis mine). … Continue reading
You Are What You Eat (or Where You Get Your Investment)
“Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are,” said French lawyer and epicure Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin. Similarly, tell me where you got the investment for your business and I will tell you what is in store for your business. Each… Continue reading