At that point, my traditional oncologist sent me home and said, ‘enjoy your last days.’
Steve Spencer
Strong margins help a company ease through macro headwinds.
Fortune
Helping Convicted Felons Get a New Start (Scaling Up Coach)
At age 78, Scaling Up Coach Bob Lobos isn’t slowing down. Working with the Louisiana Department of Corrections and Workforce Investment Council of Louisiana, Bob is providing training to pre- and post-release felons to help them start businesses. This Scaleups.com article details the program and results (80% success rate so far) with a BHAG to help launch 250 startups in five years. He’s also working with the Louisiana Rehabilitation Council to help people with disabilities launch startups as well. Bob, we’re honored to have you among our ranks!
Three Key Moves in a Recession
This Fortune article details research that measured what companies did in previous recessions that drove the best shareholder return:
- Improve Margins – and the sooner the better
- Optionality in the Balance Sheet – reduce debt, improve retained earnings, etc.
- Timing and Balance Key – again, move quick and balance all the above
Overall, the key is being very proactive vs. reactive. Please take 2 minutes to read the details and then act! Most of the things are good biz practices anyway and this environment gives you the air coverage to make the moves.
Wikipedia for Business 2023
Wikipedia is usually the first link that pops up when you search for anything – so make sure your Wikipedia listing is accurate and useful (my birthdate was wrong and I didn’t like my picture). Josh Green’s newly released book, Wikipedia for Business 2023: The Rules & Latest Developments that Businesses & Communicators Need to Know to Succeed covers some of the notable changes, challenges and successes his firm saw in 2022 with Wikipedia, along with a look ahead at what to expect in 2023. Plus, he has a new chapter on the importance of Wikipedia to your SEO strategy and how they are connected. Or just reach out to Josh and have his firm do the work for you – we do (I get no commissions for promoting Josh) josh@themathergroupllc.com.
Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer – Cured
We continue to cut, burn, and poison people with cancer – and sometimes it works, though the patient (and family) suffers tremendously along the way. Steve Spencer came to the Riordan Clinic (I’m Vice Chair of the Board) with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and a concomitant MRSA infection. The conventional oncologists told him there was nothing more they could do. Steve's wife, Miriam, would not accept that as an answer. 18 months after starting care with us, Steve has no evidence of pancreatic cancer, no evidence of MRSA infection, recently participated in a marathon, and welcomed another grandchild into his family. Steve agreed to tell his patient story. We published it in our Health Hunter Newsletter and hosted them on a podcast.
The Riordan Clinic Integrative Oncology Team
If you know anyone with cancer, the non-profit Riordan Clinics is in its 43rd year of curing the incurable. I’ve been associated with the clinic for 33 of those years. Our oncology team consists of two board-certified naturopathic oncologists Dr. Lucas Tims and Dr. Kirsten West; our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ron Hunninghake; and Laura Stauffer, a very talented nurse practitioner gifted in cancer and complex chronic illness care. All are additionally certified in the Metabolic Approach to Cancer. This team is arguably one of the most credentialed, most highly experienced, integrative oncology teams in North America. Please reach out if we can be of service – verne@scalingup.com.
Order a box of 20 Scaling Up books
Want to save 50% over the price on Amazon? Go to this link.
TECHNOLOGY:
Scaling Up Scoreboard Integrated with Salesforce, Slack, and Zapier (allowing it to connect with 1000s of systems), use Scoreboard to provide your team (working remotely even more important!) a real-time visual dashboard of cascading priorities and metrics. Get a personalized tour of Scaling Up Scoreboard to see how you can use it to better implement Scaling Up in your business.
Have you considered becoming a Certified Scaling Up Coach?
Learn more about what it takes to certify and what being a coach is like. Pop into our Coach Office Hours to talk with our coach certification coordinator and a certified Scaling Up Coach. Learn More & Register for Office Hours here >
SCALING UP WORKSHOPS:
Engage your team with interactive workshops to optimize your company’s performance.
(list of workshops below)
Bengaluru/Hyderabad/India – Jan 25, 2023 (Virtual)
Madrid, Spain - Jan 26, 2023 (Virtual)
Denver, CO – Feb 2, 2023 (Virtual)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Feb 7, 2023 (In-Person)
Franklin, TN – Feb 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – Feb 9, 2023 (Verne Live In-Person)
Madrid, Spain - Feb 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – Feb 10, 2023 (In Person)
Boulder, CO – Feb 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Costa Mesa, CA – Feb. 16, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Feb 16, 2023 (Virtual)
Franklin, TN – Feb 16, 2023 (Virtual)
Barcelona, Spain – Feb 20, 2023 (Virtual)
Washington, DC – Feb 22, 2023 (In-Person)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Mar 7, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Mar 7, 2023 (In-Person)
Oxford, England – Mar 8, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Mar 14, 2023 (In-Person)
Sydney, Australia - Mar 15, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne/Sydney, Australia - Mar 16, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Mar 16, 2023 (Virtual)
Hong Kong/Singapore – Mar 22, 2023 (Virtual)
Franklin, TN – March 23, 2023 (Virtual)
Bengaluru/Hyderabad/India – Mar 29, 2023 (Virtual)
Scottsdale, Az – April 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Apr 13, 2023 (Virtual)
Grand Rapids, MI – April 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Franklin, TN – April 20, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada - May 11, 2023 (Virtual)
Franklin, TN – May 18, 2023 (Virtual)
Melbourne, Australia - Jun 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Franklin, TN – June 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Jul 6, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Aug 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Melbourne, Australia - Sept 5, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Sep 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Sep 14, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada - Oct 12, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada - Nov 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Grand Rapids, MI – Nov 9, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Nov 14, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Dec 7, 2023 (Virtual)
EDUCATION:
Growth Institute Online Executive Education:
Master of Business Dynamics
Scaling Up Master Business Course
Exponential Organizations Master Business Course
Topgrading Master Business Course
Planning to Exit?
It’s the most critical decision a business owner will make in their lifetime – and over my 40 years of helping firms, I’ve seen owners taken advantage of time and time again – leaving tens of millions on the table. You’re up against sophisticated buyers who have done hundreds of acquisitions – whereas this is often your first rodeo. And these buyers have a formula for ripping you off – and it works. Seeking help, owners find the big M&A firms, especially those specializing in your industry, are more beholden to the buyers than the sellers (they will tell you otherwise). They are not your friend in the process, just another transaction. Email me to get a white paper on what to avoid when exiting verne@scalingup.com.
Better Book Club –
What's your team reading? Increase your books read per team member. Easy, Proven, and in the Cloud at http://www.BetterBookClub.com.
Your Brand as Marketing Powerhouse with a Forbes Books Content Partnership
If you want to be “top of mind” with your audience, then you need a strategy to build your authority in your field. Investing in media services with your personal brand can help you grow your audience and distinguish you as a trusted authority because you are educating, not selling. Learn how your brand can work harder for your business with a free brand audit.
COACHING:
Does it feel as if your business has hit a wall? If you don't see a clear path forward, it's a good time to bring in a coach. All of our Scaling Up Certified Coaches™ are masters at guiding you and your leadership team through the implementation of the Scaling Up Performance. Our promise is a custom diagnostic approach from Day 1, including how we match you with a coach. We even have a team member dedicated to helping you find the perfect Scaling Up Certified Coach.™
Schedule a complimentary, personal follow-up. Or check out our FAQs. Additional questions can be sent to coaching@scalingup.com.
Did you miss previous insights? - read here
Read Verne's Insights on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SX13YI
Follow Verne on Instagram: @scalingup2.0
Connect with Verne on LinkedIn: Verne Harnish
Follow Verne on Twitter: @agilescaleup
Sign up for Verne's Weekly Insights