The Agile Scaleup

Cost of Loneliness; Cost of Cap; Friends at Work; Kuala Lumpur

Being humble means knowing you have more to learn.
                                                Matthew McConaughey

As capital costs rise, the value of growth relative to the value of margin improvement changes significantly.
                                                Michael Mankins

Benchmarks for Private Company Compensation – CEO, COO, CFO, VP Sales, etc
What are other firms, small and mid-market, paying their CEO, COO, CFO, VP Sales, Marketing, etc. This comprehensive report by Chief Executive magazine details compensation by position for various size firms and industries so you can get a sense of what it will cost to upgrade your executive team. For more information and to purchase.

When Capital Costs Are High, Focus on Productivity Improvement
This HBR article details how it’s critical when capital costs rise (from 6% to 10%) to switch from investing in growing revenue to growing margin. Read that again!! It’s why Netflix has announced they are not focusing on growing their subscriber base but focusing on profitability. Invest in ways that increase productivity!! Please, please, please take 2 minutes to read this article and then re-evaluate your strategies for 2023. Did I say please? Thank you, Steve Hall, for pointing me to this article.

How to Access Cash to Play Offense
This additional HBR article authored by friend Dick Price details how mid-market firms can access capital to go on the offensive. Cash is king, which you can use to acquire firms that give you economies of scale and access to technologies that drive productivity. Price shares three ways mid-market firms can hunt for funds and how to maximize your chance of getting some.

Loneliness Hugely Impacts Business Outcomes
Loneliness affects one in two in the U.S. and that’s hurting your business. Fortune’s Brainstorm Health hosted Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General who noted:

…when people feel a greater sense of connection to each other in the workplace, it positively impacts their creativity, their productivity, and actually their engagement in the workplace, which has downstream impacts on retention.

This Fortune article further details how working hybrid allows people to connect with both co-workers and family. And it notes that just because people are in the office doesn’t guarantee they are creating connections with each other. Biz leaders need to make connections happen.

Hiring Friends, Quarterly Themes, Good News Sharing
Scaling Up’s tools/ techniques greatly improve these connections – starting with the most important 5 minutes of the week where team members share good news both personally and professionally in their weekly 4D Meeting. Setting Quarterly Themes leading to celebrations and gatherings; the Daily Huddle allowing team members to share their struggles and constraints verbally (vs. via text); and encouraging employees to refer friends are additional ways to create connections. The #1 determinant of employee engagement -- if someone has a good friend at work. Find ways to make these connections – it matters greatly!

Risk of Premature Death High When Lonely – Comparable to Smoking
Business leaders have a fiduciary responsibility for the wellness of their team which drives the wellness of their firm. Note’s Dr. Murthy:

…when you actually look at the risk of premature death related to loneliness, it’s comparable to the increased risk of premature death due to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and it is greater than the risk associated with obesity…And it’s extraordinarily common. Around one in two Americans are experiencing loneliness.

Please become more aware of who in your organization is lonely. Firms used to host sports teams after work. The weekly bar-b-ques at HP were legendary. The longer monthly gathering of leaders where you spend close to a day with each other learning and taking breaks together is important.

Supporting a Charity – Powerful Way to Bond Your Team
Does your firm support a charity? I was a presenter for Petra Coaches’ virtual Summit yesterday. A Scaling Up Coaching partner, they opened with a presentation by the leader of the charity they support, Tiny Heroes. Having a common charity that engages your team in giving to others is powerful on many levels, especially if team members volunteer together to serve. Charities are also a great way to connect with influencers in your community. Just do it!!!

Scaling Up with Verne – Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Barcelona, Virtual
EO in Tokyo sold out their two-day Scaling Up workshop with me June 2 – 3 – over 240 leaders. Barcelona is a gig with the Harvard of Europe, IESE. Kuala Lumpur has some seats May 30 – 31. And join me virtually for 6 hours (3 hours each day) June 7 – 8. Invest in outlearning your competition. Review the fundamentals. Bring new people up to speed. Re-energize our tools/techniques in your firm to drive a significant increase in valuation and productivity.

Order a box of 20 Scaling Up and Mastering the Rockefeller Habits books
Want to save 50% over the price on Amazon? Get the box of 20 Scaling Up books here and the box of 20 MRH books here for less!

Become an Authority and Reduce Your Marketing Investment
Top leaders know that branding is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Becoming an authority means you and your brand are synonymous with trust and confidence. Growing brand equity translates to greater pricing power and the ability to reduce marketing costs. If you’re interested in proven strategies to help outflank your competition and grow your audience, request a free copy of Authority Marketing.

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.

EDUCATION: 
Growth Institute Online Executive Education:
Master of Business Dynamics
Scaling Up Master Business Course
Exponential Organizations Master Business Course
Topgrading Master Business Course

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 >

Planning to Exit – Critical Whitepaper
Selling your firm, for its maximum value, is the most important negotiation in which a business owner will participate. You are typically negotiating with 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, stealing tens of millions from you. Seeking help, owners discover 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). Email me to get a whitepaper on how to maximize your valuation and avoid the psychological games buyers play [email protected].

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 [email protected]

SCALING UP WORKSHOPS:
Engage your team with interactive workshops to optimize your company’s performance.
(list of workshops below)

Dallas, TX – May 3 & 4, 2023 (2 Day) (In-Person)
Madrid, Spain – May 4, 2023 (Virtual)
Denver, CO – May 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – May 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - May 11, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – May 11 & 12, 2023 (2-Day In-Person)
San Francisco, CA - May 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – May 16, 2023 (In-Person)
Barcelona, Spain – May 18, 2023 (Virtual)
Nashville, TN – May 18, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Jun 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Paris/Amsterdam/Warschau - June 13, 2023 (Virtual)
Birmingham, UK – Jun 22, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Jul 6, 2023 (Virtual)
Houston, TX – Jul 11, 2023 (In-Person)
Sydney, Australia – Jul 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Aug 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Melbourne, Australia - Sep 5, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Sep 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Sep 14, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – Oct 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Oct 12, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – Nov 2, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Nov 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Grand Rapids, MI – Nov 9, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Nov 14, 2023 (In-Person)
Dallas, TX – Dec 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Dec 7, 2023 (Virtual)

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.

Did you miss previous insights? - read here

Follow Verne on Instagram: @scalingup2.0

Connect with Verne on LinkedIn: Verne Harnish

Follow Verne on Twitter: @agilescaleup

Read Verne's Insights on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SX13YI

Sign up for Verne's Weekly Insights  


*This email newsletter may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Sam Altman 13; Steve Jobs #1; Ideal Daily Routine; Just Ask

Almost everyone I’ve ever met would be well-served by spending more time thinking about what to focus on.
                                                Sam Altman, founder OpenAI/ChatGPT

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.
                                                Benjamin Franklin

OpenAI/ChatGPT Founder’s 13 Maxims – Excellent!
OpenAI founder Sam Altman details his 13 maxims for succeeding in biz and life in this Forbes article. He raised a billion in funding in 2015; achieved 100 million active users in 2 months (Tik Tok took 9 months, Instagram over two years); and observed thousands of CEOs through his role as President of Y Combinator and CEO of Reddit (didn’t know this about him). From this, he formulated 13 maxims. Please take 3 minutes to scan the list. I list all 13 at the end of these insights, but it’s worth reading the details if you can access Forbes articles (Forbes, Fortune, and HBR subscriptions are worth it).

Steve Jobs #1 Choice in Life Separates Dreamers from Doers
One of Sam Altman’s maxims is “Be Willful” – ask for what you want (see other 12 below). This Inc. article recalls how Steve Jobs picked up the phone at age 12 and called the co-founder of Hewlett-Packard to get some parts. Notes Jobs, who later worked for Hewlett Packard:

Most people never pick up the phone and call. Most people never ask, and that's what separates the people who do things from the people who just dream about them.

Please take 1 minute to read this inspiring story – then pick up the phone (or email) a reach out to a key influencer.

All You Have to Do is Ask
The Inc. article goes on to note: Sociologist Wayne Baker from the University of Michigan wrote a book called All You Have to Do Is Ask: How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success. In his research, Baker found that the "Giver-Requester" -- a person who helps frequently and also asks for help frequently -- is the most well-regarded and also the most productive at work.

Please take 1 minute to read the Inc. piece – then pick up the pace as a “giver-requester.” And please teach this to your children.

Science-Based Daily Routine
I’m leery when people use the term “science-based” but I listened to all 45 minutes of this podcast and based on other things I’ve studied, Dr. Stuart Farrimond seems to have nailed some important insights into what is a good daily routine. He’s the author of Live Your Best Life: 219 Science-Based Reasons to Rethink Your Daily Routine. It aligns with the simple idea that “your success is the sum total of what you do more of, less of, and different every day.”

Daily Routine – Morning until Night
On the podcast Stuart discusses why waking up to an alarm clock feels so terrible (interrupts natural sleep cycles), why you shouldn’t drink coffee first thing in the morning (better one to two hours after you get up), the ideal length for an afternoon nap (15 – 20 minutes), how to improve your commute (15 minutes is ideal), the best time of day to exercise (late afternoon), and more. I picked up a dozen important ideas and the reasons behind them – like most physical performance records are set in the afternoon. Listen while commuting or exercising!!

Downside of Remote Work
Commuting over 45 minutes, each way, is damaging to your health. In turn, no commute can be as harmful! Much of Stuart’s research ties back to our Paleo days – and seems we’ve always left home to go to work (on the hunt, picking berries, or in the fields). I had offices that were a 10-minute walk away from my home – and it was helpful to separate work life from home life – and provided an important line of demarcation that is missing when you work from home.

Sam Altmans’ 13 Maxims
Warning – I’m way over summarizing – the details behind each maxim are important – hope you can read the Forbes article several times: 

1. Improve Exponentially – compound yourself; don’t get caught scaling linearly.
2. Have Almost Too Much Self-Belief – persevere because you know you’re onto something.
3. Learn to Think Independently – think from first principles and have people that challenge you.
4. Get Good at “Sales” – you have to convince others your ideas are good.
5. Make it Easy to Take Risks – keep your life cheap and flexible for as long as you can.
6. Focus – spend more time thinking what the focus should be first!
7. Work Hard – work stamina – a big predictor of success – put in the hours.
8. Be Bold – boring companies don’t spark the imagination.
9. Be Wilful – ask for what you want.
10. Be Hard to Compete With – build up leverage; be different.
11. Build a Network – of people who are “a force of nature.”
12. You Get Rich by Owning Things – equity, IP, real estate, etc.
13. Be Internally Driven – be obsessed, extreme, and perform!

Order a box of 20 Scaling Up and Mastering the Rockefeller Habits books
Want to save 50% over the price on Amazon? Get the box of 20 Scaling Up books here and the box of 20 MRH books here for less!

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.

Become an Authority and Reduce Your Marketing Investment
Top leaders know that branding is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Becoming an authority means you and your brand are synonymous with trust and confidence. Growing brand equity translates to greater pricing power and the ability to reduce marketing costs. If you’re interested in proven strategies to help outflank your competition and grow your audience, request a free copy of Authority Marketing.

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.

EDUCATION: 
Growth Institute Online Executive Education:
Master of Business Dynamics
Scaling Up Master Business Course
Exponential Organizations Master Business Course
Topgrading Master Business Course

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 >

Planning to Exit – Critical Whitepaper
Selling your firm, for its maximum value, is the most important negotiation in which a business owner will participate. You are typically negotiating with 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, stealing tens of millions from you. Seeking help, owners discover 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). Email me to get a whitepaper on how to maximize your valuation and avoid the psychological games buyers play [email protected].

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 [email protected]

SCALING UP WORKSHOPS:
Engage your team with interactive workshops to optimize your company’s performance.
(list of workshops below)

Barcelona, Spain – April 27, 2023 (Virtual)
Denver, CO - April 28, 2023 (Virtual)
Dallas, TX – May 3 & 4, 2023 (2 Day) (In-Person)
Madrid, Spain – May 4, 2023 (Virtual)
Denver, CO – May 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – May 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - May 11, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – May 11 & 12, 2023 (2-Day In-Person)
San Francisco, CA - May 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – May 16, 2023 (In-Person)
Barcelona, Spain – May 18, 2023 (Virtual)
Nashville, TN – May 18, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Jun 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Paris/Amsterdam/Warschau - June 13, 2023 (Virtual)
Birmingham, UK – Jun 22, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Jul 6, 2023 (Virtual)
Houston, TX – Jul 11, 2023 (In-Person)
Sydney, Australia – Jul 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Aug 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Melbourne, Australia - Sep 5, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Sep 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Sep 14, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – Oct 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Oct 12, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – Nov 2, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Nov 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Grand Rapids, MI – Nov 9, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Nov 14, 2023 (In-Person)
Dallas, TX – Dec 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Dec 7, 2023 (Virtual)

Did you miss previous insights? - read here

Follow Verne on Instagram: @scalingup2.0

Connect with Verne on LinkedIn: Verne Harnish

Follow Verne on Twitter: @agilescaleup

Read Verne's Insights on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SX13YI

Sign up for Verne's Weekly Insights  

*This email newsletter may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tim Cook’s Relief; Chip Conley’s Joy; Adam Grant’s Latest

Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm.
                                                Helen Keller

A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
                                                James Keller

Awaken Your Genius – Adam Grant Endorsement
Notes Adam Grant, “Ozan Varol always makes me think. His new book is laced with surprising stories and fascinating findings to help you rethink what you’re capable of.” Get this book now! And there are two truly valuable free bonuses available until Sunday – worth 100x the book. More below. Congrats Ozan, and love how you’ve animated the book cover on the book’s landing page!

The Most Meaningful Way to Succeed
Speaking of Adam Grant, his latest article is another great reminder: the best way to succeed is to help others succeed. I read everything Adam writes, author of so many #1 books!

7 Leadership and Life Lessons Mourning the Loss of His Wife
Serial entrepreneur and author Michael Maddock details in this Inc. article seven lessons learned. First, do your checkbook and calendar align with your purpose/priorities? He also shares the ultimate superhero power. Notes Michael:

…gratitude helps leaders live joyfully and fearlessly in the present.

Please take 2 minutes to scan thru his seven insightful life and leadership lessons. How did you score? Pick one a quarter to focus on over the next 18 months (One-Page Personal Plan).

Without Joy, Purpose is a Grind
Hotelier and “Modern Elder” Chip Conley named his boutique hotel company Joie de Vivre, because he wanted people to know that his company name and mission were the same: helping his employees and customers celebrate the joy of life. Fortunately, one collateral benefit to him was the daily reminder that he got into the business for the joy of it.

Chose to Sell
To continue, this is part of the reason Chip chose to sell the company after 24 years as CEO. He didn’t feel joy anymore. As he noted in a recent blog: 

Joy is the fuel of Purpose. Without Joy, Purpose is purely a grind, and we can only do that for so long.

Have You Lost the Joy for Your Business?
This is what happened to Alan Rudy, featured in “The Barriers” chapter in Scaling Up Revised. (Re)read how we helped him get the joy back with our coaching and tools – or let us help you prepare to exit for the highest valuation. Email me [email protected]

CEO/CXO -- Who is Your Modern Elder?
Chip Conley served as Airbnb’s “Modern Elder”, a term he’s coined and owns. Burger King’s new young CEO Josh Kobza has teamed up with another modern elder Patrick Doyle. This Chief Executive article details how this new team aims to overtake #2 Wendy’s. The key point? Who is your modern elder who will bring you sage wisdom and guidance? Please find one if you don’t have one!! This article nudged me to find one.

Awaken Your Genius
Former rocket scientist and bestselling author Ozan Varol’s new book AWAKEN YOUR GENIUS shares a simple guide to stop living life on autopilot, unlock your originality, and unleash your unique talents. Order the book before Sunday midnight ET and get a mini video course with 10, three-minute, bite-sized videos with life-changing insights from the book including: 

• His single best piece of advice RIGHT NOW
• The secret to stop overthinking and start doing
• A completely counterintuitive practice that the best thinkers use to generate original ideas
• The one question you can ask to identify hidden time-sucks that clutter your brain and create overwhelm
• Why you’ll never feel “on top of everything” (and what to do about it)
• The surprising strategy that the writers of The Office used to boost their creativity (it’s weird . . . but it works!)
• Why there are stupid questions (and how to ask better ones)
• Why comparing yourself to others is limiting your potential and stealing your joy (and how to stop doing it once and for all).
• 3 secrets to actually remembering what you read
• The one thing about Ozan that surprises most people

Simple Stress Relief Tip from Tim Cook
This Fortune article highlights how Tim Cook deals with the huge pressures that come with running Apple. Notes Fortune: 

Cook deliberately tries to avoid letting “the urgent” take over his day, instead setting up regular meetings with teams across the business.

When the pressure does start to ramp up, Cook employs one simple trick to clear his mind: going outside for a walk. The physical activity of walking (moving your legs back and forth) triggers a mechanism that calms you. And take a walk with someone to talk thru ideas/issues.

Order a box of 20 Scaling Up and Mastering the Rockefeller Habits books
Want to save 50% over the price on Amazon? Get the box of 20 Scaling Up books here and the box of 20 MRH books here for less!

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 [email protected]

SCALING UP WORKSHOPS:
Engage your team with interactive workshops to optimize your company’s performance.
(list of workshops below)

Auckland, New Zealand – Apr 18, 2023 (In-Person)
Boulder, CO – Apr 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Apr 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – Apr 20, 2023 (Virtual)
Barcelona, Spain – April 27, 2023 (Virtual)
Denver, CO - April 28, 2023 (Virtual)
Dallas, TX – May 3 & 4, 2023 (2 Day) (In-Person)
Denver, CO – May 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – May 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - May 11, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – May 11 & 12, 2023 (2-Day In-Person)
San Francisco, CA - May 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – May 16, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – May 18, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Jun 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Netherlands / France - June 13, 2023 (Virtual)
Birmingham, UK – Jun 22, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Jul 6, 2023 (Virtual)
Houston, TX – Jul 11, 2023 (In-Person)
Sydney, Australia – Jul 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Aug 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Melbourne, Australia - Sep 5, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Sep 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Sep 14, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – Oct 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Oct 12, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – Nov 2, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Nov 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Grand Rapids, MI – Nov 9, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Nov 14, 2023 (In-Person)
Dallas, TX – Dec 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Dec 7, 2023 (Virtual)

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.

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.

EDUCATION: 
Growth Institute Online Executive Education:
Master of Business Dynamics
Scaling Up Master Business Course
Exponential Organizations Master Business Course
Topgrading Master Business Course

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 >

Planning to Exit – Critical Whitepaper
Selling your firm, for its maximum value, is the most important negotiation in which a business owner will participate. You are typically negotiating with 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, stealing tens of millions from you. Seeking help, owners discover 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). Email me to get a whitepaper on how to maximize your valuation and avoid the psychological games buyers play [email protected].

Did you miss previous insights? - read here

Follow Verne on Instagram: @scalingup2.0

Connect with Verne on LinkedIn: Verne Harnish

Follow Verne on Twitter: @agilescaleup

Read Verne's Insights on Kindle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003SX13YI

Sign up for Verne's Weekly Insights  

*This email newsletter contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

New Book; Health Advice from Richest Ever; Best Places; Billionaire List

Companies that care for their people and prioritize their well-being…outperform.
                                                Michael Bush, CEO Great Places to Work

The planet's billionaires offer a window into what's going on in the most important industries in the world.
                                                Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes Senior Wealth Editor

Software Profit Streams
There’s a reason this $75 paperback, Software Profit Streams, released this week, has (at the time of this writing) rocketed to the #1 book in three categories on Amazon. The credibility of the authors (Luke Hohmann is a dear friend), the quality of the writing and illustrations, and the importance of the topic – how to price and license software that is sustainable. If that sounds important to you (millions if not tens of millions of dollars) then grab a copy of this book.

10 Health Habits of Richest Person Ever
Living to age 98, this article details 10 health habits of John D. Rockefeller Sr. It’s a very quick read, worth scanning the 10 rituals he followed to maintain a lean 155 lbs. (5’9” height). Chewing food thoroughly and allowing 45 minutes digestion afterwards was one of the 10. He also utilized homeopathy, which the article says has been disproven, but I’m a huge fan, carrying a homeopathy kit with me around the globe. Please take 1 minute to scan for the other 8. How many of the 10 do you practice? Thank you to Steelcase’s Bob Hendriksen for sharing.

Forbes Billionaire List
There are 2640 billionaires on the planet cumulatively worth $12.2 trillion. The top 25 represent $2.1 trillion of that, down a combined $200 billion from last year. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk took the biggest hits, losing $57 billion and $39 billion respectively. In turn, the new #1 Bernard Arnault, head of luxury goods giant LVMH, gained $53 billion putting him at the top for the first time with a net worth of $211 billion. American’s dominated the top 25 list, taking 17 of the spots, followed by France and India with two spots each. The article is worth reading to see trends. As go the billionaires goes various industries.

Fortune’s 100 Best Companies
Fortune’s list is out this week with Cisco on top for the 3^rd year in a row. Hilton came in #2 again with Atlassian (cover endorsement on Scaling Up Revised) coming in #7. Fortune noted that the employee surveys were completed before many of the firms had layoffs – so results might be radically different next year.

Record-Setting Revenue/Employee Increase
Companies on this year’s list saw a 7% year-over-year increase in revenue per employee—productivity growth that dwarfs the averages. Thus, the quote above from Michael Bush. Please read the quote again. And then see how much your revenue/employee and gross margin dollars/employee (or dollar of employee compensation) increased this past year. I’m guessing most of the Fortune 500’s gain was due to price increases.

Two of Top Ten Best Places to Work are Woman Led
Taking a paragraph directly from Fortune’s Broadstreet newsletter (written about and for women leaders): 

Ranked fourth is Wegmans Food Markets, led by Colleen Wegman, which has appeared on the list since 1998 because of the company's dedication to employee opportunity and education reimbursement. Accenture, led by CEO Julie Sweet, landed at No. 5 on the list for its new mental health programs and continued apprenticeship opportunities.

Order a box of 20 Scaling Up and Mastering the Rockefeller Habits books
Want to save 50% over the price on Amazon? Get the box of 20 Scaling Up books here and the box of 20 MRH books here for less!

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 [email protected].

SCALING UP WORKSHOPS:
Engage your team with interactive workshops to optimize your company’s performance.
(list of workshops below)

Boulder, CO - April 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Barcelona, Spain – Apr 13, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Apr 13, 2023 (Virtual)
Auckland, New Zealand – Apr 18, 2023 (In-Person)
Boulder, CO – Apr 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Apr 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – Apr 20, 2023 (Virtual)
Barcelona, Spain – April 27, 2023 (Virtual)
Denver, CO - April 28, 2023 (Virtual)
Dallas, TX – May 3 & 4, 2023 (2 Day) (In-Person)
Brisbane, Australia – May 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - May 11, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – May 11 & 12, 2023 (2-Day In-Person)
San Francisco, CA - May 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Amsterdam, The Netherlands – May 16, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – May 18, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Jun 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Nashville, TN – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Toronto, Canada – Jun 8, 2023 (Virtual)
Birmingham, UK – Jun 22, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Jul 6, 2023 (Virtual)
Houston, TX – Jul 11, 2023 (In-Person)
Sydney, Australia – Jul 20, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Aug 10, 2023 (Virtual)
Melbourne, Australia - Sep 5, 2023 (In-Person)
Grand Rapids, MI – Sep 12, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada – Sep 14, 2023 (Virtual)
Brisbane, Australia – Oct 10, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Oct 12, 2023 (Virtual)
Sydney, Australia – Nov 2, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Nov 9, 2023 (Virtual)
Grand Rapids, MI – Nov 9, 2023 (In-Person)
Melbourne, Australia - Nov 14, 2023 (In-Person)
Dallas, TX – Dec 6, 2023 (In-Person)
Toronto, Canada - Dec 7, 2023 (Virtual)

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 [email protected]

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.

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.

EDUCATION: 
Growth Institute Online Executive Education:
Master of Business Dynamics
Scaling Up Master Business Course
Exponential Organizations Master Business Course
Topgrading Master Business Course

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 >

Did you miss previous insights? - read here

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