For most of my early career, I believed Strategy was the driving force behind a business — the foundation that determined everything else. I studied it, pursued it academically, and invested thousands of hours breaking down business problems with the goal of recommending the “best” Strategy. Two decades later, my view has shifted. Not because Strategy isn't valuable — but because its value lies in places I didn’t initially expect. Below are three insights I wish I had understood earlier in my...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
One of the most overlooked challenges in scaling a business isn’t strategy, hiring, or innovation. It’s team complexity. Every time a new person joins a team, the system gets more complicated. Not because of the headcount itself, but because of the relationships that need to form and function. The Math Behind Team Complexity In any group of n people, the number of possible relationships (R) is: R = n × (n – 1) / 2 This means that relationship complexity grows geometrically, not linearly. It’s...
3 months ago • 1 min read
Small business owners wear multiple hats. Growing a business is exciting and terrifying at the same time. One common dilemma is: Do I hire more people to handle the load, or do I invest time in building processes to make my current team more efficient? The answer isn't always straightforward, but leaning toward processes first can help you boost margins without inflating payroll. I've seen this play out in both small and big operations. Here’s a simple framework to guide the decision....
4 months ago • 2 min read
Simple automations can help you systemize processes, free up time, and increase margins by reducing manual work. Let's start with one of the easiest and most impactful: standardized intake forms. What are standardized intake forms? These are consistent, structured templates designed to gather essential information from clients, leads, or customers right at the start of an interaction. Think of them as your business's front door—whether it's for service requests, product orders, consultations,...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Why “special cases” quietly destroy margins, and what to do about it Most small business owners don’t realize this, but margins rarely die from big strategic mistakes. They die from exceptions. “Can we just do this one differently?”“This client is special.”“We don’t usually do this, but…” Each exception feels harmless. Helpful, even.But collectively, they create operational drag that bleeds profit. Let’s break down why. The Hidden Cost of Exceptions In a small business, standard work is...
6 months ago • 1 min read