Essays
Building ventures past the point where the imported advice stops working.
Why Most Quarterly Goals Are Theatre
The honest test: can your team predict next quarter's goals before you announce them? If yes, the goals are not goals. They are the predictable continuation of last quarter's work, dressed up in the costume of strategic planning.
Survivorship Bias Has a Brand Problem
Why the founder stories you read are statistically the wrong ones to learn from. Survivorship bias is well-known. The brand layer that compounds it is not, and it is the reason imported founder lessons consistently fail to transfer to the contexts where they are most enthusiastically applied.
Beyond Independence: The Founder’s Stake in Zimbabwe’s Unfinished Project
Independence gave Zimbabweans a country. Building it is unfinished work, and founders carry a particular share of that responsibility. A piece for the operators who refuse to write the country off.
Storytelling as Strategy: How to Make Your Brand Unforgettable
What makes some brands unforgettable while others fade into obscurity? The answer often lies in their ability to tell a compelling story. Storytelling isn’t…
Success Stories: A constellation of projects
Gone are the days of "I'm going to be a doctor" or "I'll work for Tesla for life." My career path has always been…
The High Cost of Bad Advice: Why You Need to Be Cautious When Seeking Business Guidance
As entrepreneurs, we seek guidance from experts to help our businesses grow and succeed. However, not all experts are created equal. Some may provide…
How to Balance Swiftness and Patience in Business Development
The phrase "Don't rush the process" is a valuable piece of business advice that has helped many achieve great results in their marketing efforts.…
Observe and Succeed: How to Use Engaged Observation for Effective Marketing
In today's ever-changing business environment, it's crucial to keep up with new marketing strategies to stay ahead of the competition. Having a steady flow…
The Power of Storytelling in Marketing: How to Connect with Your Audience.
Storytelling has been a powerful tool for human communication since the dawn of time. From campfire stories to modern-day advertising, the ability to craft…
Is there any business case for human compassion?
Growing up, we were exposed through TV to the concept of Robin Hood type of superheroes who would go to the end of the…