Emprise Bank’s Post

Employee number 13. One of the biggest decisions a founder makes. Here’s why. Daniel Priestley gives this fascinating analysis of the nine stages of a scaling company’s growth journey – based on analysis of data at Team Dent. 1. Startup - The initial concept and excitement of launching a new business. Working with ideas and prototypes. Finding first customers. 2. Wilderness - Early survival mode with 1-2 founders doing everything. No team, no money, no time, no freedom. 3. Struggling Boutique - Small team of 3-12 people forms but revenue per person is low. Barely profitable. 4. Lifestyle Boutique - Profitable 3-12 person team with high revenue per employee. Found it’s niche. Key person brand. 5. The Desert - Business tries to scale to 12-50 people but overheads are high and profitability suffers. At risk of running out of cash.  6. The Factory - 50-250 people but low revenue per person. Always at risk of financial cliffs with high payroll costs. 7. Performance - 50-250 person team achieving high revenue per employee. Healthy profits to hold onto or sell. 8. Unicorn - 50 people with ultra-high revenue per person. Explosive growth and valuations like Facebook. Very rare. 9. The Corporation - 250 employee corporation with assets to maintain. Risk being disrupted by more agile startups. What’s interesting in the video (10 minutes only) is when founders face that decision to go from Boutique to performance business (starting with the 13th person) i.e. to cross the desert. See how he describes the clash of cultures – too many people to sit round one table, the split into two camps, the people who want to go forward and the people who want to go back. There’s the scaling challenge right there. That’s what #investors will expect you to be able to manage, to show the way – because they weren’t looking for a lifestyle business to invest in. They were always looking for #scale and #exit. Too often they end up with a boutique or even a wilderness business. Don’t be Bear Grylls! Well worth a watch. #AngelThink #angelinvesting #angelinvestors     Rafael Guper Ludmila Milla Sara Tateno Emily Tredget (nee Pimm) Dr Nicholas Prior James Harrop Daniel Priestley Tracy Clark

So many people are asking me in my DM's about the Frog pics. I thought it would be more "obvious" but let me explain. First, I have only built startups my entire professional life. I love the zero to 10 million phase. It's the most challenging role in any company by far, but I can handle it. Second, "Kissing the frog" is a metaphor that's become popular with business strategists and best entrepreneurs. It's based on the Frog Prince fairy tale and describes the idea of persistently trying potential solutions to a problem until one is successful. When something doesn't work out, it's time to "kiss another frog" and try something else. For example, 3M scientist Art Fry, who invented Post-it notes, said, "You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince" when discussing the challenges of launching a new business. Kiss more frogs until you find the one princess/prince (scale)(solution)

🌟 Client Spotlight 🌟 My team is bursting with pride and gratitude today! A huge shoutout to our recent client, who shared some heartwarming feedback about working with 2 awesome team members: "Becky and Mandy are an absolute DREAM. The best I have EVER WORKED WITH in 8 years of entrepreneurship. They are so, SO far beyond just tech ops support…they have been strategists and emotional support and industry experts on SO many things and are honestly just too good to be true. Not only has their work been flawless, but they’ve changed/upgraded the way I see business. Plus, they have a unique talent of wrangling a visionary squirrel brain into tactical, practical plans that is magical." This is exactly why we do what we do. But we understand that not everyone can invest in full-scale, done-for-you services. And that's perfectly okay! We believe in empowering EVERY entrepreneur, regardless of where you're at on your journey. That's where TechSavvy Collective comes in! A space where you can access the expertise, ask your burning questions, and get the support you need to elevate your business with tech. It's clear from the feedback we've received - we know our stuff! Check out the TechSavvy Collective, and let's make tech and systems less of a headache and more of a heartthrob. #TechSavvyCollective #ClientLove #Entrepreneurship #JoinUs #TechSupport

“IT TAKES A MILE TO BUILD A STARTUP” I am actually tired of hearing this for the longest period of time.   I usually do not take these things seriously, but I wanted to address them now.   Okay, starting a business is definitely not the easiest job.   Finally, when you start revealing your numbers, everyone around you says, “Oh, you earn a lot." But let me clarify that to run a business, you need to do a lot of back work. You need to understand your problem, you need to understand what you are going to deliver, you need to hire your team to scale up your business, and you need to market your product in every possible way where you have to invest wisely. You have to do a lot of research on new products, you need to do legal work, you need to take up a license, and a lot more goes into investing in the business. And figuring things out in the business and bringing ideas and strategies for growth takes a lot of time to understand the market.   So, only the startup founders can know what really takes them to that stage. So next time, when you see your close ones revealing the numbers, don’t go ahead and say, “Enna jolly ah eruka pola nalla profits varuthu ennakom konjam kudu.” Rather than say, All the best, I hope you achieve a lot more for the hard work that you have put into this. Because it takes a mile for them to survive in the market amongst their competitors.     So, let’s grow together with a positive mindset. #ishwaryamgoodness #joshtalks #womeninbusiness #womenentrepreneur #struggles

As we go through this weekend of Easter, I want every business leader & deeptech entrepreneur to ask this one question. Is your competitive advantage based on a product (technology) or business model? If your competitive advantage is based on a new product or technology, you're in big trouble. That’s because products or technologies are getting easier and easier to copy. If your product or technology can easily be copied, then what should you do? The answer is: focus on your business model. That’s the next big thing entrepreneurs and corporate innovators need to consider. If from the start, you ask yourself, “How can I build a better business model?”, you won't have as much pressure to reinvent yourself later on. And there's a huge opportunity here because very few startups have traditionally thought about their business model at all. Instead, they focus on their ideas for new products and services. Happy Easter Fabrice Abunde

Did you know? The most successful businesses in today's world are not necessarily the ones with the largest budgets or the most employees — they are the ones that adapt, innovate, and understand their customers' ever-changing needs. The digital age has democratized business, offering new tools and platforms for entrepreneurs to shake things up! So, whether you're a budding startup or an established enterprise, remember that in the world of business, the only constant is change.

Stop Struggling To Build A Global Brand!! Here’s why many startups fail and how you can avoid the same fate Many entrepreneurs put their heart and soul into their business, yet many struggle, drowning in a sea of competition. The truth is most startups lack a clear strategy! Without a roadmap ⬇️ 📌 Global Dominance is impossible! 📌 Your brand remains unnoticed. 📌 Eventually, you'd join 90% of start-ups that don't make it past their first 3 years. Without a strategic approach, you risk becoming another business with potential that never emerged! Strategy positions you for success by giving you 3 things! ✅ Skills to run your enterprise ✅ Experience to make decisions. ✅ Relationships to grow your business. Still wondering how to take your startup to the next level? Connect with me here Axander Dakpe Isaac for proven strategies and insights to help your business thrive. #linkedinwithmabeldarko #businessstrategy #branding ——————— ♻️ Share with your network

Transitioning: Leaving Tech Entrepreneurship for Employment: Coping, Adjustment, and Reflection   #Entrepreneurship #Employment #TechField Hey everyone 👋 Have you ever experienced the rollercoaster of leaving entrepreneurship for employment? I come from the tech field and it was quite a painful transition for me. But I'm curious to hear about your stories and how you navigated through it all. Here are a few prompts to get the discussion going: - How did it feel to shift from owning your ow... Source: https://lnkd.in/dbsj3YHJ #mymetric360

Age is just a number. Here's another article from Entrepreneur discussing how more 'seasoned' workers succeed because they have the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to build a sustainable business, not because they a have longer runway. Did you know? The majority of startups in the U.S. are launched by people over 45? --- Join execs and late career entrepreneurs reading the Launch Key newsletter as we share modern tools, old school wisdom and free knowledge gleaned from decades of digital innovation. Sign up link in my bio Rob Norris https://entm.ag/gg01

✨ The Connective Member Spotlight – David McFarland ✨ David McFarland is the Founder and Principal Improvement Specialist at FocusOPEX, LLC and an active member of The Connective Dave is passionate about driving growth and fostering innovation, having collaborated with an array of incredible startups and established companies over the years. His experience spans diverse industries, including technology, healthcare, consumer products, and sustainable solutions, reinforcing his belief in the transformative power of innovation. 🚀 As an investor and advisor, Dave focuses on identifying groundbreaking ideas and supporting visionary entrepreneurs dedicated to making a positive impact. Through strategic guidance, capital investment, and leveraging his extensive network, Dave is committed to helping ventures succeed. 💡 Innovation is at the core of Dave’s endeavors. By staying ahead of market trends and embracing emerging technologies, he contributes to the growth of companies that are not only profitable but also create meaningful change. Looking ahead, Dave is eager to continue exploring new opportunities and forging partnerships that drive progress and sustainability. If you're working on something exciting or looking for strategic advice, feel free to connect with Dave. To learn more about David and get in touch, visit his LinkedIn: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/esSVcqrB Or, to learn more about The Connective, connect with Joe Mindak, or check us out at: https://lnkd.in/dvVzthCi. #theconnective #referralmarketing #networking #communitybuilding #businessdevelopment #relationshipsmatter