Philosophy
I undertake a project with a client when I understand and believe in its core value proposition and purpose and when I believe that I can add unique value. I work only on the highest value added portions of a client's issues. My sole objective is to help overcome some of the huge hurdles that startups can face.
With over 25 years of experience building business plans, developing presentations, and creating financial models for top startups I can work with you to implement critical processes. I specialize in bringing clarity to complex business models and in creating plans tailored for a sophisticated investor audience.
Along with a great product or service, a company needs great execution and teamwork. When a team, early on, forms core values that stem from an open and honest environment of mutual trust, it will inevitably produce an effective and enduring competitive advantage. Members of a leadership team simply must establish a system of working together with accountability. Repeated success leads to firm business trust with each other and thus a better working environment for all.
Many business leaders today have discovered that their ultimate success or failure was largely determined by the way they treated their partners, employees, customers and stakeholders. Companies that develop an enduring culture of trust increase opportunities for growth, productivity, profits, and job satisfaction at no cost. Establishing and implementing values as a method is inspiring to all stakeholders and will begin to establish a working base throughout the organization; creating an organizational culture that is a pleasure to work with or for. Customers want to support companies who have good culture.
With years of experience as a Silicon Valley veteran, I contend that the process of involving management in developing a good strategic plan with mission, vision and values can make the difference between a success and a failure. Strategic planning is a very important business activity for a lot of reasons. People want to work with purpose, for the mission, not the paycheck.
Strategic planning should end with objectives and a roadmap of ways to achieve those objectives. Management has a much clearer understanding of what it takes to get where they are going and what the roadblocks are. Management action plans can track progress throughout the organization and establish greater cross-functional closure, coordination, performance and accountability. It brings reality and focus.
A mission gives you the fundamental purpose of the organization. It concentrates on the present. It defines the customer and the critical processes. Vision statements outline what the organization wants to be. It is a source of inspiration. It concentrates on the future. An effective vision statement is assimilated into the culture and encourages participants to adapt their own compatible personal vision. An effective vision is in alignment with the company's values and culture. Organizations who summarize goals and objectives and disseminate them to the team can lead more effectively. Leadership comes together with a sense of purpose to:
- Evaluate the current situation – what is the problem?
- Define goals
- Map a route to the goals
- What specific actions must be taken
- Plan required resources to execute
