Chief’s Post

Founders & entrepreneurs - sign-up for this exciting worksession and supercharge your next phase of growth. #scaleups #strategy #practicaladvice #futureproof

Founders and entrepreneurs - Can you see around the corner? Supercharge your next phase of growth - an introductory session to scaling with Rockface. As the CEO / Founder of a fast-growing scaleup, how can you ensure growth continues at the rate you (and your investors) expect? As businesses scale, there are 5 well-documented and preventable crises that are likely to occur. Any one of these may put your venture at risk. This is alarming news, but with awareness and some preparation you’ll beat the odds. Passion and purpose will get you so far - planning and preparation will take you further. Can you see around the corner? No doubt there are all kinds of operational challenges that keep you awake at night – but typically the ‘big 5’ strategic ones, don’t receive enough consideration. Suffering these 5 predictable crises is optional, not obligatory! You are invited to join a select group for an immersive, practical work session to discuss these crises, and the relevance to your business. This is a sample slice of our broader program- an introduction to the work we do and how we do it. Rockface workshop leaders Dr Dean Blomson Dean comes from a long consulting career as a senior partner and strategic adviser in international consulting firms. He has also worked with scaleups - he chairs two advisory boards - and is passionate about contributing pragmatic advice on how to improve their chances of success. He runs his own strategy advisory firm, focusing on mid-sized listed and unlisted enterprises; and loves advising also to 'scrappy' scaleups. Dean is also a specialist in M&A, transformation and governance. Adrienne Bateup-Carlson Adrienne is a leading brand strategy executive, founder of a successful independent brand agency and senior executive with the world's largest agencies. These include being a regional director at Imagination Asia, and Executive Vice President Interpublic Group based in Beijing for a number of years. She has developed brand strategy and led teams to create and deliver iconic global and local brand campaigns. Adrienne loves working with founders and smart scaleups. Limited to 15 CEOs / Founders To qualify, apply now and receive the bespoke growth crisis diagnostic. https://lnkd.in/eWAZE3p2. #superchargegrowth #growthscaling #entrepreneurs #founder

One thing I've noticed as a founder, is that there's an unspoken challenge that rarely takes center stage in conversations about entrepreneurship. It's not the quest for funding, nor is it the hunt for the perfect co-founder. It's something far more personal and pervasive. The ego. Let me explain. The ego is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it fuels us with the courage to pitch to investors, captivates our teams, and drives us forward with relentless motivation. It's the spark behind the "crazy ones" who believe they can change the world—and often do. Yet, this same ego can be our greatest adversary. It sets the stage for unrealistic expectations, fosters comparisons, and brews frustration. It's a constant battle, one that's tough and, frankly, not discussed enough. Being a founder is living a life of extremes. You're either on top of the world or buried beneath it, with little room for the middle ground. But is this just the nature of striving for "outsized returns"? Admitting the struggle seems almost like conceding defeat, which is why many founders refrain from being vulnerable. This dichotomy - the ego as both a catalyst for success and a potential downfall - is perhaps one of the major paradoxes founders face yet rarely discuss. And it begs the question: How can we balance this delicate scale? Answering that question might just be the most crucial step we take towards not just being better leaders, but happier and more fulfilled individuals in this entrepreneurial journey.

Founders and entrepreneurs - Can you see around the corner? Supercharge your next phase of growth - an introductory session to scaling with Rockface. As the CEO / Founder of a fast-growing scaleup, how can you ensure growth continues at the rate you (and your investors) expect? As businesses scale, there are 5 well-documented and preventable crises that are likely to occur. Any one of these may put your venture at risk. This is alarming news, but with awareness and some preparation you’ll beat the odds. Passion and purpose will get you so far - planning and preparation will take you further. Can you see around the corner? No doubt there are all kinds of operational challenges that keep you awake at night – but typically the ‘big 5’ strategic ones, don’t receive enough consideration. Suffering these 5 predictable crises is optional, not obligatory! You are invited to join a select group for an immersive, practical work session to discuss these crises, and the relevance to your business. This is a sample slice of our broader program- an introduction to the work we do and how we do it. Rockface workshop leaders Dr Dean Blomson Dean comes from a long consulting career as a senior partner and strategic adviser in international consulting firms. He has also worked with scaleups - he chairs two advisory boards - and is passionate about contributing pragmatic advice on how to improve their chances of success. He runs his own strategy advisory firm, focusing on mid-sized listed and unlisted enterprises; and loves advising also to 'scrappy' scaleups. Dean is also a specialist in M&A, transformation and governance. Adrienne Bateup-Carlson Adrienne is a leading brand strategy executive, founder of a successful independent brand agency and senior executive with the world's largest agencies. These include being a regional director at Imagination Asia, and Executive Vice President Interpublic Group based in Beijing for a number of years. She has developed brand strategy and led teams to create and deliver iconic global and local brand campaigns. Adrienne loves working with founders and smart scaleups. Limited to 15 CEOs / Founders To qualify, apply now and receive the bespoke growth crisis diagnostic. https://lnkd.in/gXgWNRjj. #superchargegrowth #growthscaling #entrepreneurs #founder

Are you a CEO or leader in a scale up, yet it feels like you are a firefighter 🧑🚒? If you would prefer to avoid 5 raging fires then this session is for you!🧯

Did you ever leave a store wondering how friendly the owner was? If yes, that shows how crucial a founder's personality can be for a startup's future. Statistics show that 4 out of 10 failed startups falter due to a mismatch between the founder's personality and the demands of their role. Research suggests that certain types of personalities tend to thrive: ➤ The Mountaineers: Adventurous and ready to tackle challenges head-on. ➤ The Star Cast: Natural leaders who attract attention and inspire others. ➤ The 'Let’s Party on Monday' People: Energetic and outgoing individuals who bring enthusiasm to everything they do. These personalities often radiate confidence, passion, and unwavering commitment, traits that resonate positively with potential customers and investors. Conversely, founders who struggle to connect emotionally or seem inconsistent may find it harder to build trust and secure opportunities. The takeaway? → Build a team with diverse personalities to bring innovation. → Complementary personalities can drive creativity and sustainable growth. #Founderpersonality #Startupculture #Leadershipqualities #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

From Adding ‘Founder’ to Becoming a True Founder ✅ In today’s entrepreneurial landscape, everyone seems to be a “Founder” or “Co-Founder.” But just adding “Founder” to your name doesn’t make you a true founder. Being a founder is not just about starting a company; it’s about vision, resilience, and relentless execution. It’s easy to claim the title, but hard to live up to its responsibilities. True founders are innovators. They identify real problems and develop solutions that can transform industries. It’s about more than just creating a product; it’s about making a meaningful impact. The journey from simply adding “Founder” to your title to truly becoming one is filled with challenges and setbacks. Staying committed through tough times, pivoting when necessary, and constantly driving the business forward are the hallmarks of a true founder. True founders always think long-term and plan beyond immediate success. Their goal is to build a sustainable and stable business that grows over time. Successful founders build and inspire strong teams. They create an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. To truly be a founder, one must possess leadership qualities that inspire the team toward a shared vision. Additionally, true founders understand and prioritize their customers’ needs. They take feedback positively and continuously strive to improve their products and services. Finally, a true founder aims to make a positive impact on society. They focus not only on the success of their business but also understand their responsibility toward the community and the environment. The journey from merely using the title “Founder” to becoming a genuine one requires a distinct vision, hard work, leadership, and commitment to society. It’s essential to work genuinely and realize your vision to truly earn the title. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Innovation #TrueFounder #BusinessGrowth #CustomerFocus #TeamBuilding #LongTermVision #SocialResponsibility

The best-kept secret of successful founders: They don’t operate in ‘founder mode’ or ‘manager mode’—they’re in ‘do-what-you-love mode.’ There’s been much debate lately about whether founders should stick to "founder mode" or "manager mode" as their companies grow. Paul Graham’s take is that founders should stay in the creative flow of founder mode for as long as possible. I respect Graham deeply, but there’s a flaw in this thinking. Entrepreneurs do what they do and the way they do it because they’re madly passionate about it. You see, it’s not a job for us - it’s an obsession that consumes our every waking (and non-waking) hour. We throw excessive amounts of money, passion, and love into it - while the odds for success don’t exactly lie in our favor. But it’s this blind passion and drive that makes founders effective. For us, building a company isn’t a robotic mode you can switch on and off —it’s a passion that fuels everything we do. The best founders operate in a space where they enjoy what they’re doing. Forcing someone to adopt a mode they don’t align with isn’t just unproductive—it’s ineffective. One needs to look at the biggest successes and failures in business, and you’ll see their founders don’t follow a set ‘mode’. Nvidia for example —'founder mode' helped it soar to new heights, but the same approach contributed to a $300 billion loss on September 4, 2024 - the largest single-day write-off in Wall Street history. Success—and failure—can come from any mode. And to Graham’s point - when founders are forced by shareholders to switch ‘modes’ - failure should be attributed to having their wings clipped and not so much to what mode they switched to. My point is that leadership isn’t a formula or a ‘mode’ - leadership is personal. What drives you forward is what will make your company thrive. So don’t get too caught up in the "founder vs. manager mode" debate. Your best mode is the one you enjoy. Stick to it. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #PaulGraham

Great post! The impact of a founder's personality on a startup's success cannot be overstated. It's fascinating how different personality types bring unique strengths to the table. Building a diverse team with complementary traits is indeed key to fostering innovation and sustainable growth. Thanks for sharing these insights!

Are you entering entrepreneurship to build a company or just another job? Consider whether your current path might trap you without an exit strategy. It's crucial to think long-term, even when starting. 🔍 Envision the future of your venture. Surround yourself with trustworthy individuals dedicated to your goals. They're instrumental in turning your dreams into reality. 💡 Hiring isn’t merely a choice; it's an investment in your vision. Choose wisely, as your team will be pivotal in driving your company's growth. ❓ Question to ponder: Are you assembling a team that shares your passion and commitment, setting the stage for your company's independent success? #EntrepreneurshipJourney #LongTermVision #TeamBuildingSuccess