Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face

I'm not usually one for looking backwards. I seem to remember an analogy of comparing the size of a windscreen with a rear-view mirror. That's the ration youj should look forwards or backwards. The downside of that is you seldom stop to appreciate what you have learned and achieved. I try these days to spend a little more time in reflection. Just a little. Smell the roses.

It is good to remember that the press, social media, and the doomsayers all focus on the negatives and challenges. The media know fear and misery sell. The doomsayers are just too scared to get off their arses and try to do something. It's easier to tear down than build, it's easier to moan than to act. I've no time for negative people (negheads). Nothing sucks the energy or life out of you like a negative person. Avoid them at all costs. That's not to say you should be blindly optimistic of course. A dose of realism is vital. Like a splash of milk in a great coffee. I digress. My point is that 2023 was filled by so many positives, despite being challenging in many ways, especially for founders looking to raise capital in the second half of the year. But many deals did get done. Many cleantech companies achieved so much. We worked with a good many of them at Hyperion. From small A-Rounds to Unicorns, we made some great placements.

I'm super proud of my team at Hyperion. We grew our revenues, we made some big impacts. We threw axes and bonded at our quarterly offsites. We helped clients hire in many countries. I think we're up to 15 countries that we've hired in now. With a particular focus this year in Germany, Netherlands, France and the UK, but elsewhere too.

So what does 2024 have in store for us all? This is not a soothsayer post, I'm sure there will be plenty enough of them on Linked In. I do genuinely expect it to be a great one. Hyperion turns 10 years old, so we'll have at least one celebration!

Like many of you, I use the Christmas period to plan, as well at to rest. It's important to have goals. It's important to have a plan. But as Mike Tyson said, 'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face'. I expect a good year, with many highlights, but also know there may be a punch in the face or two. I've always tried to live by the mantra 'control the controlables'. You can't control economies, interest rates, the competition, politicians or the weather. But you can control how you show up every day. How you chose to face those twin imposters of triumph and failure.

As a CEO I see my main responsibility to hire great people, empower them, and to create an outstanding positive team culture. If you have those two things, you can deal with pretty much any punch in the face that may come your way. Talent and team are everything. That is why we exist. It is great people in great companies that will give us the best chance of dealing with the climate change that is happening, and coming, and to try to head of the worst of what is possible. I'm so, so proud of some of the client logo's on our roster. Together we make a real impact.

There will certainly be challenges in 2024. Even more reason to get the right people on your bus. Get rid of the negative people in your Company and your life. Embrace success and failure, embrace challenge, embrace empathy and transparency. Show up with positive energy every day. Control the controlables. Surround yourself with good people. Not rocket science, or battery chemistry, but easier said than done.

For now, make the most of whatever days off you have over the Christmas period.

We'll be building our team again in 2024. If you plan to, we'd love to help.

Here is to a fantastic 2024 to one and all (in cleantech).

David