A Smart Bear: On Scaling

Even Facebook and Slack did not grow “exponentially,” as frequently described. Here is the correct model that you can use to understand and affect growth. —March 2022 | 5,600 words.

The two main business modalities are more different than you expect. When you hit PMF, it’s a culture-shift to switch from one to the other. —January 2025 | 2,600 words.

These forces make larger companies slower and more difficult to execute, but also more effective when harnessed and leveraged. —September 2023 | 4,200 words.

A simple workshop that evaluates new business ideas relative to your existing strengths – the key to expanding without overreaching. —May 2024 | 2,400 words.

When to prioritize individual autonomy, and when to standardize for global optimization. —August 2024 | 2,200 words.

On average, you’re halfway to your final destination. How, then, do we not only double from here, but 10x? —November 2014 | 1,100 words.

Brittleness is when the company fails because just one component breaks. Learn some strategies for fixing Brittle Points. —December 2024 | 1,700 words.

Stop talking past each other. Translate between the three “languages” of customer desires, product features, and business goals. —May 2024 | 1,500 words.

Traditional fairytale structure fits naturally in our brains, and thus can guide strategic problem-analysis, and a plan that everyone understands. —November 2023 | 4,100 words.

What if your tech company has peaked? Is relentless growth the only path, or is it time to redefine your true impact on the world? —October 2016 | 600 words.

Software doesn’t scale through architecture and automation alone. New, more difficult problems appear that didn’t exist before, causing new downstream consequences. —January 2014 | 1,100 words.

What can’t be solved with money, are the most valuable things. —March 2011 | 1,000 words.