BC LIFE
Saved by @CodyyyGardner

Why talking to your people is the most important thing you can do!

For a new acquisition, there's a general template I follow for the 1st 100 days.

The Number One point on that list is PEOPLE

I have failed this once, and succeeded once, let me share why this is most important.

 1. You are in spreadsheet mode

When working on a new acquisition you are in the numbers and in the models.

Net working capital true-up
First 6 mo cash flow
Valuation multiple
Realizable EBITDA
etc

Many new acquirers don't come out of this, and lose customers, employees, and $$
2. Verifying the Model

Post acquisition, you are verifying the model in realtime, adjusting, making sure you are good with the bank, investors, yourself.

You are checking actual expenses to see if they match.

Perhaps you are implementing a few easy cost cuts.

People!
3. Your people hold the answers.

Often the people that have been there, can will be happy to give you the scoop on

1. customers
2. service improvement ideas
3. Plant issues
4. under / over staffing
5. needs & investments

They have been there, and usually not been able to share
4. Small Window

There is a small window of time where they are:

1. looking to see if they will now have input
2. willing to speak up more boldly than normal
3. Evaluating how they feel about you
4. Earning (or losing) respect for you as an owner

You cannot miss this window!
5. Find improvements

By taking time with each employee (yes, this is time consuming, and the bet time investment you'll make in the first 6 months), you will

1. earn trust
2. earn respect
3. get ideas
4. be able to make quicker and easier change than any time in the future
6. Be One Of Them

This is also the time to show you are one of them.

@StrongpointRich has a great story here on jumping in during his first week of ownership, and as a result, getting complete buy-in from his top guy as a result.

https://t.co/23lyubRH3d

I'll share mine...
In an acquisition I was part of, I was told there was a small division of 3 guys in southern Texas, and the guy was "a real cowboy", difficult to deal with, always complaining.

I hopped on a plane and flew out to meet him!
I showed up in dress pants, white button-down, and brown dress shoes.

Jim was in jeans and boots, and didn't like me from the second I got there.

Immediately started berating me for being from NY, made a number of assumptions on my politics, my religious beliefs, and the like.
Non of this bothered me, I had a family member like this, I knew the type well.

hard on the outside, soft on the inside.

If you make it through, you are in for life.

Now I had spent the last 8 years growing warehouses in Mex and NY, I spent long hours shipping
I was not a stranger to hard work in grueling temps, but to Jim, I was a white-shirted stiff who just acquired his company.

As we spoke, the pallet of screws dropped off the forklift, boxes got crushed, parts went everywhere!
Without thinking I jumped over and started cleaning up the mess, picking up boxes, resetting the pallet, and bringing the warehouse back to order.

I think I caught them off guard...

Jim has been my ally since that day.
Here are the things Jim has helped with:

1. Told me about 5 customer opportunities that he was holding because he wasn't being paid attention to
2. Warned me of 3 unhappy customers I was able to save
3. Gave me insight into some of the shipping issues they have
Whenever there is a problem, all I have to do is call Jim and I get the on-the-ground, no BS scoop and can fix it asap because of it.

He's still a cowboy, but now we have respect for each other.

Better decisions are made more often, and I get alerted asap when there are problem
7. Allocate Resource

As you talk to the team and interact with them, you will find that people, skills, and resources are not allocated correctly.

Many small businesses just leave people where they are, and as the company grows, who does what and why doesn't make sense.
Getting to know people, allows you to see what they are, and are not good at, where they might be happier and better serve the business goals.

Talking to your people, and jumping in is crucial!
8. You must have time!

I have heard new owners say "I don't have time", or
"I can't possibly talk to everyone"

You cant possibly not. You've got one shot at this, a small window, learn everything you can!
I call this the Gemba+.

Walking the floor isn't enough, get involved.

As @BrentBeshore says, load the trucks.
https://t.co/e6pgzPkruv

You need to learn, understand, give back, and be part of the operations - not just measuring them on a spreadsheet.

More from Life

Pat Walls
Pat Walls
@thepatwalls
If you have less revenue/growth/success than you wish you had, then the best thing you can do is OWN IT.

Write a tweet, tell your friends, and move on.

Once you own it, you fix it.

99% of people on Twitter/social media/internet won't do this.

Being radically transparent and honest is a competitive (and life) advantage.

From @RayDalio's Principles:


My new product has 14 users and <$400 monthly revenue. I've spent the last 4 months on it.

I'm going through a lot of pain to validate and grow it.

But if anyone asks me how it's going I will tell them exactly that.

If I asked them, I would hope they would give me the raw truth as well. Truth builds trust.

I think that goes for your internet audience as well. Authenticity is attractive.

I see this with @starter_story all the time - people don't want to share their revenue yet because they don't have any, or it's not high enough (not all cases but often).

I wish I could tell them that getting the cat out of the bag would actually fix the problem itself!!
LIFE
Billy Bostickson \U0001f3f4\U0001f441&\U0001f441 \U0001f193
Billy Bostickson 🏴👁&👁 ...
@BillyBostickson
!. Simple Sabotage Tips
Unhappy with Everyday Life?
Frothing at the Mouth against oppressive bureaucracy?
Sick of petty tyrants and tin pot dictators?
Tormented by intrusive modern technology?
Feel like "sticking it to the man"?


2. The following is taken from sections 11,12 of the OSS's Simple Sabotage Field Manual, a 1944 document that has been declassified. The OSS became the CIA after WWII. The full document is

3. (a) Organizations and Conferences
Insist on doing everything through "channels." Never permit short-cuts to be taken in order to, expedite decisions.

4. Make "speeches." Talk as frequently as possible and at great length. Illustrate your "points" by long anecdotes and accounts of personal experiences.
Never hesitate to make a few appropriate "patriotic" comments.

5. When possible, refer all matters to committees, for "further study & consideration"
make the committees as large as possible - never less than 5
- Bring up irrelevant issues as frequently as possible
- Haggle over precise wordings of communications, minutes, resolutions
LIFE
Advertisement
Nick Huber
Nick Huber
@sweatystartup
How to get smarter very fast:

Interact with smart people here on Twitter who have different world-views than you do.

And let them change your mind on something.

Here are the 30 people you should follow (along with my favorite tweet from each)👇👇

Twitter can be terrible if you follow negative people.

It can also be more valuable than a college degree if you follow (and network with) the right people.

You get to look right into their brain and read a daily narrative of HOW they think.

Ok lets go:

#1: @ShaanVP

You know he's all about venture capital based entrepreneurship. I'm about small (non-sexy) business. We disagree on a lot of stuff.

But he's done it and he's won. Bonus follow: @theSamParr (@myfirstmilpod podcast


#2: @fortworthchris

He is where I want to be in 15 years. Has built a massive real estate private equity firm from the ground up. Super grounded with what the way he does business and his podcast @theFORTpodcast is top


#3: @Julian

I'm a scattered thinker and procrastinator.

Julian is a master of clear thinking and simple but effective writing. A world class example of content marketing and
ALL , LIFE
Luke Button
Luke Button
@iamlukebutton
This month I’m turning 22.

To celebrate, here are the 22 best threads I’ve found on Twitter this year.

Mostly about:

•Life/purpose
•Startups
•Entrepreneurs
•Writing
•Clarity of thought

If I see more interesting threads, I will add to this list.

Enjoy!

1. @ryanstephens: Need tips on growing a newsletter, mastering Twitter, writing online?

@ryanstephens breaks down a podcast discussion between @davidperell and @nathanbarry

Here’s what you can


2. @jackbutcher: How to separate your time from your income

•Explore the market
•Build equity
•Build products and services
•Scale your reputation
•Break the matrix

A fantastic thread complete with helpful


3. @AlexAndBooks_: I love to read.

Here is a great thread on 10 fantastic books.

Includes a short summary of each.

Don’t just take it from me, this is straight from the legend: @AlexAndBooks_


4. @m_franceschetti My biggest revelation in 2020 was the importance of sleep.

Here, @m_franceschetti founder of @eightsleep gives us his eight sleep hacks to improve sleep for 2021.

Do these and your productivity will
LIFE
Mona Eltahawy
Mona Eltahawy
@monaeltahawy
Three years ago today, I was icing my knuckles because I’d beaten the fuck out of a man who had groped me in a club a couple of nights before. I wrote about it in my new essay https://t.co/SqzluTtJKb 📷 @rerutled #IBeatMyAssaulter


After I explained to a club manager what had happened, he ooked at my Beloved and asked me “Why didn’t you let your husband take care of it?” I almost beat him up too.

“First of all, he’s not my husband. Also, this is my body, I take care of it.”

Patriarchy enables and protects men who sexually assault women, and it demands that only other men “protect” us.

As long as we obey and behave in ways it approves of, of course. Protection is conditional.Because if we disobey, ha! I don't want to be protected. I want to be free

I started #IBeatMyAssaulter and women from around the world shared stories.

Five days earlier, I had started #MosqueMeToo to talk about being sexually assaulted during pilgrimage and women from around the world shared stories 🎥 @rerutled


And between the two #, men were showing me how easily the goal posts can move.

Under #MosqueMeToo men asked me, “Why didn’t you make more of a fuss?” Under #IBeatMyAssaulter men said, “You made too much of a fuss. You were too violent. Don’t you think you overreacted?”
LIFE

You May Also Like

Jaya_Upadhyaya
Jaya_Upadhyaya
@Jayalko1
BANASHANKARI AMMA, NEAR BADAMI (KAR)
#bharatmandir #navratri2021

Originally built by Chalukyas in 7th century. Devi Banashankari was their family deity. This image of Banashankari Amma was installed by Jagadekamalla I in 630 AD.

Later renovations were done by Marathas.


Once, a demon Durgamasur was troubling the people of this area. Answering the prayers of Devas, Ma Parvati emerged from the yajna fire as Banashankari and killed Durgamasur.
This area has rich forests of coconut, betel nut and other trees.
@GunduHuDuGa


It is said that during a severe famine, Devi provided vegetables and fruits to the people of this area.
Hence, she is also worshipped here as Shakambhari.
In the annual festival called Banashankari jatre, a Rath yatra takes place and Devi moves around the city in the chariot.
ALL
Suchi Sharma
Suchi Sharma
@Suchi_sharma_
Yantrodharaka Anjaneya Temple, Hampi, Karnataka.

This temple dedicated to pawanputra Hanuman, near the banks of Tungabhadra river was built by dwaita philosopher and rajguru of the Vijayanagar empire, Sri Vyasaraja around +500 years ago.


:It is only in this temple that Hanuman appears in a prayer position. In this image, Bhagwan Hanuman’s crown has been formed by his tail.12 monkeys have been carved around this amulet.


:They represent the 12 days Sri Vyasaraja prayed to Hanuman ji. Each monkey holds the tail of the monkey in front of him but is facing backward. Seed syllables have also been carved around the amulet.


:It is believed that Sri Vyasaraja used to draw a picture of lord Hanuman here on the rocks before offering prayers using charcoal and the sketch disappeared after prayers.This incidence happened for 12 days in a row until he pleaded to bhagwan to appear in front of him.


On the 12th day, Hanuman ji appeared in front of Sri Vyasaraja and blessed him. Hanuman asked Sri Vyasaraja to constrain him in a hexagonal amulet & install him in that place.
ALL
Advertisement
Jaya_Upadhyaya
Jaya_Upadhyaya
@Jayalko1
WHO ARE VALAKHILYAS?

Valakhilyas are 60000 Rishis who are thumb-sized. They were born to Kratu and Kriya. Rig Veda says that they sprang from the hairs of Brahma.
They move in front of Surya dev’s chariot as Sun moves daily and
shine like brilliant lights due to severe tapasya.


Tamil literature says that the main task of Valakhilyas is to prevent human beings from being scorched. They absorb the excess heat from the sun by travelling in front of him. They, in turn, get energy from Skanda and Ma Durga. The food of Valakhilyas is only wind.
@SriRamya21


Once, Rishi Kashyap performed a yagna and invited all the Devas and Rishis to help him. Indra brought a whole mountain of trees for firewood. The Valakhilyas were hardly able to lift anything but leaves. Even when they were moving leaves, they fell into rain water puddles.


Indra made fun of them. So they cursed Indra saying that his slayer would be born as the son of Kashyapa. When Indra apologized, they modified the curse that the son shall be initially an enemy of Indra, but later will become his friend.


This son born later to Kashyapa was Garuda. He flew to Indraloka to get Amrita and defeated Indra.
Later, he restored amrit vessel to Indra and was honoured as the King of birds and as the mount of Sri Vishnu.
@JumbuTweeple @artist_rama
ALL
Karol296
Karol296
@Karol296
Wracając do sedna dzisiejszego zamieszania z artykułem autosportu / motorsportu. Kubica mówi w nim, że podejmie swoją decyzję w ciągu kilku dni. Rozważa opcję z Williamsem lub posadę kierowcy symulatora w Ferrari. Więc za kilka dni dowiemy się co go czeka za rok. #F1PL

Autosport / motorsport zmienił nagłówek swoje tekstu, bo pierwotnie sugerował on że Kubica jest numerem jeden na liście Williamsa na tytuł mówiący tylko tym, że nadal jest na liście kandydatów. Zrobili to po interwencji zespołu. Same wypowiedzi Kubicy z wywiadu się nie zmieniły.

Trudno powiedzieć czy autor się pośpieszył i wyciągnął inne wnioski niż powinien, a może wie coś więcej, ale nie mógł tego otwarcie napisać. Słowa Kubicy brzmią jednak jednoznacznie: decyzję podejmie w ciągu kilku dni.
SPORT
Pulp Librarian
Pulp Librarian
@PulpLibrarian
Due to the pandemic you may not have visited your local library in a while. So come with me on a virtual library tour, courtesy of stock photography, to see what we do for a living...


Libraries are of course information resource centres, but in many ways they are so much more. To get the best out of them you need to really know your way around the stacks.


The enquiries desk is normally your first stop in a library, and this is where you will meet The Angry Librarian! Why is she angry? Because you keep asking her stupid questions!


"Are you open?"
"Do you have a toilet?"
"That chair's wobbly!"
"Why isn't it available in audiobook?"
"Someone else is on the computer and that's not fair!"

On and on it goes...


And that's why in the library we insist on silence. It's the only way to stop us swearing at all the idiotic things you ask us. And we've looked up a lot of old swear words: beardsplitter, bescumber, rantallion, smellfungus etc. We're such muckspouts...
ALL