One of my favorite business books of 2010 was, hands down, Les McKeown’s Predictable Success.

In it he talks about the phases a business goes through, from start-up and growth through becoming stodgy and old.

I actually keep my copy on my desk so, when I’m having a bad day, I can refer back to it to see if what we’re going through is normal.

It always makes me feel better.

So, when he asked me if I’d review his latest book, The Synergist, I gave a resounding yes.

This is a leadership book, in the truest sense of the word. Even if you’re not a “leader” by definition inside your organization, but you work with others, this book is for you. Continue Reading »

If you read this blog often, you know I’m a big fan of Les McKeown and his Predictable Success. If you follow both of us on Twitter, you’d be surprised to hear me say that. He started it.

Last week he sent me a direct message on Twitter that said his blog post that day was reflective of the work I am doing as a leader. Fully expecting some mean-spirited post, I was pleasantly surprised when I found “On the Underperformance of Overachievers.”

Yes, I am an overachiever (or double type A, as I refer to myself) and, as it turns out, having that “strength” is not a good leadership trait.

Who knew? Continue Reading »

I’ve been sitting here for half an hour thinking about what would be helpful to you this week, in order to be ready to start 2011 with a bang. Craig Jarrow, of Time Management Ninja, suggests five things to do this week so your to-do list is clear by Monday. Tim Berry, founder of Palo Alto Software, has tips for dealing with holiday stress. And Les McKeown, author of “Predictable Success,” is walking you through the steps of having your business go through step growth or linear growth, depending on your goals.

All three of these are important, for both your business and personal lives (which really are one, according to Mitch Joel).

But what’s the real equation for using all of this advice, plus getting something really meaningful accomplished this week? Continue Reading »

Guest post by Les McKeown, president and CEO of Predictable Success.

Last weekend I tossed out six boxes of techno-junk. Six boxes! I’m talking BlackBerries, iPhones, old Nanos and Shuffles, computer keyboards, a Bamboo tablet, a Logitech I/O Pen (what on earth was that?), speakers, headsets, and more cables than I would need in three lifetimes – and that was in just one of the boxes.

See, I am a techno-addict (or as the gadget manufacturers call me so as to keep me guilt-free and buying their stuff, an “early adopter”). If it’s shiny and new, I’m there, usually accompanied by my good pal, “overnight shipping.”

So I was taken aback when I surveyed my newly cleared work environment on Sunday afternoon and realized how good it felt to see all that stuff…gone. I sat for a while, drinking it in, stunned by how freeing it was. It became clear that I had tied up a lot of psychic energy in my head just by having all that stuff hanging around – even if it had been jammed behind a bulging cupboard door. Continue Reading »

Did I mention we’re going to have more contests and giveaways? I think I did!

It will come as no surprise, to those of you who read Spin Sucks daily, that I am a big fan of Les McKeown and that I love his book, Predictable Success. He has been kind enough to donate 10 books to us to giveaway to you! So we bring you…The Predictable Success Contest!

But, you’re going to have to do a bit of work. We’re looking for guest bloggers who don’t necessarily already have a blog, but have been curious about what it’s like to have a community. We’re looking for guest bloggers who have something to say about business growth and are willing to share their knowledge with the Spin Sucks readers AND with Les McKeown’s readers. Continue Reading »

It won’t come as a big surprise that I love Les McKeown’s new book, ‘Predictable Success.’ A book that puts business life stages into perspective, it enables not just business owners, but also employees to manage through the tough times in order to get to the stage that every business wants – success.

The book was published on Monday and I had the opportunity to discuss some of the highlights of it with Les. My only regret is that I thought to do this interview via video Skype before yesterday so you could not only see how charismatic and charming he is in person, but also so you could hear his very cool accent. I’m buying the equipment to make that happen so soon you’ll see him live and in person! Continue Reading »

My friend Laura Scholz in Atlanta asks, “What is the most rewarding aspect of owning your own business? The most challenging?” I answer it here. But before you watch…let it be known there is a contest for a free copy of Les McKeown’s soon-to-be-published book, “Predictable Success.” Good luck!

Never have I felt so normal in the five year life of Arment Dietrich. I’m reading Les McKeown’s book, “Predictable Success” (due out in June, but you can get a copy of it electronically now), which is about the stages businesses (and their leaders) go through as they grow.

The drawing above is of the business stages Les discusses in his book, but I’d like to devote today’s blog solely on the stage he calls “fun.”

Sounds like a good stage to be in, right? Why would a business leader ever want their business to reach beyond the fun stage?  Continue Reading »