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Strategy Narrative
Strategy is about inspiring others to take action. A helpful way to craft your strategy narrative is by breaking it into five elements: Reflection, Ambition, Jeopardy, Hope and Solution. This structure helps bring clarity. I learned this approach from Strategy Needs Good Words.
Reflection: Where We Are Today
Start by grounding the narrative in our current reality. This is about recognising where we stand - our strengths, weaknesses and the challenges we face. It gives us the context to understand why change is needed.
Ambition: The Tomorrow We Could Have
Paint a picture of the future we aspire to. This is the vision of success - what things could look like if we overcome today's challenges. It's designed to inspire and motivate, showing what's possible and giving us a clear direction.
Jeopardy: The Challenge We Must Overcome
But here's the thing: staying where we are isn't an option. The challenges we're facing are holding us back. While these obstacles can be overcome, they won't disappear on their own. If we don't take action, they'll only grow, leaving us stuck in a cycle where potential is wasted and progress grinds to a halt.
Hope: The Insight That Gives Us a Way Through
What gives us confidence is this: we know what needs to be done. The path forward isn't hidden - it's clear. Our team has the skills and we've pinpointed the adjustments that can spark new momentum. It's about building on what's working, letting go of what isn't and committing to a sharper, more focused approach.
Solution: The Idea That Unlocks This
The solution is action. We need a clear plan - starting now - that tackles our sticking points directly. With a focused strategy and the determination to see it through, we can bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be. That gap isn't as wide as it seems and this is how we'll close it. -
Visited Odawara Castle this afternoon - a place steeped in history. Once the base of the Hojo Clan, it grew into one of the region's most formidable fortresses. At its height, the castle town was protected by an incredible 9-kilometre moat and earthen walls. Sadly, much of it was destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923.
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Dec 7, 2024
Think Like a Farmer
I can't recall where I found this picture, but it's such an interesting analogy. Leadership is like farming - nurture the right conditions and growth will follow.
That said, sometimes you end up with the wrong crops or weeds mistaken for crops and it's just as important to weed those out.
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Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora
The entrance of Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora - a traditional Japanese rickshaw with its vibrant red upholstery adds a touch of tradition.
A vintage-style wall phone with rotary dial.
Our room comes with a private Japanese onsen (hot spring).
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Today we visited Lake Ashi (Onshi-Hakone Park), a stunning crater lake in Hakone known for its natural beauty and breathtaking views.
Lake Ashi was formed around 3,000 years ago after a volcanic eruption of Mount Hakone. It's also famous for its sightseeing cruises, where pirate-themed boats take visitors across the lake for a fun, scenic experience. We skipped the cruise this time - it was a bit chilly at 7°C and windy!
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Last night, we enjoyed a Japanese onsen (hot springs) at Hotel Indigo in Hakone. This area has been a popular onsen destination since the Nara Period (710–794), drawing travellers, monks, samurai - and now us 🙈 - for its therapeutic waters.
Fun fact: Japan has over 27,000 natural hot springs, making it one of the most geothermal-rich countries in the world!
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Takeaways: How a great founder becomes a great CEO
Key takeaways from Lenny's podcast: "How a great founder becomes a great CEO | Jonathan Lowenhar"
Most founders struggle to make this distinction. The instincts and drive that help you launch a business aren't enough to scale it. That's why the best leaders lean into building the craft of being a CEO.
Here's what I learned about how founders can do just that:
Trust your intuition - but only when it's quiet.That “quiet voice” inside you often know... read more -
We found this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant (Yokohama abura soba in Tokyo) - seats a max of 8 people - with authentic Japanese food. It was absolutely delicious.
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Dec 5, 2024
A Return to Old-School Blogging
🎯 I launched the "Timeline" while on holiday in Japan and it feels amazing to embrace that old-school blogging vibe again.
While my wife was shopping at Gotemba Premium Outlets, I lost track of her for about three hours (expected). After 20 minutes of wandering the endless shops, I grabbed my laptop, found a café and ended up coding something I'd been wanting to create for ages but could never quite define.
Here's the context: I can't stand soci... read more -
The magnificent Mount Fuji (3,776m) - Japan's tallest mountain. Though it last erupted in 1708, it is still classified as an active volcano.
We were lucky to enjoy clear skies two days in a row!
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Dec 5, 2024
I launched the "Timeline" while on holiday in Japan.
Here's why: A Return to Old-School Blogging -
Dec 3, 2024
The Most Important Skill for Product Managers
As my product management career has progressed, my perspective on the most important skill has changed. Early on, I thought it was all about speed - getting things done fast. Later, I believed strategy was the ultimate priority. But now, I'm increasingly convinced that the most important skill for a PM is clarity - and the key to achieving clarity is strong communication.
It doesn't matter how brilliant your product strategy is or how strong your... read more -
I went for a scenic run around the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo - a 5-kilometre loop encircling the grounds. The path follows the palace's moat, offering views of historic stone walls and traditional bridges. So good!
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Takeaways: Identify your bullseye customer in one day
Key takeaways from Lenny's podcast: "Identify your bullseye customer in one day | Michael Margolis"
That's the promise of the Bullseye Customer Sprint, a framework shared by Michael Margolis (UX Research Partner at GV). It's all about focusing on the right customer at the start of your journey - avoiding wasted effort and accelerating clarity for your team.
Instead of chasing broad customer profiles, Margolis advises narrowing down to a small, sp... read more -
Everything feels small in Tokyo - apartment blocks, windows, balconies, even doors. It's so tiny that in some places, I don't quite fit!
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Culture is shaped by the people within it. Sometimes, one person is all it takes to spark positive change.
An employee who offers genuine encouragement, lends a hand to solve a problem or suggests small but meaningful improvements can transform a team's energy - one action at a time.
This is the quiet yet powerful force of influence.
Amplify their voices.
Support them.
Elevate them.
Let their impact ripple further.
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Nov 27, 2024
Cold email campaigns: The secret growth lever for startups
1. Why cold outbound is such a game-changer.Direct access to decision-makers. Unlike ads or social posts, a well-crafted email goes straight to the inbox of your ideal contact - no gatekeepers.High ROI potential. A single person with a laptop can create millions in pipeline, as seen with campaigns that booked 23 meetings worth $230k in pipeline in just 4 weeks.Timeless appeal of email. Amidst internet noise, email remains a sacred space for genu... read more -
Silos.
Break them whenever you see them.
Silos keep teams from seeing the whole market picture.
Silos risk losing sight of the customer, prioritising internal goals and creating a fragmented experience.
Silos slow everything down - teams hold onto information, delaying solutions.
Silos leave teams blind to risks outside their scope. -
Expertise vs open-mindedness.
Sometimes it's hard to tell if someone's perspective is genuinely the best approach or if they're just anchored in familiar thinking. What if they don't even know what “awesome” could look like?
On the other hand, knowing when to hold your ground versus when to let things go can be even trickier. What if I don't know what “awesome” feels like and am just comfortable with my usual approach? -
Nov 13, 2024
Expertise vs open-mindedness
You know that feeling when you see someone's approach and think “This is a mess - it could be so much better”?
You start wondering why. Are they just stuck in old habits? Do they not know there are other options? Or do they know - and choose not to use them?
What if they don't even know what “awesome” could look like? If only they could experience it, maybe they'd never go back to the old way.
But then, when someone suggests an improvement to me... read more
