Brian de Haaff's Blog, page 17

The Founder’s Paradox: How to Start a Company When the Time Never Seems Right

“What is holding you back?” That is the question I asked a job candidate who shared that they wanted to eventually start their own company. Their response was that “the timing is not right.” This is an understandable answer — one I have heard a lot from aspiring founders. I understand. But I often disagree.

Consider the following fact: There is never a right time to start a company — there is only a must time.

Let me explain. This “must time” comes when starting and running your own business...

The Chief Product Officer vs. the Chief Technology Officer

Products matter. And that is why more and more companies are adding executives who are specifically focused on those products and the technology needed to ensure customer love. But as we keep adding leaders to the executive suite, there is naturally more overlap in duties. More role confusion too. So, it is worth taking a look at the difference between two related but distinct positions: Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

The CPO and CTO share the same goal as mos...

How to Build a Digital Transformation Roadmap

There is a specific type of person who gets excited about looking ahead — far ahead. The type of person who enjoys challenging what is known to be true today. Big enterprise transformations require that type of forward-thinker.

Since you are reading this, you might be a product or company builder with this very mindset. But if major change concerns you, let me tell you something that might give you courage and maybe even a thrill. Leading an enterprise transformation is like being two superh...

You Are Not an Office Cliche

Please, no more cliches. These well-worn sayings hurt me. I cringe when I hear throwaway phrases such as “go the extra mile” or “think outside the box.” What do these words even mean? Or are these business cliches just an easy choice when we do not want to think deeply about the true meaning of what we are trying to convey?

I was curious if others felt the same way, so I turned to folks on LinkedIn to get their thoughts. Many of you shared your frustrations at having real workplace issues ad...

Your Office Is a Zoo — Now What?

Observe any workplace and you will find an astonishing ecosystem. Each one is filled with many creatures. Depending on the organization, you may also find a battle for survival. Some rule with wit while others dominate with more concealed tactics. What is this one constant in the wild, wild world of work?

Just like the natural world, the office can be a place of wild beauty and also Darwinian survival of the fittest.

You might be working in just such an untamed environment yourself. Maybe e...

The Founder’s Paradox: How Do You Get Out of the Details When You Care More About the Details Than Anyone Else?

Most founders care deeply. I know that I do. About everything that Aha! is and will be — the people and the product. About everything that does not go the way we want it to. I care about every little detail. Yet, the skyrocketing growth of the company means that I must not dwell on every little detail. Care, but do not care? I feel like I am being squeezed.

It strikes me now that it is more than just caring. Most successful founders know at their very core what is right and what is wrong for...

Remote Work Is Different Than a Part-Time Job

Everyone wants to work remotely. I know this because I receive messages from people every day who want to work remotely for Aha! — I also read a lot of misguided perceptions. “It must be great working from home, so you can get more done around the house.” “Working remotely would allow me to travel the world.” “It would be great to work less.” The reality is so far from this remote work fiction.

Remote work requires sustained effort and focus — full time. Just like any other job done well.

Ou...

How to Question Your Boss (and Be Loved for Being Obnoxious)

Rude is not always loud. Yes, the person who speaks over everybody in a meeting is a bit obnoxious. But the person fading into the corner of the room can be even worse. No curiosity. No clarity. Nothing bold. Quietly letting the world and the work pass them by.

This clammed-up person is not being rude on purpose, of course. Like most people, they are just trying to be nice and get along.

But the opposite is true. The person who hides in comfortable silence is being cruel — by not asking toug...

How to Measure the Success of an Enterprise Transformation

All lasting companies change. The most successful ones transform in meaningful ways that continuously increase value for customers and employees. Recently, I have been sharing in detail what enterprise transformation looks like and what it requires from a strategic and tactical perspective. But with so many moving parts, you might be wondering how to know if the transformation is succeeding. How do you measure change?

You most likely cannot track the same metrics you have always tracked in y...

Your Go-to-Market Activities Need to Change — Here Is How

The day has come. Your teenager is finally ready to part with their toy car collection. In the old days you might have held a yard sale and tacked flyers up around the neighborhood. Not anymore. Today, your teen knows to announce the sale where the ideal buyer goes to purchase — an online marketplace or an auction site like eBay.

Kids know that you need to do things differently — as digital natives they have experienced customer-centric thinking firsthand.

You should be familiar with kind of...