Grow A Small Business Podcast Veblen Director Program: Callum Laing's Journey from M&A Expert to Building a Global Network with 200+ Members on 300+ Boards, Scaling from 1 to 7 Team Members, and Breaking Barriers in Diversity. (Episode 617 - Callum Laing)
In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Callum Laing, founder of the Veblen Director Program, a global initiative helping individuals secure their first board seats and add value to businesses worldwide. Callum shares insights from his storied career in mergers and acquisitions, scaling businesses, and promoting diversity in boardrooms. Learn how Veblen grew to include over 200 members serving on 300+ boards and why he believes every entrepreneur should leverage advisory boards. Visit Callum Laing's website to explore his books, insights, and more about his mission to connect and empower future board leaders.
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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.
And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:
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What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business? According to Callum Laing, one of the hardest things in growing a small business is finding the right team and keeping them aligned and motivated. He emphasizes that when you have the right people working together effectively, the journey becomes much easier. However, ensuring that team members remain engaged, focused, and inspired throughout the growth process is a key challenge many business owners face.
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What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most? Callum Laing's favorite business book that has helped him the most is "Legacy" by James Steven Cook. This book resonates with his focus on building and maintaining strong company cultures, particularly in the context of resilience and long-term success, which are central themes in his work with boards and M&A.
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Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business? Callum Laing emphasizes reading and learning through books and networks over podcasts but highlights the value of mentorship and professional communities for growth. He recommends leveraging online courses and platforms like LinkedIn to connect with peers and gain insights. For actionable advice, his books "Progressive Partnerships" and "Boardroom Blueprint" are great resources. Explore more of his insights and tools for business growth at callumlaing.com.
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What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business? Callum Laing recommends leveraging advisory boards as a key resource for growing a small business. He highlights how having a group of experienced advisors can provide strategic guidance, accountability, and access to valuable networks. This tool is especially impactful for small businesses aiming to scale effectively while benefiting from diverse perspectives and expertise.
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What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business? Callum Laing reflects that the advice he would give his younger self is to listen more to the great advice from mentors and apply it. He admits that, in his early days, he either lacked the context to fully understand the advice or dismissed it with overconfidence. His key takeaway is to remain open, humble, and coachable, as following sound advice could have made his journey smoother and more successful.
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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest: A strong board is the compass that guides your business through uncharted waters — Callum Laing Partnerships are the rocket fuel that propels businesses to new heights — Callum Laing Challenges are not obstacles, but opportunities in disguise — Callum Laing