The Unscheduled CEO I've learned an expensive lesson.
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Jun 10, 2025 The host reflects on six years of costly experiments to make his business scalable, revealing 99% of them failed. He emphasizes the vital role of a CEO in defining business direction and the balance between collaboration and leadership. Personal anecdotes highlight the challenges of trusting others in operations and the pitfalls of relying on consultants. The discussion wraps up with updates on new initiatives and a light-hearted farewell, reminding listeners of available courses and training.
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Founder Rejoins to Revive Growth
- Jonathan Courtney stepped back into his company AJ&Smart when the business started to stagnate and decline.
- He took a hands-on leadership role, directly managing projects like the book funnel to drive growth.
Founder Involvement is Essential
- Small to medium businesses under 40 people need their founders involved to steer risky bets and maintain momentum.
- Founders can make decisions employees won't because they personally own the business and its future.
Stay Close to Your Business
- Stay intimately involved in your small business to keep its personality and direction intact.
- Lead projects directly and be open to team input but maintain final decision-making authority.