Founder's Framework

In this engaging discussion, Cole Abbott, a Brand Strategist known for helping companies navigate uncertainty, shares strategies for building anti-fragile organizations. He emphasizes the importance of zero-based budgeting and leadership alignment. Abbott also advocates for a culture of transparency and trust, showing how resilient companies can thrive during downturns. He highlights the need for maintaining core values over mere survival, and how strong customer relations differentiate success between B2B and B2C clients. Prepare for storms and emerge stronger!

Join Cole Abbott, a Brand Strategist at Ninety, as he navigates the chaotic landscape of OS Anarchy in growing companies. Discover how tool sprawl can silently hinder your team’s effectiveness and why alignment is crucial for success. Cole shares insights on building a Unifying Operating System to simplify communication and foster a collaborative culture. Learn about the challenges of procrastination within teams and how regular feedback can boost organizational health. Perfect for anyone aiming to streamline processes as they scale!

Raising money is one thing. Choosing investors who truly align with your company’s values, strategy, and long-term vision is another.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott and Brand Strategist Cole Abbott explore why investor relationships often outlast everything else and what founders need to consider before signing a term sheet. From alignment on Forever Agreements to spotting red flags, this is a conversation about choosing the right partners for the journey ahead.What you’ll learn:→ Why investor relationships often last longer than your founding team→ How to assess compatibility across character, competency, and connection→ The role of Forever Agreements in choosing the right investorsResources:→ Lean more about Forever Agreements→ Explore the Vision Builders Workbook→ Subscribe to the Founder's Framework Newsletter→ Try Ninety free for 30 daysConnect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbottTry Ninety free for 30 days!

You can’t scale what you can’t define, and few things test that truth more than Brand Drift.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott and Brand Strategist Cole Abbott unpack one of the most common challenges growing companies face: the slow, often invisible slide into brand misalignment. Vision starts clear. Messaging feels right. But as the team expands, the offering matures, and the world shifts, you realize the story you're telling no longer matches the company you're building.So what do you do? Scrap it all? Start over?Not quite. This episode is about how founders can recognize brand drift, re-anchor the business without abandoning its essence, and realign their messaging with the Work that truly matters.What you’ll learn:→ Why Brand Drift is a natural part of company growth and a signal, not a failure→ What changes and what doesn’t as your Vision evolves→ Why consistent messaging starts with internal alignment, not just marketing→ The founder’s role as the Keeper of the Vision, especially in high-growth seasonsResources:→ Explore the Vision Builders Workbook: Vision Builders Workbook  → Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework Newsletter: Founder’s Framework | Newsletter → Try Ninety free for 30 days: The Leading Cloud-Based Business Operating System | Ninety Stay Connected:→ Follow Mark Abbott on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole Abbott on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbottTry Ninety free for 30 days!

In a world of constant change, great companies stay grounded by knowing what should never change.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott and Brand Strategist Cole Abbott dive into the concept of Forever Agreements—the core commitments that define who you are as a company and act as the throughline across every stage of growth. These aren’t strategies or tactics. These are the foundational agreements that shape your culture, your identity, and your future.What you’ll learn:What Forever Agreements are and how they differ from everything elseThe four foundational commitments: Compelling Why, Core Values, Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), and Compelling Value PropositionWhy making these agreements explicit helps your company scale without losing its identityResources:→ Read more on Forever Agreements: 6 Ingredients Founders Use to Build Damn Good, If Not Great, Companies  → Explore Compelling Why: 7 Reasons Founders Need a Compelling Why → Learn about Core Values: Grow or Die #6: Culture Matters  → Subscribe to the Founder's Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/FoundersFrameworkNewsl... → Get the Founder Mode Workbook: https://bit.ly/FounderModeWorkbookConnect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn→ Follow Cole on LinkedInTry Ninety free for 30 days!

Cole Abbott, a brand strategist focusing on leadership development, joins Mark Abbott to discuss the balance of strong convictions and adaptability in leadership. They explore how open-mindedness fosters growth and the importance of challenging biases. The conversation delves into personal ego development, emphasizing its role in effective decision-making. With anecdotes and insights, they highlight the evolution of leadership through understanding emotional dynamics and navigating personal growth stages, especially in the context of diversity and inclusion.

Not everyone is built to be a founder. It takes more than a great idea — it requires resilience, self-awareness, and the ability to make tough decisions every day.In this episode, Ninety Founder & CEO Mark Abbott and Brand Strategist Cole Abbott break down what it really takes to be a founder and how the Founder Mode Workbook helps you develop the mindset and strategies to build a lasting company.What you'll learn:Why being a founder requires more than just a great ideaThe mindset and resilience needed to build a lasting companyMistakes founders make and how to avoid themHow to use the Founder Mode Workbook to clarify your vision and strategyResources:→ Get the Founder Mode Workbook→ Download the Vision Builder’s Workbook→ Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework newsletterTry Ninety free for 30 days!

Explore the challenges of aligning vision, leadership, and organizational growth in a scalable way. Mark and Cole discuss the importance of building an agreements-based culture, fostering the right kind of communication, and strategically timing key leadership hires to ensure your shared vision is executed effectively.Try Ninety free for 30 days!

Explore the nine essential traits that make companies truly great. Discover how a strong sense of purpose and trust can drive talent retention and stakeholder relationships. The importance of focus, feedback, and value propositions is highlighted for market success. Dive into the concept of the 'infinite game' and how resilient teams thrive on a clear vision and culture. Learn about the significance of agreements and communication in fostering growth. Lastly, find out how passion in work can lead to joy and collaboration.

This episode reflects on the challenges and milestones of the past year, specifically the importance of scaling thoughtfully, maintaining team alignment, and preparing for the next phase of growth. The conversation wraps up with Mark and Cole sharing their excitement surrounding some upcoming initiatives for 2025. Ninety's Assessment ToolTry Ninety free for 30 days!