Founder's Framework

Building a mobile app sounds like a natural step for product-led startups, but it’s not always the right move. In this episode of the Founder’s Framework podcast, Mark Abbott talks with Ninety’s Head of Product, Kyle Phillips, about what it really takes to build and maintain a mobile app.You’ll learn:Why timing matters more than ambition when launching a mobile experienceThe surprising tradeoffs startups face between web and native appsLessons learned from building Ninety’s own iOS and Android appsThis candid conversation is packed with insights for any founder or product leader thinking about investing in mobile.→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry Ninety free for 30 days!

In this episode of the Founder’s Framework podcast, Mark Abbott explores the tension between intensity and consistency in high-growth companies. Founders are often wired to push hard, but without consistency, that intensity becomes unsustainable and even damaging. Mark shares insights on how founders can build systems that support sustained growth, prevent burnout, and maintain alignment with their teams.Whether you're in the middle of a growth surge or trying to create more stability, this conversation will help you reflect on how to pace your leadership and guide your team more effectively.Resources:→ Try Ninety free for 30 days: https://bit.ly/TryNinety→ Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework newsletter: https://bit.ly/FoundersFrameworkNewsletterConnect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbott→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry Ninety free for 30 days!

Join us on the Founder’s Framework podcast as we dive deep with Mark Abbott, author of “Work 9.0: The Evolution of Work”, exploring the profound shifts shaping our workplaces—and our world. We stand at the intersection of two eras: leaving behind the Age of Information (Work 7.0) and embracing the Age of Understanding (Work 8.0), with our sights set on the transformative horizon of Self-Actualization (Work 9.0).In this episode, Mark unpacks what this transition means for visionary leaders seeking to build enduring, purpose-driven organizations that thrive amidst complexity and uncertainty. We’ll explore how trust, culture, and clarity can guide founders through this critical moment, positioning their companies not only to survive but to significantly matter.This is more than a conversation; it’s an urgent call to action for enlightened leaders ready to shape the future of Work—one defined by deep human fulfillment, meaningful contribution, and lasting impact.What you’ll learn:→ What Work 9.0 is and why it matters→ How to maintain culture as your company scales→ Why clarity, trust, and shared systems are the foundation of great workResources:→ Order the Work 9.0 book: Work 9.0: The Evolution of Work  → Try Ninety free for 30 days: The Leading Cloud-Based Business Operating System | Ninety → Subscribe to the Founder’s Framework newsletter: Founder's Framework | Your Key to Building an Unstoppable Company Connect:→ Follow Mark on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/MarkAbbott→ Follow Cole on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/ColeAbbott→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry Ninety free for 30 days!

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/ColeAbbott→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry 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/ColeAbbott→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry 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 LinkedIn→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry 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 newsletter→ Subscribe to Mark’s Founder’s Framework Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3JiAaXTTry Ninety free for 30 days!