Leadership Reflections

Last 2 blogs I published 15 of my most memorable lessons learned about laying the foundation of digital wealth manager Pritle.

This blog, I publish my 25 values and most memorable lessons learned in relation to Management & Leadership following 8 years of ABN AMRO bank and 4 years of entrepreneurship by setting up Pritle, acquiring investment firm Fundix and selling what we built to BinckBank.

1. 1. Keep your head cool. There will be many ups and downs
2. 2. Maintain your cultural objectives defined while laying the foundation of your company
3. 3. Keep to your commitments in- and externally
4. 4. Delegate. So you keep the bigger picture in sight and team members develop
5. 5. Speak with clients! Help your customer service team and learn what clients think
6. 6. Renew your energy and inspiration by taking distance when reasonably possible
7. 7. Create a personal bond with all your team members for as long as you can
8. 8. Praise people openly and coach firmly in the background where needed
9. 9. Admit your wrongs and don't claim fame for your rights
10. 10. Coach everyone on thinking critical and ambitious continuously
11. 11. Be on time and guide your team toward being on time
12. 12. Set the example by focusing on the objective in conversations
13. 13. Show respect under all circumstances to all stakeholders
14. 14. Cover your team above external parties openly and coach in the background if needed
15. 15. Remember the power of laughter under all conditions
16. 16. Be prepared to be the initial force to drive change but stimulate your team to take initiative
17. 17. Hire smarter, more skilled and more experienced people wherever possible
18. 18. Hold short meetings. Create a clear goal, role of stakeholders and summarize
19. 19. Keep track of goals by team. Coach your MT to keep track of their team members
20. 20. Create a stage for everyone to share ideas, progress or ask questions
21. 21. Make a positive and lasting first impression. Everywhere
22. 22. Invite external senior professionals and shareholders to challenge you and your company
23. 23. Communicate more frequently to all stakeholders than you think is necessary
24. 24. Make sure your team remains united. Be visible, connect teams, motivate & inspire
25. 25. Consume healthy, do sports and maintain mental fitness. Chasing success is topsport

Product & Marketing: Build Around Your Client

Your product is your most important marketing tool! Be outstandingly valuable, insightful, exciting or simple. Build a service that makes your clients see you as the best or only of its kind. Keep them coming back so you remain top of mind and their networks will likely become your clients too.

Be Consistent in Branding

Your company's profile can influence perception about you, your team and your service. Make sure to keep in harmony at all times how you want it all to come across. From your office to your communication and your team's principles and personal presentation, it should all be in line with the aimed branding positioning.

Finance: Create and Maintain a Solid Backbone

Be profit oriented. Apart from spending money wisely, it is advisable to set up a system to use all data available to continuously keep track of costs and income per category and client group.

Top 10 Tips for When You Sell Your Company

1. 1. Diversify the suite of potential buyers
2. 2. Hire a lawyer to support negotiations
3. 3. Ask time, don't rush
4. 4. Inform your team early
5. 5. Prepare presentations thoroughly
6. 6. Find acceptable balance in deal terms
7. 7. Maintain good relationships with all suitors
8. 8. Make agreements about roles before closing
9. 9. Determine alignment on vision
10. 10. Plan combining teams and companies carefully

Cheers! — Thomas