Florentino A. Hernando’s Post

The IRONY of being late shooting my video about "Doing Too Many Things" because I was doing "too many things" is not lost on me... That said, it feels good to finally get some of this down on video... Of all the advice that is dispensed in academia, one of the most varied is about whether you should focus narrowly and deeply, or diversify and broaden your repertoire. The reason for this variety of suggested approach is of course, circumstance and the individual: the ecosystem you find yourself in, and your personal aspirations, risk appetite and other factors determine what is "best for you". So this video is definitely not to suggest what you should do: rather to raise awareness of some key factors that might affect your approach. Some of these factors include: 💎 the combination of latency and low acceptance rates in many core activities - in academia being applying for grants and submitting publications - leading to volatility: one of the "management" strategies here is to do a lot more than you actually expect to get... 💎 your capacity for learning and improvement and hitting potential plateaus if focussing narrowly on just one thing - where you learn especially quickly but may eventually hit capacity / capability limits, versus doing a range of activities where you're continually learning and seeing good improvements because you're in an earlier part of the expertise spectrum 💎 having refuge activities to switch to if one of your activities is going badly, allowing you to recharge and come back to it later refreshed. Even if you work super hard and do everything right focusing on just-one-thing, it can go bad for all sorts of reasons beyond your control... 💎 the expectations of those who fund or resource you - sometimes they won't be keen for you to hyperspecialize, preferring a range of contributory activities (e.g. a typical academics' teaching, research and service split) 💎 personal preferences and attention span / comfort focusing deeply on one narrow thing versus lots of things 💎 diversity of activities, especially including *new* activities, provides you with the opportunity to discover new things that you are passionate about, and good at (ideally both together!) 💎 110% effort opportunities where, as long as you go in with eyes open, you commit fully to just one thing, in order to maximize chances of success - perhaps leaving academia to do a startup Check out the video in this post (sped up by 12% here to fit in the LinkedIn duration limit), or the original, normal speed video here: https://lnkd.in/dg9Ugb2y, or the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/d4baf2He Karen Cavu (FHEA) #academia #careeradvice #multitasking #career #research

2 July 2024 This is my first long post in a while.  I’ve been working on this content and wanted to get it out to all of you before the U.S. holiday weekend.  It’s obviously self-promoting, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on what I may be missing in the comments. Why do companies need experienced consultants?  Or, what value does an experienced advisor bring?  I will first address this from the perspective of a small company or a startup with technical founders: Part 1 of 2 1. New founders often don’t know what they don’t know Whenever I mention that my consulting practice involves coaching new technical founders, I hear a lot of reactions along the lines of “that’s a big need!” While there is a lot more available in the way of resources to new founders in recent years - incubator programs, pitch deck advice, and the like - often a new founder doesn’t even know what else they might need. Maybe it’s advice on how to develop their IP strategy or regulatory pathway.  Maybe it’s a project manager to help map out the timelines and dependencies in their R&D program. An experienced advisor can help identify these gaps and fill them, or recommend others in their network who can do so.  2. Experienced advisors can integrate a lot of information quickly  The “been there, done that” part of having a lot of professional experience means that an advisor can quickly review whitepapers, journal articles, and the like to give an opinion on another company’s technology or strategy. Or an advisor can listen to a long description of a business issue or technical problem and quickly bring a lot of experience to bear on possible solutions. An advisor can tell a small company what questions to ask of potential collaborators, investors, customers, and others, based on the information in an introductory meeting or presentation, for example, which can save countless hours of back-and-forth emails, meetings, etc.

Recently, I was contacted by someone working within a big hype-machine that apparently helps people like me blow up their high-ticket coaching programs and thus make gazillions of dollars. I was curious as to what was so unique with their set-up and took the 15 min call to hear their pitch, which, not all that unexpectedly, was more or less ‘the same sh*t, different wrapping’. Basically: their set-up would draw in hopeful clients with big promises about how their lives will become amazing, it would have them enter their credit card information, and then leave them on their own to fail and promptly forget about them. And I would make money while I sleep. My words, not his. So, I told him some more about my approach with Tribes of Peers. ”But, you could make SOOOOO much more money by automating your offering with our approach!!!”, he exclaimed. It wasn’t a video call, but I could clearly SEE his puzzled face in front of me in the silence that followed when I said, “I understand, but more money is not what will make me happy.” I could tell that this was a new concept for him, probably a young kid who had never considered that there could be anything BUT money that could make you happy… And then I told him, “If I would do what you are telling me to do, I would be JUST like everybody else out there today; just be in it for myself and not care if people ACTUALLY become happier.” I told him that many people out there that miss the PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL attention you got when you walked into those old mom-&-pop stores that used to exist; you know, where they actually SAW and HEARD YOU and CARED, making you feel like a valued customer. I told him that a lot of people HATE the impersonal vibe they get from the types of money-making-mega-machines that he was talking about, that treats people like sheep, and that I felt the world doesn’t need more of these. I told him that Tribes of Peers exists to represent the OPPOSITE of what he was proposing, because I want to make sure people DON’T waste more money, time and energy on the types of failed self-improvement experiments that these types of mega-machines offer. (I also made sure to mention how only 6% of people that enter the types of machines he was talking about complete the self-help courses or personal development programs they pay for, which just goes to show that it’s not a very customer-centric approach.) I told him that my target audience are those who want to be looked after and pampered by a present, committed and compassionate Personal Trainer for their Happiness. One that helps ensure that they make progress towards their happiness goals.  I told him that his “gazillion dollar machinery approach” didn’t appeal to me very much, and I told him that because you can’t scale presence and compassion I didn’t think he and I would come to an agreement that day. We didn’t. And even though it wasn’t a video call I could see him shaking his head as he hung up... #tribesofpeers

💼My Portfolio SKYROCKETS by 65% as I took a long Break from LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook... |Lessons Learnt |Why Prayers Work in Gaining Clarity... 1️⃣RE-INTRODUCTION: My name is Promise Nwadike🥂🍿 and I'm a Boy😂🤯. I'm THE Self Acclaimed "Apostle of Media", because of my undying love for Entrepreneurship, Revealing Christ, & Inspiring those around me to see and Experience the lifting power of Knowledge in their lives, businesses, & Relationships... So, my Friend, dubbed me, "Apostle of Business...", I felt, "Business" is too generic, I had to narrow it down to "Media", since that's where my Interest lies... And ever since, I have branded my personal brand in this light... 🎈What do I do? I'm a Branding and Marketing Consultant with 6yrs+ Industry Experience, who's had the privilege of working with clients in 7+ Industries including the Oil & Gas Sector. 2️⃣ My Portfolio SKYROCKETS BY 65% in 3-months.. How it happened! So, I had been in this Marketing Trenches for 6yrs without a Live Masterclass to my Name! I spoke with my Business Partner, about my plans to host ISMM. And she bought the idea. We pulled it off. and afterwards I went MONK🧘 MODE! During this period of soul searching for the next thing I can get obsessed about, the Idea to turn my 11yrs Experience in the Teaching Sector, into a Tech Product, arrived from the deep. and this, gave birth to: #Takeoffschool🛫🛫 (The Online Engine Room for Everything Secondary School, Administration & Financial Literacy for Young People between the ages of 13yrs -17yrs). . Our Debut Solution - "A Recruiting & Listing Service for Schools..." is set to Launch later this month... date will be communicated soon on GDA's official X account.... PS: Join the #Takeoffschool Waiting List by clicking on the Whatsapp Link in the Comments. 3️⃣ Lessons Learnt: Firstly, Always follow your Guts & Instincts. They can't lie to you. 2ndly, Surround yourself with Smart & Articulate People. They're priceless. 3rdly, Carry your Mentor(s) along. They won't mislead you. 4thly, Invest Quality time, Zoning out from the Rest of the world.. I call it "Monk mode".🧘🧘 5thly, Take good care of your body. Eat healthy. Exercise. Relax your Mind. and Have someone you can share how your day went, with, EVERYDAY! 4️⃣ 📸 - This was the last activity at ISMM, after the Guest Panelists had left, my Dear friend and MC of the day, Minister Chukwubuikem, asked Delegates to pray for me... I have no doubt when He said: "God will do Bigger Things with you, Promise, for organizing #ISMM..." So, no matter how confusing the paths got these past months, somehow, someway, Clarity always happens.... 🗣️In Conclusion: Papa Theophilus Sunday🎧🔥🔥 will always say: "...No matter what you do, Choose Prayer, even when you're tired, Just choose Prayer..." 📸 - Shot X Chopped by B-Max Images. #BrandingInspiration #ApostleofMedia #YourFavoriteBrandingConsultant

He used to say: "Start shooting shit about management, business, requirements, and not doing shit like the others here do" In a world where overthinking and analysis paralysis often reign supreme, his advice was a breath of fresh air. It was a reminder to stop overcomplicating things and just take action. To put pen to paper, fingers to the keyboard, and get things done. Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/AJuOQ #EverydayShortTalks #StartupInsights #EntrepreneurshipTips #EstablishedEntrepreneurs

Happy New Year folks! Let's Kickstart 🚀 this year with a very crucial skill that usually seems to take a backseat in many situations with people not giving the attention which it truly deserves. Did any of the schools and colleges teach us #criticalthinkingskills ? They don't. In recent years some have started to include this in the curriculum which is a good thing, but the numbers are not enough because it is something that is undeniable. I feel It is truly a necessity to pursue Critical thinking skills, especially in today's world. Often, we observe individuals passing judgment on each other without a genuine understanding or lack of information about who they truly are. It happens all over the world and in fact, you need to accept the fact that at some or other point in your life, we are in this. You might perceive that thinking critically is as bad as it sounds. But 'Critical thinking' is not about that, It's about 'How to think ' in a world where there is a lot of information and with a lot of arguments on both sides. I firmly believe that acquiring this skill has the potential to significantly alter your life and reshape your perspectives. Not that it just has the potential to assist individuals, but it is very helpful for businesses of all sizes, schools, government agencies, research organizations, healthcare, law, and particularly new startups. Including those already established but struggling to expand their business reach. So stay tuned for more insights on this topic! #criticalthinking #decisionmaking

Can you believe we're already halfway through the year? It feels surreal, right? As I reflect on the past six months, it's incredible to see how much has happened. We've seen the launch of some fantastic websites, led by amazing business owners. Of course, we've also faced plenty of challenges. Thinking about those challenges actually makes me smile. Did I enjoy dealing with them at the time? Absolutely not. Some of them really pushed my limits, to be honest 😂. But they reminded me of a quote: “What seems like a setback today can be a stepping stone tomorrow.” Those challenges, looks and unappealing at first, were valuable learning experiences. I think this mindset is perfect as we enter the second half of the year. Let's view upcoming challenges as lessons.😋 Also, now is an excellent time to revisit the goals we set at the beginning of the year. I have already planned my goals for the second half of the year sitting in my lovely garden. How are you progressing? What steps do you need to take in the next six months to ensure you're where you want to be by year-end? Do let me know in the comments below.

Last year I got beaten up. 1st year of committing to the entrepreneurship journey and launching my first online business, I was challenged to my core by all my limiting beliefs, my old programming, and my fears. It has been a rollercoaster of: - Failing - Learning - Improving - Growing Everything I passed through this past year has taught me priceless lessons, but obviously with a price. Some of the crucial lessons I learned this past year: - When starting just take action as you will never be able to plan ahead, we've changed what we are offering and how multiple times. - Don't complex, simplify - Ask, Ask, Ask. Ask clients for feedback, ask team members for feedback, ask for help - When seeking information, courses, frameworks whatever we need, consume one piece of material go through it fully, and get takeaways to implement upon right away. - We need to learn what not to do, as much as we need to learn what to do. - Rate of Learning Vs rate of change defines how well and fast we move forward. - Screw the shiny object syndrome, your own success rate is not linear, so your ability, drive, and unwavering belief will make things happen - Its a matter of when not if - Become master observers of how other conduct business, how we are conducting business, and identify how we want to be doing it. - Document the journey, the good the bad, the ugly all of it, unfiltered not just beautiful shiny things. - Build a personal brand that reflects you and then the business. - No need to act like a whale when you're still a fish, understand the phase you are in and work accordingly until you have what it takes to go to the next level. - Growth is not a Straight line and if it is it's not sustainable, every new level we unlock will teach us new horizons. - Aim for being better than yesterday. - Enjoy the journey as the destination will keep moving along the way, and focus on milestones. - Understand all business parts (structure, frameworks, systems & sops, hiring, accounting, marketing, fulfillment etc) before hiring externally or getting someone to do something for you. For me, I Aim to build internally all departments while getting help from the best to build something that suits my business brand, style, vision and mission, and operational structure. A long list I know⚔🏰 Hopefully, you can learn from my lessons🤝 A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from others' mistakes.

So many people think about it but never quite get to it. I thought I'd share my thoughts on successfully starting up and what I have learnt in the first 6 months... Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_iPZubk

Are you buzzing with creative ideas and ready to see them bloom into awesome businesses? We're thrilled to introduce our newest adventure, created hand-in-hand with EAS, designed just for folks like you in the creative tech world. This is your chance to learn by tackling real-world challenges and to gain invaluable insights from top industry experts. What You Will Gain: ▪️ Hands-on Experience: Validate all aspects of the lean canvas business model through actual application, ensuring that your idea not only exists in theory but is also viable in the market. ▪️ Expert Guidance: Learn directly from leading figures in the field, absorbing knowledge that can pivot your approach towards success. We will involve a community of over 200 people (IT, marketing etc.) to help you or teach you. ▪️ Customer Validation: Find out why it's crucial to have fans even before you launch. A paying customer's nod is your green light! ▪️ Practical Business Development Skills: Acquire the essential skills and experience needed to attract your first customers, setting a solid foundation for your business growth. This program is a unique blend of practical knowledge and hands-on experience, designed to get you off the ground. Our community will support you in every step. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your team and your project. Sign up now and take the first step towards turning your creative technology idea into a thriving business! 👥 Requirements? Just bring a team of at least two founders and your idea. Our team of expert will select out most promising ideas and teams to join the program. Ps! Your company is/will be established in Estonia. Ready to craft the future together? https://lnkd.in/dXC5a7gY Selection of mentors: Jaak Ennuste Marili Ruus Anni Sinijärv Andres Laaspere Helen K. Hendrek Kraavi