Biz Literature – Ian The Pedestrian

Checkmating the Impossible: The Entrepreneur’s Journey

Starting a business is like playing a game of chess – it’s a strategic adventure with its wins and losses. On the one hand, it’s incredibly fulfilling to see your moves come to life and to have the freedom to call the shots. The board is vast when it comes to the potential success and impact…

But like any game of chess, there are challenges and unknowns. It takes brains, bravery, and boldness to start and see it through. But remember, it’s a journey, not a destination. It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions along the way.

Surround yourself with people who believe in you and in your vision, and take things one move at a time. Celebrate your victories, learn from your setbacks, and keep moving forward. You’re not alone – many entrepreneurs have played in your shoes and faced similar challenges.

Take a deep breath and trust in yourself. Who knows where the journey will take you or how far you’ll go? But with determination and hard work as your strategy, anything is possible. And hey, if all else fails, at least you’ll have some great stories to tell.

So here’s to making moves, chasing dreams, and checkmating the impossible!

Want to know what I just started?

Why Verbal Aggression in the Workplace is a No-No (Hint: It’s Not Just Because It’s Rude)

Picture this: You’re sitting at your desk, minding your own business, when suddenly your boss starts yelling at a colleague. Not only is it loud and startling, but the language being used is hurtful and belittling. Not exactly a fun way to start the day, right? It’s like being on a peaceful nature hike and suddenly encountering a bear. Not cool. And let’s be real, nobody wants to be the one to tell Yogi he can’t have that pic-a-nic basket – or worse, having to explain to Boo-Boo why he can’t have any honey.

The thing is, verbal aggression in the workplace is not only unpleasant, it can also have some serious consequences. For starters, it can create a hostile work environment. Nobody wants to work in a place where they feel uncomfortable or intimidated. And when employees feel that way, productivity can take a nosedive. It’s like trying to work while someone is blasting heavy metal music in your ear. Not exactly conducive to getting things done – unless you’re into that sort of thing – or you’re secretly a headbanger.

But it’s not just about productivity. Verbal aggression can also damage relationships between colleagues. When someone is yelled at or belittled, it can create feelings of resentment and anger. This can lead to tension and conflict in the workplace. And when colleagues are at odds with each other, it can make it difficult for them to work together effectively. It’s like trying to row a boat with one person paddling forward and the other paddling backward. Not going to get very far – and let’s face it, nobody wants to be stuck up that creek without a paddle – or a lifejacket.

And let’s not forget about trust. Trust is essential for building strong relationships in the workplace. But when someone is yelled at or belittled, it can erode trust. And once trust is lost, it can be difficult to rebuild. It’s like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube – not easy – and let’s be honest, nobody has time for that – or the patience.

Verbal aggression can also have a negative impact on employee morale. When employees are subjected to this kind of behavior, it can make them feel undervalued and disrespected. This can lead to decreased job satisfaction and motivation. And when employees aren’t motivated, they’re less likely to go above and beyond in their work – it’s like trying to run a marathon after eating an entire pizza by yourself – not going to happen – unless you’re some kind of superhero.

And if all that wasn’t enough, there are also legal consequences to consider. Harassment and discrimination laws protect employees from being subjected to a hostile work environment. So if an employer allows verbal aggression in the workplace, they could find themselves in hot water – like boiling hot water with no escape hatch.

So what’s the bottom line? Verbal aggression in the workplace is a no-no – like wearing socks with sandals kind of no-no (seriously, don’t do it). It can create a hostile work environment, damage relationships between colleagues, decrease productivity, negatively impact employee morale, and even have legal consequences – like having to wear an orange jumpsuit kind of consequences (not exactly fashionable).

So let’s all do our part to promote positive communication in the workplace – because nobody wants to be known as “that guy” or “that gal” (you know who you are). After all, a little kindness goes a long way – like free donuts on Friday kind of long way – or even better – free pizza on Monday (because who doesn’t love pizza?).

Scenario Planning Process

PESTLE, VUCA, SWOT, Inflection point curve and even the 5 forces of framework by Professor Porter are actually strategic business tools which could help you assess your business and/or the business environment as whole. However, in doing the strategic planning process, a strategic practitioner should not only culminate the assessment and analyses here, rather continue to the next step which is the Scenario Planning Process. Doing so will help you anticipate and mitigate risks in the future as well as help you plan at different points and levels to make decisions.

This exercise is simple but helpful. You simply have to create multiple different environment or realities of the future of your business.

Identify the driving forces. You can refer to your PESTLE, VUCA, SWOT and other business tool you probably have used.
Identify critical uncertainties. Depending on the kind of industry, determine the things that you might not know about. Then among the uncertainties list, keep those which you think would really affect your business
Develop Plausible Scenarios. Get the guestimation and creative thinking rolling! Ask how WH scenarios might look like in x number of years? After which, create a scenario planning matrix imagining as if you are there – being transported to the future. With my case studies at school, I normally use the Worst-Business as Usual – Best matrix since its cleaner and easier to fill in, but you can use the X-Y axis too. Note that it may take a lot of brain works if you try to project scenarios in 10++ years.
Discuss Implications and Paths. Try to address challenges so you can make the organisation successful. How will you act on it?

In order to do this well, you have to veritably know the industry you belong to.

You might think that this is rubbish and a waste of time since we are all just making guesses – we don’t know where we are going to be or what is it going to be. Yes, correct, but it’s the science, art and math of putting together long range planning to help mitigate all kinds of risks and be prepared to tackle it. At some point, whether now or in the future, you have to make decisions and doing this process will keep you ahead of the game.

It stirs you closer to reality.

Strategic planning is not all about getting there and hitting the billion dollar target, or tweaking the mission/vision statement. It is about being ready with unexpected realities that might possibly stifle or paralysed the business.

Ian’s Note: Most of the contents here are based on my learnings from Leeds Business School, UK to which I am currently enrolled as an MBA Student. This is merely a synopsis of my understanding. I hope you could learn something out of it too. Love lots and stay safe.

Ever heard of Pestle and Vuca?

Environmental scanning has always been a part of to-dos whenever an organisation does its year Corporate Strategic Planning. This environmental scan determines and identifies the external factors that drive a business or that may drive the business in the future.

One of the common (if not overused) business analysis tools, perhaps is the two-by-two matrix used to build SWOT, with horizontal pairings of Strengths and Weaknesses; Opportunities and Threats, and how you could then convert your Weaknesses to Strengths; your Threats to Opportunities.

Another tool is the use of Inflection Point Curve where an organisation determines some changes in the environment that may impact the business 10x or more. As believed, if an organisation gets this right, business will reach new heights. If an organisation ignores or neglects the signals, then business might fall to critical decline.

We have probably heard both tools mentioned above during our University days or even from our workplace. I , for one, is writing and illustrating right now based on learning vestiges (at least) from my marketing classes almost a decade ago.

But… what if I tell you that there are actually other more helpful analysis tools I just learned 10 years after? Yes, just now and we are going to learn it together.

PESTLE, a mnemonic, which stands for Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal and Environmental Analysis. This framework gives a drone view of the whole macro-environment from many different angles. Other companies call this PESTEL or STEPLE. Whichever way, this tool is a much more comprehensive form of SWOT and it is critical that companies understand the complete depth every letters represent.

VUCA, on the other hand, is actually a military acronym for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity. This framework has been actively and frequently used by civilian business executives and leaders professing that certain elements which make soldiers combat-ready can be applied in the business prairie too. The business idea is simply to be ready for new trends that require rapid transition as our world continues to become more complex, more uncertain and much less predictable – VUCA WORLD.

Both Pestle and Vuca business analysis tools can be utilised in Scenario Planning as part of the strategic planning process. We can tackle this on my next blog post. If you have not explored Pestle or Vuca yet, I really recommend that you give it a good read and research. As of right now, I am currently doing my case studies using these frameworks. It is so much fun!

Typical corporate ring scenarios

Before we enter into the ring, let’s lay down all the definitions first. Sipsip – is a Tagalog term for brown nosing, boot licking, ingratiating – to catalyse one’s advancement. Literally, it means to “suck up to” using an unrestrained and artificial flattering. Sipsips are ubiquitous in the workplace setting – and that doesn’t’ exempt Philippines. In fact, we, Pinoys came up with a meritorious full-form of it as Severely Insecure People Seeking for Instant Promotion (SIPSIP). Tanga, on the other hand, is a person who makes imprudent and unwise decisions. Literally, it means a “fool”. Tangas are quiet pervasive in the workplace setting too.

Now, we are entering the ring. You are the main character of course, and I would like you to ideate an amateur boxing bout (actual match) to which you’ve already gained judges favour. Why? Because you have had your game-plan and did your pre-fight preparation well. No – months before the event, you didn’t really hit the road, lift heavy bags and mitts or have had rounds of sparring. You’re not even ready to get hit. Yes –months before the event, you did consistent flatteries with the judges. You simply drowned them with bags of wishes and large sum of hypocritical compliments. How fool the judges are to not read that.

During the bout, you missed a number of notable overhand and corkscrew punches in some rounds, yet you kept on releasing rabbit punches even when you know it’s illegal. You were also unable to dodge a quick southpaw blow. You kept on clinching and sometimes you rope-a-dope or fall hardly into the canvass. By the end of the match, your face is wreaked havoc with remarkable bruises and cuts and a cauliflower ear, yet you were still duked as winner. Your opponent on this tall tale, though how much deserving for the title failed to bag it. His painstaking preparation and exhibition of rapid bolo,and bob-and-weave just didn’t seem to buy out. He never even had an eight-count. Deym! Was there something?

Flattery is all powerful and this mojo never goes out of style. Though up in the boxing ring you looked incompetent- lacking the skill set, the judges still favour you because of your prowess to fawn over them. Your hard work has paid off in bagging the belt-of-fame but spectators see you as ne’er-do-well. Way to go sucker!

As an employee in a corporate ring, we all have vested interest in winning a promotion for a fat pay check or fame. Nothing wrong with that. However, the problem arises when you do it out of selfish desires. Instead of working on competencies and performing efficiently at work, you end up brown nosing. Sipsip jud! Another problem is, when an employer fails to recognize a brown noser. Tanga-tanga sad.

I know. I definitely know. We all like compliments. In fact, there is this article posted in Harvard Business Review site that can support my statement, and I quote, “You don’t believe me. You couldn’t possibly — after all, I’ve never seen you. But, chances are, on an unconscious level you really do believe me, and my compliment makes you feel warm and gooey inside. And your positive feelings predispose you to do something nice for me, so if I were a salesman or your subordinate or your colleague, that nice something, whatever it is, could definitely make my day.”

Uh-Uh! True but NOT WHEN THEY’RE FAKE. Huge caveat: As an employer, be prudent in detecting brown nosers. Should you feel compliments are getting insincere and faux, that’s already code red. Talk to the referee and ask for a time-out immediately.

There are no shortcuts to winning a boxing match or coveting that long dream promotion. Preparation matters. Brown nosing may take you up but won’t keep you up. Competency speaks for itself. Efficiency reflects results. When judges or your bosses are already awaken from apathy and finally detect you’re sucking up for personal advancement, you’re then susceptible to TKO- technical knockout punch and you may be declared as loser.

Do you want to get a boo or a hoh hoh? You decide!