Verne Harnish's Scaling Up Workshop with EO Melbourne: Igniting Business Growth

It was a one-of-a-kind learning event as EO Melbourne brought back the trailblazing Verne Harnish, the mastermind behind the revolutionary Scaling Up methodology. This exceptional and sought-after event took place early this month at Hotel Chadstone, leaving attendees charged with inspiration and armed with actionable insights that can propel their businesses to new heights.

Verne Harnish, acclaimed author of 'Scaling Up,' took centre stage to lead a workshop that proved nothing short of transformative. With his profound expertise, Harnish expertly engaged the audience, sharing his in-depth knowledge of business scaling strategies and emphasising the critical roles of Pricing and Compensation in today's business landscape.

The event buzzed with contagious energy as entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals eagerly absorbed decades' worth of wisdom from Harnish. The workshop shone a spotlight on the convergence of Web 3.0 and Org 3.0, highlighting how AI and innovative team structures are reshaping the future of organisations. Attendees were immersed in practical examples drawn from EO companies, rendering complex concepts relatable and immediately applicable.

Among the event's standout moments was Verne Harnish's unveiling of a range of pricing approaches tailored for both B2C and B2B enterprises. Harnish delved into the hidden dynamics behind the pricing strategies utilised by leading unicorns, empowering attendees to wield these strategies to bolster their own companies' revenues and profits. Moreover, Harnish dissected the art of countering 'low ball' pricing within competitive markets, providing strategies for positioning businesses as low-priced competitors while maintaining a firm grip on profitability.

Verne Harnish's remarkable credentials, including his role as the pioneer of the globally acclaimed Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) and his extensive experience as a business educator, were evident throughout the workshop. His fervour for facilitating business growth was palpable, and attendees departed armed with tangible insights capable of reshaping their business trajectories.

This event wasn't a mere intellectual exercise; it was a toolkit brimming with practical strategies that attendees could deploy instantly. Verne Harnish's unwavering dedication to delivering high-impact workshops echoed in the event's triumphant success. Attendees departed with renewed purpose, equipped to spearhead growth and adeptly navigate the intricacies of pricing and compensation strategies.

The EO Melbourne team orchestrated flawless execution, fostering a gathering of attendees from the chapter and the business sector for a day of immersive learning, networking, and inspiration. True to anticipation, the event was a swift sell-out, underscoring Verne Harnish's renown and the immeasurable value of his workshops.

Verne Harnish's presence, wisdom, and insights indubitably etched an enduring impression on Melbourne's vibrant business community. EO Melbourne's commitment to catalysing transformational learning experiences through such events further solidifies its stature as a pivotal player in nurturing entrepreneurial excellence.

In summary, Verne Harnish's Scaling Up workshop in Melbourne was an indispensable event that delivered actionable insights, rejuvenating attendees and equipping them to steer their businesses towards unprecedented heights. As the sun dipped on this momentous day, the reverberations of Verne Harnish's teachings continued to resonate, fuelling the aspirations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Melbourne and beyond.

How to have continuous learning along the entrepreneurial journey

Knowledge is not static. It constantly expands. Each day always brings something new to the table, which is why growth and learning are essential parts of human nature. Continuous development builds up a person, and many leaders and entrepreneurs get to where they are right now because of their thirst for learning.

How do you keep on upskilling yourself and expanding your knowledge while on the entrepreneurial journey? There are plenty of ways to consistently expose yourself to new things and widen your understanding of various concepts and information. 

Read books and other materials

There are multitudes of reading materials that can provide you with pointers, tips and insights on improving yourself. Business leaders and visionaries have also written countless books that can give you a peek into their minds and experiences. Apart from books, there are magazines and online posts that give additional information and remind us of already acquired knowledge that we can take with us to our day-to-day lives and into our business.

We had shared several lists of books on this site. There are books recommended by EO members, biographies of known business leaders, books on persuasion and negotiation, books by women business leaders, crisis management books, and books written by EO members.

Listen to podcasts

Podcasts that cater to the needs of entrepreneurs are a great resource of information and inspiration. There are plenty of known podcasts online and we’ve compiled 20 of them that can be helpful to entrepreneurs. Apart from this list, there are also some amazing podcasts by EO that feature different entrepreneurs and business leaders and covers various topics across many industries.

Attend seminars, workshops and learning events

What better way to learn from the more experienced and the experts than to have first-hand interaction with them? When you attend seminars and learning events you get the opportunity not only to listen to them but also to ask questions and clarify things. Among the benefits that entrepreneurs get when they join EO is access to opportunities, events and executive education programmes. 

EO members share some of the learning events that they find have helped them in their professional growth. John Anderton, Founder and CEO of Butterfly, found that he learned a lot from “the whole-day sessions on elements from Scaling Up, e.g., People,” referring to EO’s Accelerator Learning Days, which includes workshops and pre-work, such as readings from Verne Harnish’s book, Scaling Up.

There are EO learning events that stood out for Anthony Holdstock, Director and Owner of Sharp & Carter, and he cited them, “I really liked Warren Rustand’s event on raising high-performing families and I enjoyed the Gabby Leibovich session (Catch of the Decade).” Warren Rustand’s event was attended by the families of EO members, which made it even more meaningful.

Whilst for Mark Calabro, Co-Founder of HungryHungry, the event that he found helpful to his journey was the "Battlescars of Business" with Gus Balbontin. “He was fantastic, and he really stretched my mind with the way I think about education and the world,” Mark shared.

Experience things

They say there’s no better teacher than experience itself. It’s even more exciting when the things you’ve read and heard are put into practical use and you even learn more along the way. Many entrepreneurs and business leaders learn from their experiences, taking into account their strengths, weaknesses, limits and capabilities that can often emerge in a particular situation. Even institutions that provide formal education acknowledge the importance of experience, which is why practicum and internships are included in courses and school programs.

Observe and reflect

Learning is often as simple as using the five senses. Be conscious of things you encounter each day. There are instances wherein you may not be in the thick of things, but you can observe and learn from the things and happenings around you. You can watch how someone you look up to does things in their business or listen to the experience shares and tips from your mentor. Whether you experienced something yourself or somebody did and you only witnessed it, follow it through by reflecting, filtering the things that you’ve seen or heard, and picking out the lessons that you can take with you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Think about the best way on how you can further hone your skills, talents and capabilities. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weaknesses so that you can expand your learning and improve yourself. How do you make sure that you continuously develop yourself as a person, entrepreneur, and business leader? Share with us your tips below.

Persistence and dedication to business: the difference between success and failure

“The more I practice, the luckier I get.” – Gary Player

This inspiring quote from golf legend Gary Player has taught Canopy Fitouts Managing Director Karl Simity about the need to work hard to be able to succeed in one’s endeavours. “Creating space that is perfectly fit for the user is what drives me. Sometimes there can be multiple roadblocks to creating a space that suits. However, finding the perfect solution is what I pride myself on,” he declared.

Karl started his business 5 years ago and managed to turn it into an 8-figure business in four years. “And I have never looked back. I love every part of it, from inspiring clients to working with my amazing team, as well as the exciting projects and stories of success that we get to play a small role in,” he shared.

According to Karl, “There are many different ways to create beautiful things, but from an early age, I decided to follow my passion for construction and people and make office fitouts my career. I’ve been lucky enough to live and breathe fitouts for half my life and I’ve seen just about every aspect that goes into a fitout.”

Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Karl learned that one cannot just achieve success overnight. Several factors facilitate entrepreneurs to reaching their goals. “You need to have a product or service that has a good market fit. You need a good business plan. You need start-up capital,” Karl enumerated.

Having these conditions are essential, but it is also important to have the right attitude and mindset towards business. He added, “You need to accept that you won't always get it right. Most of all, you need to be okay with not having the answers. It doesn’t matter how many entrepreneurial or business fundamentals you get right. It will never guarantee success. But there is one thing that will always be key – you need to stand up, you need to hold your head high and you need to get on with it.”

Karl further shared, “I’ve worked on the ground getting crucial hands-on experience. In design, it is challenging thoughts and boundaries of what is achievable, and in management, it is overseeing projects from inception and site selection to relocation.”

“You have to do the work, put the hard yards in and turn up every day as your best self, being ready to tackle the challenges head-on. There is always going to be someone smarter, faster and someone with more experience, but you have to be the one willing to work the hardest. Your persistence and dedication to your business is the difference between success and failure and the difference between good and great,” he remarked.

The reward can be quite satisfying for him as it motivates him to take the extra mile. “Seeing people happy in their new space and using them as designed drive me to continue to challenge myself to come up with smarter, more inspiring solutions and alternatives to ensure I can deliver the perfect fitout.”

Karl recognises that there are high points and low points in the entrepreneurial journey. But what matters is that he keeps moving forward until he gets to his goal. “You won’t always get it right, but it’s about getting up doing the work and putting the time in. That’s why ‘The more I practice, the luckier I get.’”

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What entrepreneurial lesson have you learned in your journey? Share them with us through the comments section below.

Short courses for entrepreneurs

Perhaps people are confident to go after their passion to start a business because they have acquired enough experience to do so or their training and educational background provided them with the knowledge and skills to make it happen. Still, this does not mean that business owners already know everything. They need to constantly update themselves with the latest trends and upgrade their proficiencies to move their ventures forward.

One of EO’s core values is Thirst for Learning, which is something every entrepreneur must have to keep going in their journey towards their goals. EO itself has executive-education programs that provide members with added resources and learnings. Several schools, professional groups and online sites offer short courses that help advance an entrepreneur’s competences. Some of them can run for a few days or weeks.

The personal and professional development of business owners can also lead to the growth of their enterprise as they are able to execute strategic plans of action and accelerate the progress of their productivity. Entrepreneurs can still continue their education and gain more expertise in different areas that may impact their businesses. Topics may revolve around, but are not limited, to the specialties below.

Leadership and Management

Graphic artists may open a design agency, health gurus can start a fitness gym, and lawyers and accountants can establish a consultancy firm. Basically, anyone can create a company based on their passion and expertise. However, running a business takes more than just proficiency in their field of work. It requires strong leadership and management skills to steer the venture towards success.

An entrepreneur must be able to look at things short-term and long-term, large-scale and micro-perspective. They need to grasp the nitty-gritty parts of human resource and operations. Being able to adapt to change is a skill that can be developed over time. Business owners must be able to think creatively and act strategically in any given situation.  

There are many courses on entrepreneurship, leadership, business planning and management that are offered in academic institutions. They sharpen one’s mind to innovate, transform, manage risks, generate ideas and create breakthroughs in their business.

Finance

Not many business owners may be able to understand and know the financial aspect of an enterprise. Yet, it is important to be acquainted with cash flow as this is the lifeblood of a business. You may find short courses on entrepreneurial finance, principles of accounting, budget planning financial analysis, financial systems, taxation, asset management, auditing, and other investment and economics-related topics.

Marketing

Marketing is an aspect of business that entrepreneurs should be familiar with because it drives sales. However, marketing is a broad area to study. It encompasses branding, market research, advertising, public relations, events management and sales, including customer service. Business leaders can expand their understanding and know-how of promoting their brand, company, and products or services.

As the market evolves, business owners also have to stay attuned to the changes not only to conform to the demands of the times but also to introduce new ideas and cause disruption to the minds of customers.

Internet and digital space

A new trend in marketing that presents a new and wide-ranging arena is the digital space. Gone are the days when promoting and selling are done face-to-face or via traditional media. The advent of the internet and new media has created a whole different culture in pushing for one’s brand.

From blogging, web management, SEO, social media marketing, mobile applications, new software to online community management, the digital field is expanding by the minute and new information comes in by the second. Short courses on such topics can widen an entrepreneur’s comprehension of the digital age and how this can help grow their business.

Technology

New technological advancements happen across various industries, such as in food, hospitality, accounting, engineering, education and medicine, to name a few. Artificial intelligence is applied in communication, security, research, aeronautics and other fields of endeavour. Business owners can take special classes on technology courses that can be applied in their business.

Special Interests

To develop other aspects of your entrepreneurial self, you can also take short classes on public speaking, writing, languages and other special interests that can also add value to your organization.

The road of your entrepreneurial journey may be steep or filled with potholes. As long as you continue to improve yourself and pour the added knowledge you amass into your business, you can achieve the unimaginable. With more skills and competence, what you are able to attain in three years, you might be able to realise in a shorter time. Learning knows no age, so you can keep on acquiring expertise as you go along your journey.