Archive - November, 2009

What is you Contribution Equation?

November 7, 2009 in Culture, Entrepreneurship, Generosity, Inspiration, Life with 0 Comments

I like math – I always have and always will. I often think in equations. For many things I do, I crank out a quick ROI calculation in my head – mostly subconsciously and instantaneously, but I do it. As many of you know, I left Leverage Software on October 27th. Since my departure I have been trying to determine how I want to split my time between earning, helping entrepreneurs and giving back philanthropically.

Math

After meeting a bunch of awesome people at Summit Series, spending a bit of time with Tim Ferris and Scott Harrison from Charity Water and generally thinking about how I want to spend my time I have defined my Contribution Equation (and created a new term in the process, I suppose). I am defining the Contribution Equation as the formula for how I spend my time professionally and philanthropically. It considers working hours only – let’s assume 50 hours per week. It doesn’t include personal time with friends, coaching, family time, etc. Of course, there is some overlap but the Contribution Equation is the deliberate way in which I spend my time to earn and contribute. So, here it is – what’s yours?

  • 50% of my working hours – earning $$
  • 25% of my working hours – advising companies for equity only (or none at all, in some cases)
  • 25% of my working hours – volunteering and philanthropic endeavors such as planning, advising, fund-raising, donating, and development for things that I believe in and wherein I can provide tremendous value

For me, this equation represents the appropriate blend of present earnings, equity upside and giving. It allows me to most effectively leverage my capabilities, experience and passions to help a bunch of people less fortunate while satisfying my financial goals. I’m sharing this to ask you to think about your Contribution Equation. If you are reading this post, you are likely more fortunate than 90% of Americans and 99% of the people on this planet. Will you consider the giving part of your Contribution Equation?

Remember, giving can be in the form of expertise, money, time, connections, promotion, etc. For many, the equation might be 99% and 1% (giving), which is an awesome contribution. I would suggest that you write it down, because it allows you to turn your desires into action and execution. One way to think about the Return part of the ROI equation, with regard to giving, is that you might:

  • feed a bunch of kids
  • provide safe drinking water which prevents disease and death
  • prevent a suicide
  • help to raise a child
  • educate a child or adult
  • provide skills and financial resources to support a family economy across the globe

Those are pretty awesome returns, aren’t they? It doesn’t take much to make a huge contribution.

What is you Contribution Equation?

Be well.

@mwalsh

It’s a new day with new opportunities. Best wishes Leverage!

November 4, 2009 in Entrepreneurship, Generosity, Inspiration, Leadership, Life with 0 Comments

As the title implies, I am embarking on new and exciting things. Before describing what I’ll be up to, I wanted to share a few things about my experience with Leverage Software.

Nearly 8 years ago, I had an “ah-ha” moment that set me into action to launch Leverage Software. I wanted to create a better way for business people to develop and share relationships and information. I tapped my buddy Joe and after a couple of back-of-the-napkin sessions I convinced Joe to join me. With passion and enthusiasm, Leverage Software was launched.

Among the most valuable and important outcomes from launching and growing Leverage are the relationships that I have built over the last 7 years. I am thrilled to have developed friendships with customers, partners, employees, analysts, vendors, investors and even competitors. These relationships will last a lifetime.

I am honored to have worked closely with hundreds of companies to launch innovative communities. These customers share my vision as they embark on new ways to communicate with their customers, partners, employees, members, students and staff. They were and continue to be brave as they push the communication envelope.

I am fortunate to have collaborated with so many great employees at Leverage over the last 7 years. The lean development team rocks, customers rave about client services, marketing is passionate and effective while sales has always found the perfect balance between extracting an order with confidence and conviction while making clients really happy as they deliver the value proposition with great respect, knowledge and enthusiasm.

Among other responsibilities as founder and CEO of Leverage, I was responsible for vision and strategy. It is amazing to see something move from one’s never ending stream of thoughts  (I mean never ending – just ask Kate how many texts she received over the weekends) into action and client value through a team of smart and dedicated colleagues. As a leader, I am proud of the business that I created and we built and am excited for what the future holds for Leverage.

The most important and valuable return on the investment that I made over the last 7 years are the lives that I have touched and have been touched by while at Leverage. I received a couple of incredibly heartfelt communications over the last couple of days. The most important of these was a “thank you” from one of my colleagues. She thanked me not only for mentoring her but also for empowering her and growing her confidence, which will have an everlasting impact.  This reward makes the last 7 years incredibly worthwhile.

The next 7 years should be amazing for Leverage. The last 90 days have been the best in the history of the company. By every important business metric, Leverage performed better than ever. In addition to strong metrics, which shall remain confidential, Gartner recognized Leverage as a Visionary in the Social Software category. As a major shareholder, I am optimistic that Leverage will continue to thrive over the next several years. The passion, work ethic and intelligence of Leverage employees and customers will drive that success.

So what am I up to? I am excited to work with a few companies on really exciting projects – pitching in where they need my help to make their businesses thrive. I will be working on strategy, vision, execution, partnerships, sales execution, and plain ole’ just getting it done – I want to help companies ROCK! I will provide much more detail over the next week or so, and you can catch a glimpse here. I will also spend time advising companies and investing time on philanthropic passions.

With enthusiasm, I thank all Leverage customers and partners – past and present; and wish them the best. To my former colleagues at Leverage, please take care of my baby and grow it into something even more valuable than it is today.

I am excited for my upcoming projects and working with many of you as we develop deeper relationships with the end goal of building tremendous business value. If you believe that you can use my help, contact me here. Spend every day living your passions.

Cheers,

mike

Comments

Jared – thank you very much for the huge compliment – I really appreciate it! I will be sure to keep you posted. I’ll be announcing a few things over the next 3-4 weeks.

mike

Posted by: mike walsh | November 13, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Congratulations, Mike! That’s really huge news and I’m glad you were able to not only navigate the ship disembark while everything was still smooth sailing. That’s the harder thing to do and you’ve done it well. I’m sure this will be a chance to help more people to benefit from your all your ideas.

Posted by: Jared Goralnick | November 12, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Thanks Venson – I really appreciate it! We will definitely connect in the near future!

mike

Posted by: mike walsh | November 06, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Kate – thank you very much for the kind words. It’s been awesome to work together over the last 4 years. I have had the pleasure to watch you grow in sales skills, confidence and as a friend. I can’t wait to work together, again.

Posted by: mike walsh | November 06, 2009 at 11:01 AM

Mike,
You have been a tremendous force over the past 7 years to the industry, the company and your employees. I look forward to continuing to admire the leadership I am confident you will bring to your future endeavors and to root for you in all your successes that lie ahead. Rock on, Mike.

~Kate

Posted by: Kate Swanson | November 06, 2009 at 10:42 AM

Mike, best of luck! I know your next venture will be as exciting and fulfilling as Leverage was.

Posted by: Venson Kuchipudi | November 05, 2009 at 06:01 PM

Can’t wait to hear more…..

Posted by: Fonaz | November 05, 2009 at 10:12 AM

Thank you Leslie. I’ll be in touch soon!
Mike

Posted by: Mike | November 05, 2009 at 07:12 AM

thank you Gene – I really appreciate that. I will look yo of for sure!
mike

Posted by: mike walsh | November 05, 2009 at 04:36 AM

Mike, wow, surprising news! I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and Leverages over the past few years. I look forward to hearing about your new gig and please keep in touch.

Best,
Leslie

Posted by: Leslie Forde | November 04, 2009 at 06:42 PM

Hey Mike -
congrats on getting Leverage to critical mass and leaving on a high note.
Best of success with your future endeavors.
Gene Breger
Chicago

Posted by: Eugene Breger | November 04, 2009 at 05:29 PM

Jeremiah, Jim, Rachel and Mark – thank you very much for the kind words – I really appreciate it! Each of you have been part of this “social” scene from the beginning. Your well wishes and compliments mean a lot to me.

thank you.
mike

Posted by: mike walsh | November 04, 2009 at 01:57 PM

Wow Mike, I’m shocked to hear this news. Leverage has grown so much with your leadership, congratulations on all that you’ve done over the years. I look forward to hearing about your next gig.

Posted by: twitter.com/jowyang | November 04, 2009 at 12:09 PM

Mike: Best of luck to you.

Jim Lundy
Gartner

Posted by: Jim Lundy | November 04, 2009 at 10:35 AM

Mike -

Not sure the context but I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you over the past 2+ year and have always thought you were doing great things at Leverage. Can’t wait to see what you are up to next. Best wishes and congratulations on developing such a great company!

Rachel

Posted by: Rachel Happe | November 04, 2009 at 10:34 AM

Hey Mike:

Best of luck with your next chapter.

Mark Wallace
@mwallcomm

Posted by: Mark Wallace | November 04, 2009 at 10:06 AM

Leadership – Important skills for parents, coaches and CEOs

November 2, 2009 in Culture, Entrepreneurship, Family, Generosity, Inspiration, Leadership, Life with 0 Comments

Leadership – Important skills for parents, coaches and CEOs.

Leadership is a critical component of success – whether on the field, in battle or in the office. As the leader and founder of Rockstar Group, a parent of two active boys and as Coach of a little league baseball team; I have noticed common leadership attributes across these three environments. Whether it’s leading a team of employees or a team of eager 6-8 year old baseball players or raising kids; the leadership strategies and tactics that deliver results seem to be the same. These leadership traits are consistent with those taught by Jack Welch. There is likely no CEO who knows more about leadership than Jack Welch.

    • Get people excited to accomplish the tasks at hand.
    • Provide inspiration and encouragement.
    • Set a strategy to align goals.
    • Be passionate, positive and deliver encouragement.
    • Celebrate risk taking as well as failure.
    • Let people make mistakes under a watchful eye.
    • Set challenging but attainable goals and objectives.
    • Explain responsibilities and expectations so people can be accountable.
    • Celebrate and reward with enthusiasm.
    • Provide feedback and input even when not asked.
    • Find the balance between driving hard with being a trusted resource.
    • Be an inspiration and lead by example.

These skills and approaches have allowed me to drive results forward and appreciate the return of the excitement of accomplishments of others. Whether 4 years old or 40, we all wish to improve and win. There’s nothing better to see someone accomplish a task for the first time, or perform better than they ever had before or accomplish things that they never thought possible.

Anyone can lead – you don’t need the title to be a leader. People want to be led. Go lead someone today. You will be thrilled by the results! I would love to hear about your examples of leadership, and welcome all feedback that you have.IMG_1548

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