Read time: 4.12 minutes.

Welcome to Emerge Insights, my weekly newsletter, where I reveal cutting-edge tips to help you find momentum, scale up your business, and reclaim your life.

What's in store for today?

• Happy Workplaces Drive Momentum
• The 3 Elements of Powerful Partnerships
• How Much Do You Invest in Your Own Business?

I recently had the chance to chat with Mike Jones, founder of Better Happy, about the importance of finding purpose and building communities at work.

Mike has a fascinating background, from serving in the military to living in monasteries, and he's learned a lot about happiness and fulfillment along the way.

Mike challenges the idea that work is just a necessary evil. Instead, he believes that we're naturally goal-driven beings. 

Throughout history, we've achieved great things by working together in communities toward shared goals. It’s part of our DNA to collaborate and find joy in being part of something bigger than ourselves.

1. Happy Workplaces Drive Momentum

Creating a happier workplace isn’t just the right thing to do for us business owners—it’s a smart business move.

When employees are happy, they’re more engaged and productive, leading to more creativity and better results. Plus, a positive work environment helps attract and keep top talent, which is crucial in today’s competitive job market.

A happier workplace also means healthier, more balanced employees. When people feel valued and part of a supportive team, they’re more likely to bring their best selves to work.

That drives the whole company forward.

Mike’s all about helping business owners and employees find that balance between work and personal happiness.

He’s big on creating spaces where people feel appreciated and engaged without burning out.

His new book, The Happy Business Revolution, is coming out soon, and he has some great ideas about how to improve workplaces for everyone.

Stay tuned for more, and let’s keep working towards happier, more purpose-driven workplaces!

Here's a quick clip from our interview...

2. The 3 Elements of Powerful Partnerships

When asked how I plan for growth in 2024, my answer was simple: partnerships and collaboration.

They're the secret sauce to supercharging your business growth.

Think about it—big brands leverage partnerships all the time. Take Nespresso and George Clooney, for instance. This collaboration transformed Nespresso from a clunky office coffee machine company into a luxury coffee brand.

Partnerships work wonders, but only if they're genuine and mutually beneficial.

The key is to focus on what you can offer your partners. What value do you bring to the table? Successful partnerships are never one-sided—they’re about creating win-win situations.

Here are three crucial elements to consider when building partnerships, whether you’re in software or manufacturing:

1. Brand → Trust: Does your brand build credibility and trust in the partnership, or do you need to partner with a brand that does?

2. Distribution → Reach: How can you expand each other's audience and market presence?

3. Product → Value: What unique value does your product bring to the partnership?

Right now, we're teaming up with a community of purpose-driven entrepreneurs to create a unique experience for their members.

They bring trust and reach while we add value and reach. It's a perfect example of how partnerships can drive growth by combining strengths.

Remember, always aim to bring two elements of the equation. This balanced approach ensures a strong, successful partnership.

3. How Much Do You Invest in Your Own Business? 

A recent conversation with a coaching client raised an important question: Is it wise to invest in your own business by buying back equity from partners or outside investors?

Here are some key factors to consider before making that decision:

1. Company Health: Is your business experiencing a turnaround? Investing during a distressed phase is risky, but if you’re confident in a positive financial trajectory, it might be a golden opportunity.

2. Commitment to the Company: How long do you plan to stay involved? If your timeline is short, it might not be worth the investment, especially if you need to liquidate other assets or take on debt.

3. Path to Liquidity: Ensure there’s a clear exit strategy. If the business is family-owned and not planning to sell, reconsider unless you have a buyback guarantee.

Potential Benefits: Investing in private companies can yield higher returns than public ones. As a CEO, your unique insights position you well to capitalize on future opportunities.

Risk of Concentrated Wealth: Consider whether your wealth is overly tied to your business. Diversify to mitigate risks before investing more.

Ultimately, the lesson is clear: If you can invest in your business while managing personal risks, it’s a bet worth making.

One Quote to Start Your Week Strong

Whatever is going on right now, keep pushing forward. The only way out is through.

You’ll emerge stronger and wiser.

Embrace the journey and let it transform you.

You've got this.

Have a great week!

- Jean

When you are ready, here are 3 ways I can help:  

1. Assess your Business's scalability: Benchmark your business's potential for scaling. In just five minutes, you can assess your company against the 6 key systems you need to activate to ignite compound growth. Get your results here.

2. The Foundations for Business Growth Masterclass:  When you are ready to scale your business, we run a Foundation for Business Growth Masterclass twice a month. Signup here.

3. Are you a CEO who wants to find business momentum, scale up, and boost your business value? Apply for Business Team Coaching here.