How Two Founders Unlocked Business Growth Through a One-Day Swap
No matter how informed or skilled we are, we all have blind spots that limit our ability to grow. Recognizing this, Micah and Matt, two entrepreneurs, came up with a creative and effective solution to tackle the problem: “Growth Executives Swap Companies for a Day.”
This simple yet innovative strategy led to:
- A dramatic increase in revenue.
- A flood of communications from potential investors and backers.
- Greater staff engagement, with team members stepping up to lead strategic company activities.
Here’s a breakdown of their strategy and why it worked:
The Growth Executive Swap: Step-by-Step
Step 1: The Proposal
Micah reached out to Matt with this simple offer:
“I’ll spend a day at your office identifying blind spots and offering suggestions for improvement, and you’ll do the same for me. You in?”
Both founders and their management teams agreed, seeing the potential value in a fresh perspective.
Step 2: Preparing for the Swap
A few days before the swap, both parties:
- Shared data and operational overviews of their companies.
- Prepared key metrics and processes, such as margins, virality, email marketing strategies, hiring practices, and customer personas.
This ensured that each person walked into the other’s company with a solid understanding of its foundation.
Step 3: The Day of the Swap
On the day of the swap, each executive:
- Spent the morning asking questions—a lot of them. Topics ranged from:
- Margins and seasonal buying patterns.
- Virality and lifetime value (LTV).
- Hiring history and branding strategies.
- Conversion rates and untapped acquisition channels.
This questioning helped uncover blind spots, overlooked opportunities, and inefficiencies.
Step 4: Drafting Actionable Feedback
In the afternoon, both executives created a detailed document that included:
- Macro Opinions on the Business: High-level insights into the company’s direction and challenges.
- Time & Headspace Strategies: Ideas to help leadership save time and focus on higher-priority tasks.
- Growth Strategy Feedback: An analysis of what’s working, what’s missing, and opportunities for improvement.
- Tactical Ideas: Specific, actionable suggestions for untapped areas, such as marketing channels or process improvements.
Step 5: Sharing Feedback Publicly
The feedback documents weren’t just shared privately. Micah and Matt:
- Shared them with their respective teams, ensuring transparency and alignment.
- Made them available to the public, demonstrating thought leadership and inviting broader collaboration.
Why This Strategy Worked
- Fresh Perspectives:
Each executive brought an outsider’s unbiased view, spotting issues and opportunities that the internal team might overlook. - Focused Collaboration:
The structured approach—morning questioning, afternoon documentation—ensured they covered a wide range of business areas systematically. - Actionable Insights:
The deliverables weren’t just theoretical—they provided tangible, tactical advice that could be implemented immediately. - Employee Engagement:
Sharing the findings inspired team members to take ownership of new initiatives, driving better results. - Credibility and Exposure:
Sharing their experiences and feedback publicly positioned both founders as thought leaders, attracting interest from investors and collaborators.
Key Takeaways for Your Business
- Embrace External Feedback:
Partner with peers or mentors to gain fresh insights into your business. - Prepare Thoroughly:
Share data and metrics in advance to ensure a productive review. - Focus on Actionable Outcomes:
Structure your feedback to include high-level strategy and tactical advice that teams can act on immediately. - Leverage Transparency:
Sharing insights publicly can enhance credibility and attract opportunities.
Micah and Matt’s Growth Executive Swap is a powerful reminder of the value of collaboration, transparency, and external perspectives. Their approach didn’t just solve problems—it unlocked new levels of growth and engagement.
What blind spots could you uncover with a fresh pair of eyes?
Source: www.medium.com/the-mission/startup-swingers-3a22481c6357