This Isn't For You

This Isn't For You

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Marketing, Teams, Strategy, Sales

In the list of priorities of any organization, and specifically the management team, keeping everyone happy cannot be high up there. Any mission and its related strategy will - if done with concerted intent, structured focus and ability to execute in mind - polarize. That is, it will have its proponents and its detractors.

And if you, as a leader, have done your homework and have determined that that strategy is fit for purpose and the best path forward, then bringing everyone along cannot be a priority.

The Courage Of Our Convictions

The Courage Of Our Convictions

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Strategy, Teams

One of the hardest but most valuable abilities we can develop is the ability to maintain strength in our convictions, our beliefs and our vision. This is true in all walks of life, but particularly so where you’ve been tasked with achieving a specific objective or leading a team towards a particular end goal.

In that quest, you are called upon to define the specific path, chart out how best to navigate it, and then, as you embark on the journey, bring others with you.

When You Lack ‘The Brand’

When You Lack ‘The Brand’

Omer Abdullah
Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Marketing, Strategy, Sales

A lack of a brand is a forcing mechanism.

There’s nothing to hide behind, nothing to protect you or carry you in a conversation.

A lack of brand requires you to be crystal clear about what you have to offer and what you represent. It forces you to do the work, to the point that someone decides to engage with you - because the value you offer compels that engagement.

First Principles In Times Of Hyper Growth

First Principles In Times Of Hyper Growth

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Management Consulting, Marketing, Private Equity, Sales, Strategy, Teams

There’s an adrenaline rush, a state of heightened performance, that comes with growth, when things are going well. It’s a positive state because it’s a sign that others value what we’re doing and, by definition, in increasing numbers.

All of us want that kind of growth for our enterprises (and ourselves) because it is a sign that things are working. That kind of growth motivates the organization and pushes us to believe, commit ourselves and achieve more. All good things.

Setting Your Own Yardsticks

Setting Your Own Yardsticks

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Private Equity, Strategy, Sales

I read a tweet the other day about a founder who was worried that his company was growing at “only” 25% a year and, as a result, felt he needed to get bought.

Now, to any objective observer, if you were to set up a business that returned 25% top line growth year over year, that would be considered, without question, a successful enterprise. I mean, we’ve all heard that stat about how 80% of new businesses fail within the first year. So then to not only get past that but to also flourish and grow, is a heck of an achievement.

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 127

Omerisms Podcast - Episode 127

Omer Abdullah
Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Personal Codes, Teams

We throw around the word "partnership" pretty loosely. And often, when we do, we're sincere about it. But it's easy to talk about partnerships when there's nothing at stake.

You really find out whether you have a real partnership (or not) when problems arise. And in those moments, there's one trait that matters above all else, as I discuss in today's episode.

There Are No Grown-Ups

There Are No Grown-Ups

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Leadership, Life, Strategy

Near the end of Crypto.com’s SuperBowl commercial earlier this year, in which Lebron James goes back in time to talk to his 17 year old self, the younger Lebron asks his future self what’s most on his mind:

“Is the hype too much? Am I ready?”

He’s looking for reassurance, of course, some certainty that the choices he’s about to make, the risks he’s about to take, are the right ones. Valid concerns for a 17 year old.

Is Arson Your Business Model?

Is Arson Your Business Model?

Omer Abdullah
Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Teams

There’s a peculiar thing about the internet, and social media, in particular.

While it is this incredible and unparalleled form of communication, with a versatility and reach we’ve never seen before, it’s not without its issues (and material ones at that).

Central among these issues is that, while it’s ostensibly an objective and ‘fair’ medium, it also has the capacity - conceptually and practically - to set the world (or at least some relevant, targeted universe) on fire.

LinkedIn And The Modern Employee

LinkedIn And The Modern Employee

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Teams

LinkedIn is now giving people the option of adding a career break to their profiles. Instead of having an unexplained time gap between positions, you now have the option of adding a more specific (and appropriate) description of why you were in-between (traditional) jobs.

The options range from those we might expect (Full Time Parenting and Professional Development) to those we might not (Bereavement, Personal Goal Pursuit, Gap Year, Travel and Voluntary Work).

How Change Begins

How Change Begins

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Communications, Entrepreneurship, Creativity, Leadership, Life

Change doesn’t arise of its own accord. It needs a catalyst. And that catalyst usually comes in the form of pain, problems and (material) discomfort.

Charlize Theron, when commenting on the origins of the #MeToo movement said, “I think at the beginning of every revolution, there’s this opening of a wound.” Intuitively, we understand that - wounds instigates change, and that’s certainly what’s happened there.

Dealing With Ambiguity And Uncertainty

Dealing With Ambiguity And Uncertainty

Omer Abdullah
Aspirations, Careers, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Life, Strategy

A while ago, a good friend of mine sold his company in what was regarded by all parties as a wildly successful outcome. In a little over a decade, he had taken it from an idea to a material, profitable entity, one that was valued enough to be bought out by a major industry player.

From the outside looking in, then, every decision he ever made looked to be validated…

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