3 Challenges of Mid-Cycle Entrepreneurs

In the years working with Jaime, I’ve found him to be one of the most inspirational individuals with exceptional managerial talents. His leadership is characterized by intellectual confidence, outstanding professional integrity and a positive can-do motivational style. He is driven and consistently leads his team to the top…

- Joyce Moroney
Executive Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
GlaxoSmithkline

(In Jaime)…I found a leader that truly embodies “going the extra mile” for his people. His impact was felt immediately, turning an underperforming team into one of the region’s top districts, and this was accomplished in less than 1 year. (Jaime’s) success is directly attributed to his strategic analysis, outside-the-box thinking, and team-directed approach that made this entire district feel empowered to overcome any challenge… In one word, Jaime is a WINNER!

- Frank Gaviria
Executive I Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
GlaxoSmithkline

I had the pleasure of working with Jaime for several years and would recommend him highly and without reservation. He took over an under-performing team and turned it around very quickly, earning top marks both nationally and regionally on an annual basis. His ability to create a positive, winning environment where people enjoyed their work and exceeded their goals was without peer in the region. He also was willing to share ideas on competitive advantages and able to give sound advice when asked.

- Vince Botta
Senior District Sales Manager
GlaxoSmithkline

Jaime is a people-oriented manager who understands how to extract the best out of those who work for and with him. He is truly dedicated, creative, and driven. Jaime’s combination of emotional intelligence and business savvy make him an excellent leader… His guidance and perspective helped me tremendously, not only in attaining my short term goals, but also planning for future career growth.

- Christopher Gerbino
Senior Therapeutic Specialist
GlaxoSmithkline

…Jaime’s professionalism and commitment to deliver results is unsurpassed. His creativity and leadership skills will bring value to any company that offers him the opportunity. His ability to work as a team in a complex matrix environment has been instrumental for (our company).

- Raphael Heber
Manager of Training Operations
GlaxoSmithkline

Jaime is a self-starter, very intelligent, and possesses a great attitude – all of which make him a real pleasure to be around. He helped us through some very challenging times with his quick thinking and can-do attitude. I am certain Jaime would be an asset to any company lucky enough to work with him.

- Frank Sonntag
Executive Director
The Parsons Dance Company

It’s an understatement to say that what you have done with (our sales personnel) is spectacular!

- Cesar Quintero
Owner
Fit2Go

I know that you’ll succeed in helping others with their goals and in so, giving them the empowerment to help reach them. You are such an inspiration and motivator. Your positive attitude, your outlook on life and more than anything, your beautiful soul shines through you!

- Rose Beauclair
Choreographer and Dance Teacher
Ballet Teatro de Puerto Rico

… What impressed me most at the time was Jaime’s ability to pull the many ideas and concepts together into a solid action plan. He is a natural communicator with a knack for getting right to the heart of the situation to develop the best solution…

- Michele Hemric
Director of Training & Development
Builders Mutual Insurance Company

Jaime’s passion for developing others and the integrity with which he represents himself … are outstanding. Jaime’s achievements have been constantly recognized throughout the many roles he has occupied within (our organization)

- Jeffrey Dugdale
Professional Trainer
GlaxoSmithkline

Jaime is a strong professional with an invaluable breadth of experience who is always looking for ways to make old things work in a new way in order to make those who work with him successful every time…

- Luis A Echevarria, MBA
Senior Marketing & Sales Representative/Trainer
King Pharmaceuticals

(Jaime)…possesses the utmost skills in leadership and individualizes his skills to make each person become the best that they can become. He allows everyone under his leadership to grow like you never thought capable of growing…

- Hilda Grao-Martinez
Sr. Executive Sales Representative
GlaxoSmithkline

Jaime, I wanted to thank you for your friendship and your coaching. It has been VERY beneficial to me, truly. As I told you, you make me think, you make me ask myself questions I would not ordinarily, and that has made a world of difference in my life.

- Josefina Matos
Regional Office Administrator
GlaxoSmithkline

3 Challenges of Mid-Cycle Entrepreneurs

“We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.” – Albert Einstein

Let’s face it, it is very difficult – and a lot of hard work – for anyone to build a business. A lot of trial and error is part of growth and eventually achieving stability. So why do entrepreneurs seem to get “stuck” at times in the growth and management of their businesses? Let’s take a look at three very common obstacles that I have come across in my work with entrepreneurs and small businesses.

1. Stakes are higher – When we have built a business and it is considered to be mid-cycle in its own industry, we usually bring others on board to assist in reaching our goals. That means that we’re not only thinking of how any major change may impact those that work with and for us, but how those decisions can also affect other things, like major investments (i.e. property, buildings, etc.). Thus, the decisions are harder to make because the stakes are higher, and we may not trust our instincts.

2. Decisions are different – In the growth and development stage of your business, you may be accustomed to a certain type – and level – of decision making. But, as today’s quote clearly references, it takes a different way of thinking in order to achieve a different kind of result. Different decisions require different thinking.

3. Our own selves – It is a lot harder to take risks when you’re emotionally invested in what you’ve built. This is a phase that every entrepreneur goes through. As your business grows, there is a tendency to develop a sense of pride that is usually accompanied by possessiveness – and all of it is emotional. What you may not see at this stage is that on the other side of risk and further growth is a much greater reward. Also, we may fail to realize that the size of the risk is commensurate to the level of attachment we have to our business. In other words, the risks and challenges may not be as intense as we perceive them to be.

So what do we do in this situation? Define the risk. Then, find a way to transform it from simply ‘risky’ to a calculated risk. Take your emotions out of the way and do your due diligence to ensure that the decisions are the best ones and have the highest probability of delivering on the expected result.

Keep yourself in check and remember that thinking differently and taking different actions will help you achieve different results.

WE CAN HELP!
- You don’t have an idea of what you want to do? We can help you with that.
- You need a sounding board that will be non-judgmental and objective? We can help with that.
- You need assistance to keep yourself focused on strengthening the core of what you want to do? We can help with that.
- You want someone by your side to hold you accountable to ensure you make it to the finish line? We can help with that.

Our passion is to help people in all these areas and nothing gives us more satisfaction than to witness the amazement in people as they surpass all they thought they could achieve. This is what we live for – give us a call and give us the chance to work for you and your dreams, too. We specialize in coaching the development of people and businesses, helping them achieve the growth they desire by discovering and maximizing their talents and strengths and those of their employees. We also coach students to discover early on in life what their talents and passions are and how to maximize these to achieve a more successful life. Take the challenge to discover your own passions and happiness find your own inspiration and/or learn to inspire others – ask us about The Passionate Future Project!

When you contact us, our president Jaime Yordán-Frau will personally assist you in exploring your own possibilities. Give us a call at Integro Success Unlimited or drop us an email and let’s have a thorough conversation (free-of-charge) to explore how we can help you reach your full potential and achieve levels of success that go beyond your own expectations.