141 Alan Smith - Strategize or Struggle: Mastering SaaS Business Models

Traverse the landscape of digital product development as Jeff Mains sat down with Alan Smith, VP of Venture Development at FutureSight Ventures and co-founder of Strategyzer, to discuss the entrepreneurial journey, mindset, and the power of focusing on the present moment.

In the past 12 years, Alan has not only developed and successfully sold products and services worth $130 million but has also demonstrated his leadership prowess by building teams of up to 100 individuals. Alan, along with his team at Strategyzer, has contributed to the creation of one of the world's most widely acclaimed business systems, all while enjoying the process to the fullest.

Alan's insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for SaaS founders looking to scale their businesses and create a life of impact and freedom. By setting clear intentions, embracing daily rituals, reflecting on past experiences, and finding joy in the journey, founders can navigate the challenges and uncertainties of entrepreneurship with resilience and purpose.

Key Takeaways

[00:00:52] - Setting Themes and Rituals for Success

[00:05:34] - Reflecting on Progress and Setting Themes

[00:13:54] -Building vs. Buying a Product

[00:19:53] - Promoting From Within

[00:26:11] - Peaks and Valleys

[00:34:41] - Everyday Work and Business Success

[00:42:24] - The Concept of Venture Studio Model

[00:49:03] - The Importance of Niching Down

[00:51:43] - Alan's Journey and FutureSite Ventures

Tweetable Quotes

“If you can't change the experience, you can change your quality of the experience, how you're experiencing something.” - 00:31:30 Alan Smith

“Every day should be a day where we celebrate the win, which is getting to do the work you wanna do.” - 00:36:24 Alan Smith

“There's all of the stuff like no matter what we're doing, we can't take ourselves too seriously. It's because at the end of the day, you don't take it with you and none of it lasts that long anyway.” - 00:37:31 Alan Smith

“But the thing that does last is it's those people that are with you on the journey. It's the relationships that you build and those things are so much more valuable.” - 00:38:01 Alan Smith

“The future is a made-up construct in our minds of something that we think is maybe going to happen or maybe not, or we're entertaining for a moment. And the past is the same.” - 00:40:21 Alan Smith

“Instead of a list of resolutions, ideas, goals, or maybe wishes, consider setting a theme for the year. Maybe it's growth, maybe it's balance, innovation.” - 00:03:41 Jeff Mains

SaaS Leadership Lessons

Simplify and focus: It's easy to get caught up in complexity and overcomplicate things. Instead, strive to simplify the approach and focus on the core problems they are trying to solve. By narrowing focus, leaders can allocate their resources more effectively and increase their chances of success.
Be present: The future and the past are constructs of our minds. The only moment that truly exists is the present. Cultivate a mindset of presence and focus on the work done in the here and now.
Find joy and fun: Building a business is a challenging endeavor, but it doesn't have to be devoid of joy and fun. Strive to infuse work with a sense of enjoyment and create a positive and engaging environment for themselves and their teams. Celebrating wins, fostering a supportive culture, and finding fulfillment in daily work can make the entrepreneurial journey more rewarding.
Learn from mistakes: Mistakes are inevitable in entrepreneurship, but they also present valuable learning opportunities. Approach mistakes with a growth mindset and view them as opportunities for personal and professional growth. By reflecting on past mistakes and understanding their root causes, it can make better decisions and avoid repeating the same errors in the future.
Celebrate Continuity and Reflect on Progress: It's crucial to celebrate the continuum of efforts, embracing the lessons learned, and leveraging them to propel the company forward. This reflection isn't just about change; it's about evolution.

Guest Resources

Alan Smith (Linkedin): https://www.linkedin.com/in/thinksmith/

FutureSight (Website): https://futuresight.ventures/

Strategyzer (Website): https://www.strategyzer.com/

Resources Mentioned

FutureSight (Website): https://futuresight.ventures/

Strategyzer (Website): https://www.strategyzer.com/

Business Model Generation book: https://www.amazon.com/Business-Model-Generation-Visionaries-Challengers/dp/0470876417

Who: The A Method for Hiring It book: https://whothebook.com/

Peak and Valleys book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6125225-peaks-and-valleys

Atomic Habits book: https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

Episode Sponsor

The ultimate resource for SaaS founders and C-suite executives to continue to develop themselves, scale their companies, and never walk alone on the journey. We are kicking off a new growth accelerator/scale-up this month and I would love for you to be a part of it. You've navigated the startup storms and emerged victorious. Now, it's time to elevate from success to significance. Executive Navigation is the tailored B2B SaaS accelerator for companies aiming to move from at least $1M ARR to $10M - $20M in ARR and more. No fluff, just the hard-hitting strategies you need, at the right time. We focus on capital-efficient growth, profitability that lasts, and achieving the kind of valuation that's not just impressive, but impactful. You'll gain access to a network of peers, bespoke growth plans, and the kind of operational excellence that frees you to focus on what matters PLUS enjoy the success you've built. It's time to step beyond the day-to-day grind, to lead with vision and live with freedom. If you're ready to not just lead but redefine your market, visit https://championleadership.com/ - where leaders evolve and companies transform. Apply to join the next cohort - now is the time to scale up.

Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/