Chris Calcagno’s Post

Are your co-workers family? Perhaps it is just my pet peeve, but NO, co-workers are NOT family. Mergers & Acquisitions happen, people get laid off, departments get reorganized, and business sometimes declines forcing leaders to make painful decisions regarding the go forward team. Please don’t get me wrong, I am by no means suggesting we don’t get close to co-workers. We should have tight bonds with them. We spend more time with our co-workers sometimes than with our actual families. The people we work with are another community in our lives. We want that community to be one with tight bonds, where individuals support and care for each other. A community where everyone knows the goal and is working together with purpose and fun to achieve it. Community, not family.

Work really starting to p!ss you off? Here’s why ⤵️ When discontentment at work sets in, You may feel out of whack. You just can’t put your finger on what, Yet something isn’t right. It’s not what it used to be. It’s likely that your values are no longer aligned. Perhaps it’s: 🤷♀️ that your ‘balance’ feels off 🤷♀️ you feel taken for granted, not recognised 🤷♀️ you’re asked to do things that don’t sit right 🤷♀️ you fundamentally disagree on certain things It happens: - mergers or acquisitions - new management or boss - change in strategy or reorganisation When you know your values, You can assess whether you’re living into them, Or against them. Our values are our North Star. So, if something isn’t right - maybe it’s time to listen. ❓Feeling like this post was written for you? ❓Want to explore what options you have next? ➡️ Send me a DM with the word ‘VALUES’ and let’s chat!

Are you maximizing the value of your business relationships? 🤝 In the world of mergers, acquisitions, and startup growth, it's often the strength of your network that makes or breaks a deal. But beyond just expanding your contact list, there’s an art to nurturing these relationships into meaningful partnerships. Whether it's through consistent engagement, providing value without immediate expectation of return, or simply remembering to send a personalized note on special occasions - each action builds trust and mutual respect. So, ask yourself: Are you investing in your network with the same rigor as you do in your business? Because at the end of the day, people do business with those they know, like, and trust. Take a moment today to reach out to someone in your network. A small gesture could lead to your next big opportunity.

I recently read that 70-90% of mergers fail. Think about that—huge companies with vast resources, experienced teams, and detailed strategies don't always get it right. Yet, I see so many small business owners being incredibly hard on themselves when they try something once, and it doesn’t work out the way they expect. Here's the truth: failure is a part of growth. Even the biggest companies don't get it right every time, so why do we, as small business owners, feel like we need to be perfect? Let’s shift our perspective—setbacks aren’t signs of failure; they’re opportunities for growth, learning, and refinement. If you're putting yourself out there, experimenting, and learning—you’re doing exactly what you should be. Keep going. The magic happens when we embrace the process and let go of the pressure to get it right the first time. xoxo, your recovering perfectionist friend

Market research is all too often thought of as something for large companies with big budgets. But there are questions small business owners can ask 👇 Today on the Book More Show, I'm talking with Grant C. Gooding of Proof Positioning about the secrets of market research for small businesses. Starting his career in mergers and acquisitions, Grant was a customer of market research provided by some large organizations. Realizing they were great at providing data but not insights into what the data practically meant, Grant started Proof to bridge that gap and provide actionable market-driven intelligence. We focused our conversation on how market research can help small and medium-sized companies determine what questions matter when growing their business. Having personally had preconceived ideas that market research was only an option for big companies with significant budgets, it was revealing to see just how accessible it is and how Proof's methodology marries with our approach to creating books. Both aim to answer potential clients' most pressing questions and start a conversation. There are a lot of valuable ideas here as you look to use a book to build your business. I'll put a link to the full episode in the comments.

When it comes to building a business empire, consistency starts with your very first acquisition. Your first move isn't just about buying a business—it’s about acquiring the RIGHT one. In the latest issue of Acquisitions Edge, I unpacked the strategy behind why the right first acquisition can unlock new opportunities like roll-up and bolt-on strategies that lead to exponential growth. Last week, 170 readers explored: ↠ The importance of a strategic vision for your acquisition journey. ↠ How to avoid common pitfalls when purchasing your first business. ↠ Strategies for using your acquisition as a launchpad for future growth. Missed the issue? Get it here ↓ https://lnkd.in/gYgxZ6Zh

Transform Your Life in Just 12 Months It’s Tuesday, and it’s time to focus on action! In just 12 months, you can learn how to acquire 5 companies using our 6-step blueprint. From deal sourcing to closing and scaling your acquisitions, this program is all about achieving tangible results. Don’t let lack of capital hold you back we’ll teach you how to structure deals with little to no upfront investment.💰 Only 10 seats available this year will you take one of them? Schedule your free strategy call today! #TuesdayTransformation #BusinessGrowth #M&AStrategy #WealthBuilding #12MonthPlan

🚀 Day 19 of 40: Launch Video Update – Business “&” Pairings 🚀 Happy Monday! Shooting at the Ampersand Building was like mixing peanut butter and jelly – a perfect pairing where we got to play and explore the '&' universe. From Batman & Robin to Ben & Jerry, we showed off powerful business pairing and the endless potential '&' inspires. Collaboration & Partnerships The '&' in our discussion acts as a bridge, connecting diverse industries to create a fusion of ideas and capabilities. By integrating vertical products and engaging with affiliate networks, we can break down traditional barriers, sparking innovation and expanding our reach. This is where 1+1 equals more than 2, a testament to multiplying through the power of collaboration. Research & Development '&' embodies the critical link between curiosity and creation. This segment celebrates the relentless quest for the next groundbreaking innovation that continuously refreshes the marketplace. Mergers & Acquisitions '&' symbolizes the strategic combination of forces in mergers and acquisitions, transcending mere partnerships to blend visions and values. Strategies like roll-ups and leveraged buyouts can accelerate the path to growth, leveraging the strengths and assets of combined entities for enhanced value and expanded capabilities. 💡 I'm eager to hear your reflections or experiences on the power of '&' in your business practices. How have you seen '&' catalyze change or foster growth in your field? Share your insights and let's engage in a rich discussion below! #PeanutButter&Jelly    #Batman&Robin #Ben&Jerry

We’re excited to introduce BuyToGrow, where we help small and medium-sized businesses scale faster and smarter by buying other businesses. For many business owners, growth can feel like an uphill battle—finding new customers, building out new services, or expanding into new markets. But what if there was a faster way? Acquisitions allow you to: ✅ Expand your market reach. ✅ Add new capabilities or services. ✅ Outpace competitors with speed and efficiency. At BuyToGrow, we simplify the entire process: 1️⃣ We help you identify the perfect business to acquire. 2️⃣ We guide you through negotiations and due diligence. 3️⃣ We ensure a smooth integration, so your growth doesn’t miss a beat. Whether you’re new to acquisitions or looking to scale up your strategy, we’re here to make it easy, effective, and profitable. If you’ve ever wondered how buying a business could transform your growth, let’s talk! 💬 What are your biggest questions about acquiring a business? Drop them in the comments or message us—we’d love to help! #BusinessGrowth #Acquisitions #SMEGrowth #ScalingMadeSimple

There’s GOT to be more to life than the bottom line. There’s got to be more to WORK than the bottom line. What are we even doing? And for WHAT? I really don’t understand. What is financial growth FOR? Why do mergers and acquisitions happen? Why is a company going public the ultimate measure of success? Why are billion dollar milestones even celebrated? What purpose does this all serve? Explain it to me like I’m a 5-year old. Really, take a minute and ask yourself those questions. Jot down your answers. Then follow up with asking, “and why does that matter?” Keep digging, keeping asking why. Until you get to the end. What reasons did you come up? I’d *actually* love to hear. All I know is, This can’t be it. This CAN’T be how we spend the majority of our lives. These can’t be the milestones and goals we strive for. This can’t be what all THIS (flails arms around, motioning at LinkedIn) is for. This ISN’T 👏🏻WHY 👏🏻WE’RE 👏🏻HERE. That’s it for now. No call to action. Just a rant. (I would really like to hear your answers to those questions though!)