Why Buying is Better than Building for Small Business Growth: Insights from Engine 2s

In today’s uncertain economic climate, many small business leaders recognize the importance of developing and accelerating alternative engines of growth for the future. These new businesses, known as “Engine 2s,” use the scale benefits of the core business to grow faster than an independent start-up could. During downturns, companies make bold moves that enable them […]

Small Business Ownership: The Game of Life

Small business ownership can feel like a game, complete with ups, downs, and unexpected twists and turns. It’s a thrilling adventure, where success is determined by strategy, teamwork, and a never-say-die attitude. And like any good game, it takes a team to win. Just as the Chiefs and the Eagles will bring their A-game to […]

Why Every Company Needs to Think, Act and Look Like a Software Company: Insights from McKinsey’s Latest Research

As the world continues to become more and more digital, it’s becoming increasingly clear that every company is, in some way, a software company. This is a sentiment that was first expressed by Marc Andreessen over a decade ago, when he famously said that “software is eating the world.” Today, we can update that statement […]

Unlocking the Potential of Your Business: Why Every Company Needs an Operating Model (S&OP) and How Twelve31 Can Help

An Operating Model, also known as Demand Planning or Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), is a critical tool for businesses of all sizes and industries. It is a forecasting tool that compares projected numbers against actual numbers, allowing a company to realign its strategy in order to better balance supply and demand. S&OP is a […]

Creating Value Faster: A Playbook for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses in Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate combinations can be a powerful way for Small to Mid-Sized (SMB) businesses to create more value and growth opportunities. The goal for many SMB’s is to double or even triple revenues on the way to returning many times their initial investments. However, despite these ambitious goals, many SMB’s fail to […]

Creating a Winning Investment Thesis: How to Find the Best Businesses to Acquire as an Acquisition Entrepreneur

As an acquisition entrepreneur, finding the right business to acquire can be a daunting task. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start and what to look for. However, having a well-defined investment thesis can help you narrow down your options and find the businesses that are […]

Stepping Away from the Day-to-Day Operations of a Small Business: The Importance of Systematizing and Installing a Leadership Team

As a small business owner, it can be difficult to step away from the day-to-day operations of your company. You may feel like you’re the only one who can handle certain tasks, or that if you’re not there to oversee everything, things will fall apart. But the truth is, by systematizing your company and installing […]

Twelve31 Ventures Forms Hawkeye Home Services, Inc. to Drive Growth in Home Service Industry

Omaha, NE – Twelve31 Ventures, LLC is excited to announce the formation of Hawkeye Home Services, Inc., a platform company dedicated to the rollup acquisition of home service businesses in SW Iowa and SE Nebraska areas. The new entity will operate as a holding company, with the aim of acquiring and integrating home service companies […]

When things get rocky, practice deliberate calm

In unusually difficult situations, a counterintuitive response to stress is what many leaders should aim for, say Jacqueline Brassey, McKinsey senior knowledge expert, and McKinsey senior partner Aaron De Smet as they talk about their new book, Deliberate Calm: How to Learn and Lead in a Volatile World (HarperCollins, November 2022), on The McKinsey Podcast […]