We strive to partner with best-in-niche, service companies within 150 miles of Lafayette, Indiana. Call us first. We are presently looking for teams of 25-100 people to join our company. If we're not the ideal, permanent home for your company, we'll try to be helpful. It's our home, too. Call us first.
Selling is a big deal. The last thing you need is an unprepared buyer who might screw it up.
FOUNDERS
Daryl Starr
Mikel Berger
Latest Blog Posts
Management’s Critical Functions
If a group of people want to achieve something special they require a boss who sets the pace, enforces standards, and demands focus. Let’s break this down a bit. A company is a group of people gathered around an idea. I like this definition because it reminds me of the old saying, “We are having Read more about Management’s Critical Functions[…]
On Being a Serial Obsessor
I have been called a “serial entrepreneur.” I have recently been describing myself as “an entrepreneur turned investor.” This morning, I read a descriptive phrase that better fits the present phase of my life and doesn’t negate my historical experience. I am a “serial obsessor.” I am a serial obsessor. I have recently been obsessed Read more about On Being a Serial Obsessor[…]
2022 Annual Meeting
The partners of Little Engine Ventures are invited to gather. We will confront our progress and blunders over the last 12 months and try to explain how our thinking has evolved since launch and where that may take us on our journey ahead. No questions are off limits. Come early. Stay late. Enjoy our city Read more about 2022 Annual Meeting[…]
Net Promoter Score (NPS) in Baby Boomer Businesses
I have yet to meet a Baby Boomer Business Owner who references their NPS score as passionately as they ought. Why is that do you think? Is it a fad? Is it common sense? I used to think so. For 10 years I assumed it was tech-speak for something I already had and understood. That Read more about Net Promoter Score (NPS) in Baby Boomer Businesses[…]
Onboarding New Employees
In small business land, we make all sorts of errors. The greatest among them is probably our onboarding “processes.” Most of us stink at executing systematically. Why is that? In my 20 years of small business, the number one issue is the leader. Me, myself and I. Today, I consider myself an entrepreneur turned investor. Read more about Onboarding New Employees[…]
Whitepapers at Little Engine Ventures
I have habit of sending long emails from my iPhone. There is a joke that goes, “I didn’t have time to write a short message.” I have started placing in BOLD, the main points. My justification for the barrage is that I want people to be able to plumb the depths of my thinking as Read more about Whitepapers at Little Engine Ventures[…]
Consistency Versus Change
There is tension in business. One of those subtle challenges is determining when to stay the course in the face of opposition and when to change. Also, when do you stay the course when it’s working well, and not change faster (even when it’s really tempting!) I once described myself as an “addict of change.” Read more about Consistency Versus Change[…]
Creating a liturgy for your business
I’ve been in a low church tradition for 20+ years. Folks in our strain of Christianity have a sense of pride around our lack of formal rules in how we worship. But, we know a high church tradition by its formality and ritual practices. But I’ve come to understand that every church has its liturgy. Read more about Creating a liturgy for your business[…]
Reading Every Annual Report for an Industry
People have different ways of uncovering investment ideas. I have tried many of them. When it comes to investing in marketable securities, stock screens and friendly idea sharing appear to be the most popular. For the socially awkward –myself included– a stock screen seems like a great idea. Setup some mathematical filters and only the Read more about Reading Every Annual Report for an Industry[…]
What are your Key Processes?
Written by Daryl Starr. Inspired by @JoshSchultz All profitable businesses have a handful of Key Processes. These processes involve coordinating multiple people in various roles, each doing their own specialized procedures. Years ago –prior to Little Engine Ventures– I documented decision trees, printed and laminated them for my field technicians. This was extremely useful for Read more about What are your Key Processes?[…]