As I am searching for sustainable impact I am slowly finding my way.
Acquisitions are part of my strategy. But there are some hurdles to take. More on that in a moment.
A sidenote (site note): At this blog – were I not only recently changed my tagline to ‘searching for sustainable impact’ – I edited the title for both the .nl and the .com site from houdyk.nl and houdyk.com respectively to @houdyk. Thats my handle and I have it registerred for twitter and youtube – I do not care mutch about other platforms. I see it more as a way of expressing what happens at houdyk. You can also reach me emailing jeroen@houdyk.com so there you are.
Last week I wrote on LinkedIn about a strategic session I had with me, myself and I. Some time for reflection is important to be able to work ON your business in stead of IN your business.
My thoughts fly away agian. Another sidenote about my posts on LinkedIn. That is where I write in Dutch now. Therefor, my “international” outlet for my thougts has to find a place here. It was a hard choice, because of my international ambitions. But sometimes you have to take a step back to be able to grow. Back to The Netherlands and make things work here first. Therefore. Local client acquisiton first.
What businesses in The Netherlands?
This is a little inside peak view for the few that will read this. The concept of build in public is appealing, a way to create content ánd a following for later purpose. But it feels a little uncomfortable, to share this early on. Anyway, here is a sketch I made to re-organise my activities.
It may seem like nothing special. A holding company with a working company to handle all the operations. But it took me some time to realize I do not want to give up any equity for the things I have been beelding so far with my own hands.
Realizing that, it became clear that íf I want to raise capital at some point, this will be in a seperate entity. To be able to get to this point, today I need to organise ongoing operations much better.
I had one more key insight.
We all know focus is important, so starting a new initiative every year (as I have been doing so far) is not going to help. On the other side, doing the some thing all over and expecting a different outcome is the definition of insanity.
So. I looked at my current acivities to see where there is potential revenue hidden.
Two idea’s popped up all of a sudden:
Hosting Services for Real Estate
Over the past few years I have improved my server space dramatically. This was required for A: internal use and B: in house Projects. On purpose I did not focus on C: client hosting. Because I was developing my marketing skills and I did not feel I could offer anything differentiating regarding webhosting.
Now I have a VPS with certain over capacity. My virtual real estate is being under used! It is like having a five floor office building and using only one floor…
I suppose, that if I give this some thougt. I can come up with a plan to rent the extra capacity of my server to generate extra cashflow. Eventually, this can become a whole new branch of my services. I should offer hosting as part of the package in some way. I run the server anyways.
Rent to Rent – Office Arbitrage
The analogy of an empty office building made me wonder why not to do thát as well. For some time I am looking for ways to get a proper office, but simply renting a single office does not make me enthousiastic at all. The idea that I will be making someone else wealtier every month is chewing at me. I can be the landlord here!
In stead of my office – like my server – becoming another cost for the business. It must become an asset. I imagine an inspiring place with certain shared facilities that benefit all users. 1+1=3 It may have a co-work space or meeting rooms, and space outside. With a nice view.
Well… I need to go and work a bit IN my business now. In the meanwhile these two ideas for new revenue out of existing activities (overhead!) are getting shape and converting into plans.
Do you also think Hanibal, Cigar, when I say plan? Or is it just me.
Love it. When a plan comes together.