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The Five Year Mark: Lessons Learnt Chasing a Dream
The Five Year Mark is collection of personal stories and lessons I have learnt , while building a business. In short, easy to read chapters, I cover a range of principles and lessons learnt during our company’s first five years, including: vision; leadership; operations; personal development; culture and more.
In many ways, this book is something I wish I could have read during the early years of my entrepreneurial journey. It would have saved me some time and money, and I would be further along the way to entrepreneurial success than I am today. My hope is that this book helps you build and grow your business to the next… Five Year Mark
In many ways, this book is something I wish I could have read during the early years of my entrepreneurial journey. It would have saved me some time and money, and I would be further along the way to entrepreneurial success than I am today. My hope is that this book helps you build and grow your business to the next… Five Year Mark
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2016
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Mike Saunders
27 books15 followersMike Saunders is an entrepreneur who is passionate about helping businesses grow through technology and people. His love for technology is manifest in DigitLab, a digital marketing agency he founded in 2010.
He runs his own consultancy Brave Narrative helping aspiring and existing leaders find their story, and equipping them with the tools to live it out.
His latest startup is OpusNuro that creates a platform to take software startups into Africa.
He runs his own consultancy Brave Narrative helping aspiring and existing leaders find their story, and equipping them with the tools to live it out.
His latest startup is OpusNuro that creates a platform to take software startups into Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 1, 2017
This book is fantastic for aspiring entrepreneurs. Some great principles that can be applied to any business. Quick read too :)
July 18, 2017
Mike Saunders is a true gentleman and restored my faith in humanity. “The Five Year Mark”, was an awesome read, and I would recommend it to any entrepreneur, or leader in the creative industry. It’s about helping people and seeing the potential in others. It’s about nurturing talent and using these skills to build a great team.
January 23, 2018
Mike has a great way of cutting through the clutter and giving solid, practical advice. In fact, he doesn't give advice -he just tells his story and allows you to draw your own conclusions as to how his experiences can impact your life. The book is easy to follow, and extremely relateable for any small business entrepreneur.
August 29, 2017
Anyone who is looking for inspiration and direction should read this book. Easy to read, yet has made the biggest impact of all the business books I've read. Full of sound principles to assist entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders navigate their way through the myriad challenges of business. Will no doubt be dipping in and out of this book again and again. Highly recommended!
September 6, 2017
A great simple and clear hand book for the start up entrepreneur. lots of nuggets on the "how to" I liked Mikes readiness to use mentors and counsel to ensure success.
August 29, 2017
It feels weird to be able to review my own book. So I'll review the writing process instead. I enjoyed writing this book, I believe the process added more value to my life and anyone who may read this book. Taking the time to understand your entrepreneurial journey is an incredibly rich experience that helps you to be purposeful with your business and your future.
So I hope you enjoy the learnings outlined in this book. Learning them have been valuable moments in my life.
So I hope you enjoy the learnings outlined in this book. Learning them have been valuable moments in my life.
February 1, 2017
In 1989, Mr Lacy-Smith, my youthful English school teacher taught me only 2 things that I will never forget;
KIS(S) Keep It Simple (Stupid)
Life is tough, Africa is tough, and this is Africa! (“Africa” was his cane when corporate punishment was still a thing!)
The Five Year Mark keeps to the KIS(S) principle and is simple, but not in the negative connotation of the word. Its simplistically beautiful in the way Mike has delivered his learning’s through story telling and honesty. I spend my life coaching business owners that are like-minded to Mike and who would greatly appreciate and benefit from some of the agency life wisdom Mike shares. Mr Lacy-Smith would be proud.
You know how sometimes you read business books and they make a great point right in the opening pages and then labour on with 15 more chapters proving their point (which you already believed in)? Well, this is not one of those books. Mike has increased the number of chapters but kept them short and to the point, each one being a unique idea or realisation and then he moves on quickly. There is a lot to absorb and take notes on especially for young budding entrepreneurs, regardless of their industry, that want to grow their own organisation.
From Leadership, operations, culture to failure, the content covers the hard truths of starting a business, hiring and caring for people and the value of communicating an overarching strategy and even though Mike gives away some valuable Intellectual property, its forthright and sincere. I’m an uncomplicated man who enjoys reading business books that don’t take months to complete or frustrate me. I want to learn, I want insight and I want to put the book down having enjoyed the journey.
Life is Tough, Africa is tough and this is Africa and yet Digitlab has thrived in its first 5 years in Africa. The Five Year Mark delivers value in spades and is a timeless business book that is not localised in nature. Here is to the next 5 years and the on-going success of Digitlab, I can’t wait to read the 10 Year Mark.
KIS(S) Keep It Simple (Stupid)
Life is tough, Africa is tough, and this is Africa! (“Africa” was his cane when corporate punishment was still a thing!)
The Five Year Mark keeps to the KIS(S) principle and is simple, but not in the negative connotation of the word. Its simplistically beautiful in the way Mike has delivered his learning’s through story telling and honesty. I spend my life coaching business owners that are like-minded to Mike and who would greatly appreciate and benefit from some of the agency life wisdom Mike shares. Mr Lacy-Smith would be proud.
You know how sometimes you read business books and they make a great point right in the opening pages and then labour on with 15 more chapters proving their point (which you already believed in)? Well, this is not one of those books. Mike has increased the number of chapters but kept them short and to the point, each one being a unique idea or realisation and then he moves on quickly. There is a lot to absorb and take notes on especially for young budding entrepreneurs, regardless of their industry, that want to grow their own organisation.
From Leadership, operations, culture to failure, the content covers the hard truths of starting a business, hiring and caring for people and the value of communicating an overarching strategy and even though Mike gives away some valuable Intellectual property, its forthright and sincere. I’m an uncomplicated man who enjoys reading business books that don’t take months to complete or frustrate me. I want to learn, I want insight and I want to put the book down having enjoyed the journey.
Life is Tough, Africa is tough and this is Africa and yet Digitlab has thrived in its first 5 years in Africa. The Five Year Mark delivers value in spades and is a timeless business book that is not localised in nature. Here is to the next 5 years and the on-going success of Digitlab, I can’t wait to read the 10 Year Mark.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews