The Gratitude Network
Coaches, Expert Advisors, Cohort Peers, and the Leadership Team
2014 Gratitude Award winner, Alejandro Gac-Artigas (Springboard Collaborative) with Ed Catmull, Super-Mentor (President of Disney and Pixar Animation Studios
In essence, we view the entrepreneurial / start-up process as a series of Problems to be Solved (PTS) at each stage of the company’s life-cycle. Very early companies typically have a PTS related to product/market fit, team-building and product development . Mid-stage start-ups have a PTS of getting to the right business model and go-to-market strategy . Later stage companies have a PTS of partnering, scaling, and getting to profitability and ultimately exit.
The focus for the Gratitude Network is largely companies that have received some early funding, have completed their first product, have some customers ….and are now scaling outside their initial community, school system, or market, the PTS’s that we are often solving for include:
- How do we set up the business model of our company for scale?
- Who is missing from the current team that will be needed for scale?
- How do we fund our growth?
- Which partnership opportunities should we pursue?
- How do we strengthen our brand?
- How do I expand within geography xyz?
- Where do I go for funding at this stage?
The Gratitude asks our Expert Advisors to help our Fellows understand their PTS, and get help in specific areas, like those above, and more.
Coaches & Expert Advisors by Steve Kirch
How our Expert Advisors Work with Our Coaches and Fellows
To address the PTS’s of each company we work with, the assigned Strategic Coach has been trained to recognize the unique PTS’s of each company we work with . They develop a rapport with the company, they take time to get to know each unique business and they come up with the HIGH VALUE AREAS that The Gratitude Network can offer assistance with.
Once a Strategic Coach has agreed with the founder/entrepreneur on core issues and where the most assistance is needed, the Strategic Coach taps into our extensive Expert Advisor Database, coordinating with Gratitude Team Members to make personal introductions. Our database is comprised of Expert Advisors that our team has worked with over time, who represent knowledge in these areas:
- Organizational growth stage knowledge
- Team-building and development understanding
- Industry knowledge – education, business and non-profit experience
- Board expertise – experience with fiduciary responsibility at previous companies
- Functional knowledge — Sales, marketing, business development, development,
- Geographical knowledge – operation knowledge of U.S., Latin America, African and the India markets
To date, we are working with 50+ mentors on this effort.
The Gratitude Network is composed of
Strategic Coaches
meet regularly with each leader and identify the best challenges for the Gratitude Network to contribute to, as well as work to develop their leadership skills, diagnose need for Expert Advisors, and coach them deeply on a myriad of issues leaders encounter
Expert Advisors
are specialists who are available to address issues/challenges that are uncovered by the Strategic Coach and company leaders. A Fellow might meet with as many as three Expert Advisors during their Fellowship year
Cohort peers
the cohort meets together bi-monthly with an organized agenda led by Gratitude team members. Each meeting features leader updates, a learning module and CEO Roundtable problem solving time. In addition, the cohort members are encouraged to meet informally in small groups and one on one on other issues
