http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.ekoyou.co.nz en-us Tue, 15 Sep 2026 14:33:34 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/166334/illusion-to-insight-the-xerox-trap-when-what-made-us-successful-stops-us-changing/ A number of years ago, I spent some time working with Xerox in the UK. Xerox had been synonymous with photocopying for so long that its name had become a verb. You didn’t photocopy something; you “Xeroxed” it. It is hard to imagine a stronger position for any company to hold in its market.When I was there, however, things were radically different. I was working with one of the directors, and I remember him reflecting on the journey the company had been through and how quickly a position th... Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post166334 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/167419/founders-letting-go-journey-family-business-succession/ There comes a point in every founder’s journey when the biggest challenge is no longer building the business.It’s releasing it.For many founders, the business has been far more than a source of income.It has been their purpose.Their identity.Their daily rhythm.Their reputation.In many cases, it has become part of who they are.Which is why succession is rarely difficult because founders don’t trust the next generation.It is difficult because letting go requires them to redefine themselves.... Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post167419 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/164868/founder-syndrome-and-succession/ Illusion to Insight SeriesThere’s a dangerous illusion many founders quietly live inside:“The business needs me.”And in the early years, that may have been true.You worked harder than everyone else.You carried the pressure.Made the sacrifices.Solved the crises.Held the vision when nobody else could see it.You became:the driver,the protector,the decision maker,the emotional stabiliser,and often the glue holding everything together.But over time, something subtle happens.The business that wa... Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post164868 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/164866/avoidance-of-crucial-conversations/ There’s a strange illusion many intelligent people live under:“If I avoid the conversation long enough, things might improve on their own.”But they rarely do.Tension grows.Distance grows.Confusion grows.Resentment grows.And eventually, what could have been resolved in one honest conversation becomes a crisis.In business, relationships, and family life, avoidance is rarely passive.It is active protection.Protection from discomfort.Protection from conflict.Protection from rejection.Protectio... Wed, 22 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post164866 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/166192/from-protection-to-connection-why-we-avoid-repair-when-we-need-it-most/ Protecting ourselves protects our relationships.If I stay quiet, I won’t make things worse.If I wait, they’ll come around.If they really cared, they’d make the first move.If I don’t reach out, I can’t be rejected.So we protect ourselves.And we call it strength.... Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:40:48 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post166192 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/165621/the-vision-illusion/ “We’ve talked about our vision.”It’s something we hear all the time.And usually, people believe they have.But when we ask what that vision actually is, something interesting often happens.One person talks about freedom.Another talks about growth.One imagines family dinners and flexible schedules.Another imagines expansion, impact, and building something extraordinary.Both believe they’re describing the same future.But they’re not.And that’s where the Vision Illusion begins.... Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post165621 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/165294/get-on-the-same-page-business-alignment/ “We just need to get on the same page.”It sounds simple.Reasonable.Even healthy.And yet for many couples and families in business, this conversation keeps repeating itself month after month… sometimes year after year.The strange thing is:Most people saying it genuinely care.They’re trying hard.They’re committed to the relationship.Committed to the business.Committed to the future.So why does it still feel like they’re pulling in different directions?Because often, the issue isn’t c... Fri, 22 May 2026 13:23:29 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post165294 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/167403/family-business-succession-why-passing-the-business-on-is-a-journey-not-a-handover/ For many founders, there comes a moment when the question changes.It is no longer, “How do I grow this business?”It becomes, “How do I ensure it thrives without me?”For family businesses, that question carries even more weight.Because succession is rarely just about transferring ownership.It is about transferring responsibility, leadership, identity, relationships, trust and, in many cases, a lifetime’s work.When sons or daughters have worked in the business for years, succession can a... Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post167403 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/164424/illusion-to-insight-the-comfort-illusion/ Climate-controlled homes.Food available instantly.Entertainment on demand.Endless convenience.Constant distraction.And while comfort has improved many parts of life…it may also be quietly weakening us.Not physically.Emotionally.Because growth requires discomfort.And modern life has made discomfort easier and easier to avoid.I don’t enjoy discomfort.I don’t enjoy uncertainty.I don’t enjoy difficult conversations.I don’t enjoy wondering how someone will react.I don’t enjoy seeing peopl... Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post164424 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/post/164368/why-vision-alone-isnt-enough/ Most people believe success is primarily about:vision,goals,strategy,discipline,and effort.And yes… those things matter.But over the past 18 months, I’ve learned something deeper.... Fri, 08 May 2026 10:43:27 +1200 http://www.ekoyou.co.nz/blog/#post164368