Building a big business is very hard. If the people do not align with your values & standards - Get rid of them.
Perhaps you now want to say wow that is so harsh, this and that. Always do remember that there are a few stages of starting, sustaining, growing & scaling a business. No entrepreneurs start a business to be mean and hire to torture their people. However the reality is also true that entrepreneurs do not start businesses to just take care of their people. We build businesses to achieve profits with a mission for a greater good and a better life for most.
Every entrepreneur has their own purpose and reasons for starting up a business. When it’s a start up, most just think about survival. And once they are in the sustainable stage, they start to build “family” oriented business to make everyone feel like they have ownership of the business until the people got tired and just don’t care. There are many reasons for this. But most of the time everyone at some stage of their lives have different needs and wants. And when a business does grow, some are left out, some left behind and some just continue to thrive with the speed of growth till it reaches the scaling phase. And when the business is in this phase, that usually means investors capital both private and institutional are in and they expect results with a very tight timeline.
When this happens, everything changes and that’s just part of growing pains for a business especially the entrepreneur. At this stage an entrepreneur can either struggle to continue trying to appease everyone and suffer privately alone or they just set the direction and expect everyone to move towards that single minded focused direction to achieve the outcome that is beneficial for all stakeholders.
So before any entrepreneur, Human Resources consultant, speakers or trainers talk the smart talk, try building a 8 to 9 figures and beyond company that is sustained over a prolonged period of time then let me know how you did it without much headache & heartache. From most Billionaires & Multi Millionaires that I speak to and that I have observed and watched in action are just brutally outcome focused. The rest are just PR talk for the media and cameras to look like they do care. Bottomline, we are all responsible for our own livelihood. We just have to continually create value or be replaced. 😉
Moral of the story is simple.
We care for those that care for the business. We share the rewards with those that are not just loyal but contributed to the bottom line and growth of the company for a prolonged period of time. That’s life and there is no such thing as a free lunch. If there was I would be concerned too. I alway prefer everyone having a clear agenda so that we can work well together as we can fulfil the agenda of everyone that is aligned for a focused objective. Contribute or be replaced by other more efficient & effective solutions. Welcome to a world where everyone is replaceable. Literally. 😉
57 comments:
Well said 👏
A clear, honest take on entrepreneurship—alignment, accountability, and value creation matter. Sustainable growth needs tough decisions, not just good intentions. Respect for keeping it real. 💯
Clearly, effectiveness and efficiency are required for good work!
Agreed. In order to sustain balanced lifestyle, setting up goals and moving forward in align with an orginazation would be much more easier for everyone.
Agreed, Mr. Ernie. Clarity in values, expectations, and direction is important for both the business and its people. As an employee, knowing the goals and how we are expected to contribute helps everyone stay aligned. Growth brings change, and clear expectations with recognized contributions create a focused and productive work environment.
While it's true you can drag a horse to the water but you can't force to drink, you do have a point at everyone has to grow in their own ways. Sometimes they're in it for the long ride while sometimes they're simply with us till our next stop. In the end, we all have to be responsible for ourselves when when we wish to get off.
This really highlights the tough decisions leaders have to make at different stages of a business. Growth definitely changes expectations, and clarity on direction and contribution becomes more important over time.”
I agree. It is true. Priorities shift, businesses adapt, and alignment are important. Growth and contribution must go hand in hand. Caring for individuals does not mean neglecting outcomes.
Totally agree, Sir. In building a business, not everyone will share the same mindset or pathway. Even with strong examples and guidance, individuals ultimately choose what aligns with their own values and goals.
While everyone is replaceable, meaningful progress is achieved when the right people work together with shared purpose to build something better.
Hard truths but necessary ones. Growth demands focus, alignment, and accountability. Value creation isn’t optional, it’s the price of staying relevant. Clear direction beats false comfort every time👍🏼
Thank you for sharing this perspective . It really highlights the importance of alignment and focus , especially as a business grows . I appreciate the clarity on how value and contribution drive long-term success .
Understood. Clear perspective on how business realities change as companies grow. Alignment and contribution become increasingly important at every stage.
Nurul Ain Fatehah binti Baharuddin (PORTMAN College Lecturer)
Yeap. When a business grows, alignment and contribution start to matter more.
Noorainiazila
Business Management Lecturer
PORTMAN College
Interesting perspective Mr Ernie. While I agree that alignment is non-negotiable for growth I've found that viewing people as replaceable solutions can be a double edged sword. In a competitive market top talent usually migrates toward cultures where they are valued as partners, not just parts. Scalability is hard, but the most sustainable businesses usually find a way to be both outcome focused and people-centric.
Hard truths, but real ones. Growth changes the rules, and alignment becomes non negotiable when outcomes matter. Clarity over comfort is often what keeps the organisation moving forward. Thank you for sharing such a grounded and honest perspective!
-akma-
Hanisha KAUR - Totally agree,Mr.Ernie! Building and growing a business is really hard, especially with so many challenges along the way. It’s very important that everyone stays focused. I really admire how you value people who work hard and contribute. Your leadership motivates me to do my best and keep adding value to the team and the company.
Understood Mr.Ernie. Yes, it is true. Building a business is not an easy journey, and only those who have actually experienced entrepreneurship truly understand the pain of sustaining, growing, and scaling a business. What may seem harsh to others is often the reality of survival, alignment, and value creation in business.
-Lyana-
Thanks for the sharing Mr. Ernie. It is true that when businesses grow, priorities shift and expectations change. What matters most is clarity and fairness. When leaders are transparent about direction and standards, we can decide if they’re still aligned.
Thank you Mr Ernie. This is very real, and it gave me a clearer understanding of what it takes to build and grow a business.
Moving from being a staff member to leading a team has changed how I see responsibility. Sometimes what feels “harsh” is actually clarity that protects the direction and the culture.
I appreciate the standards and outcome focus. It’s a strong reminder for me to stay aligned, keep improving, and continue creating value.
Insightful sharing. Building a strong organisation definitely requires clear values, alignment, and commitment from the team. Thank you for sharing this perspective and leadership insight.
Alignment isn’t optional. Contribution isn’t negotiable. Growth isn’t sentimental. Reality check accepted😉
Yup Mr Ernie i also totally believe if we are in the same boat then we must align our objectives and actions. Can be a little different but must not forget our main objectives.
Yes, expectations and contributions are clear, and alignment is important for everyone to move forward productively.
A very honest perspective that many people hesitate to say out loud. Business stages really do demand different mindsets, and alignment becomes critical as scale and accountability increase. I think the challenge is balancing outcome-focus with humanity , not easy, but necessary. Appreciate the transparency in sharing the realities beyond the “PR version” of entrepreneurship.
Yes I agree, we need to stay focus in what we do in our life. Great post👍🏻
Agree with what you said. Really good and motivational post 👍🏻
Staff are replaceable, just as workplaces are. I learned this the hard way during the MCO period. Leadership mindset makes all the difference. In my previous employment, adaptation was slow. While online learning was necessary, most teachers simply sent worksheets to students and marked them because the top management failed to oversee the shift in education and prepare the teachers. Nevertheless, I took the initiative to run live online classes using Discord so students could still learn properly, although it was very challenging to setup the server on a short period of time.
That period became my turning point. After 7 years, I realised that when the world moves forward but the organisation does not, misalignment becomes unavoidable.
This April marks my second year at PORTMAN. In this short time, I’ve seen more progress, change, and willingness to evolve than I did in my past 7 years in previous company. The direction here is aligned with the world, constantly updating, and now even embracing AI. Grateful to be part of this journey.
Tr Rahm
PORTMAN International@I-City
Thank you for sharing this perspective. It reinforces the importance of contribution and value creation, which aligns with our business direction to create value, increase revenue, reduce cost, and eliminate wastage. I will continue to do my part in supporting these goals
I agree that the journey is not easy, and the road to success requires great sacrifice and hard work. Along the way, there will be challenges and setbacks, but diligence and perseverance help us stay focused and move forward despite the difficulties.
Well said, Mr. Ernie. A realistic and honest take on entrepreneurship—alignment and contribution truly matter at every stage. Businesses grow when everyone in the organisation moves in the same direction with a shared purpose. At PORTMAN, I make sure our direction aligns with yours so we can grow stronger together. Thank you.
This hits hard because it’s real sir.You’re speaking from the trenches, not from a textbook. It challenges comfort and rewards responsibility. Respect for sharing the side of leadership most people avoid.
Appreciate the reality check, Mr. Ernie. It’s easy to preach empathy until you’re the one responsible for the livelihoods of hundreds. At a certain point, a leader’s job is to protect the mission, not just appease everyone.
Appreciate you for sharing this, Mr. Ernie. It gives a clear and realistic view of the different stages of growing a business and how important it is to have people who share the same vision and direction. - Husna
Building a big business requires tough decisions. Alignment on values, standards, and results is non-negotiable. At different stages of growth, priorities change, and not everyone can or wants to move at the same pace. Entrepreneurs are responsible for outcomes, not emotions. Those who consistently add value grow with the business; those who don’t will be replaced. This isn’t cruelty—it’s reality. In the end, rewards are shared with people who contribute to long-term results. There is no free lunch. Clear expectations, clear direction, and clear accountability are what make businesses succeed.
This articles makes sense to me. Building and growing a business is not easy. Tough decisions are necessary, sometimes. Alignment of ideas and ways of work, contribution, and results of every action are important at every stage. In the end, everyone in the team needs to create value for the business to keep moving forward.
As a student learning about entrepreneurship and leadership, this perspective is eye-opening. It shows that building and scaling a business isn’t just about culture and care, but also about discipline, alignment, and results. This post challenges many idealistic views and helps me better understand the real responsibilities that come with running a growing organization. Thank you for sharing such a grounded and practical viewpoint.
This is the reality of running and growing a business. Alignment and contribution matter.
Growth requires alignment, not entitlement. Clear standards protect the mission, the business, and the people who are genuinely invested in building it forward. Hard to accept, but hard lessons usually matter most.
An honest perspective on why professionalism matters at scale. Clear standards and direction help remove ambiguity and allow people to operate with purpose, focus, and maturity as the business grows.
Everyone has the right to choose what they want in life.
As an organization, we are committed to growing and scaling because we want to raise our standard of living. When an organization decides to grow, its people must keep pace with those rising standards to ensure our capabilities match our higher goals.
In this process, we see three types of people:
Those who want to grow, keep up with the standards, and continue to thrive with us.
Those who cannot keep up with the speed of growth and choose a different path that better suits their personal pace.
Those who refuse to grow because they are comfortable where they are.
As the company reaches new stages, we must ensure our team reflects the higher standards required for that level. This may mean replacing those who no longer align with our trajectory.
It is a fair process: everyone has a decision to make. Our organization will not stop growing. If you find yourself no longer aligned with this vision, you are welcome to seek a career path that suits you better; otherwise, the organization will eventually have to make that decision for you.
However, if you are aligned and certain that this is where you want to be, then keep raising your standards and evolve to add value. The final outcomes will be the greatest reward for all contributors, and that success is what true contributors enjoy most.
I agree with you Mr. Ernie. Building something meaningful is never easy, and the tough decisions behind the scenes are often misunderstood. Appreciate the honesty and clarity you’ve shared, it gives a lot of perspective on what growth truly requires.
i agree
Building a big business is not hard because the idea is complex. It is hard because it demands consistency on days when motivation is gone, discipline when results are invisible, and faith when logic tells you to quit. Most people don’t fail from lack of talent — they fail from exhaustion, doubt, and the loneliness of carrying a vision no one else can see yet.
Building a big business is not hard because the idea is complex. It is hard because it demands consistency on days when motivation is gone, discipline when results are invisible, and faith when logic tells you to quit. Most people don’t fail from lack of talent — they fail from exhaustion, doubt, and the loneliness of carrying a vision no one else can see yet.
Totally agree🔥with you Mr. Ernie...... In business, it's not about who's been around the longest, but who provides the most value. The world of work is tough, but the reality is that everyone needs to constantly improve💪🏻themselves if they want to stay relevant.
Being upfront about expectations is the best way to work. When the goals are clear and the value is mutual, it’s easier for everyone to stay focused on the bigger picture. Thanks for the honest perspective.
Aisha - PIS@Akasa
Running a business means making tough decisions. As a company grows, not everyone will grow with it. People who share the values and put in the work stay and get rewarded. Those who don’t eventually move on.
That’s not being heartless, it’s being honest. Businesses survive and grow because of contribution, not entitlement. Everyone is responsible for the value they bring. What a wonderful reminder Boss, well said, Thank you for the clarity. - Teacher Kirthiga-
Running a business means making tough decisions. As a company grows, not everyone will grow with it. People who share the values and put in the work stay and get rewarded. Those who don’t eventually move on.
That’s not being heartless, it’s being honest. Businesses survive and grow because of contribution, not entitlement. Everyone is responsible for the value they bring. What a wonderful reminder Boss, well said, Thank you for the clarity. - Teacher Kirthiga-
Building a business is hard. Building a big business is very hard—this is a truth. The starting point is always “easy,” but sustaining and growing it requires sleepless nights and stress. Raising standards is not only good for the organisation but also for ourselves. There is no point in doing the same routine while expecting greater rewards. Stay focused on what generates outcomes and results, and scale that.
Thank you, Mr. Ernie.
Agree with this. As a business scales, alignment, accountability, and outcomes matter more than comfort. Clarity may feel harsh, but it’s necessary for sustainable growth. Those who contribute and grow with the business move forward together.
Yes, everyone is replaceable in function, but shared mindset, commitment, and purpose are not easily replaced. Real progress happens when the right people choose to move in the same direction, not because they’re forced to, but because they believe in what’s being built.
Yes because people's needs evolve, and not everyone can keep pace with growth. That's why scaling requires a shift from emotional management to performance management. In the end for growth it requires both results and trust because people who believe in the mission will push outcomes further than those who only fear being replaced.
When people share the same objective, the journey becomes faster and more efficient.
Everyone naturally has different priorities, and that’s why alignment in values and standards matters so much in a growing organization. It’s less about forcing uniformity and more about finding people who can genuinely work toward a common direction.
This is something I’ve learned firsthand. People can have great credentials and impressive resumes, but if the fit isn’t right, it simply isn’t right. As I’ve grown with my team, I’ve noticed that each term I’m able to build with more people who align with both my personal and the company’s ideology. Work moves faster, goals are achieved sooner, and the workload is carried together instead of individually.
I want to build my team that want to grow with me, not teams that are just there to clock in and clock out, but people who are invested in the journey, the standards we set, and the impact we’re trying to create.
When the right people come together with shared values, growth becomes a collective effort, and success feels more meaningful for everyone involved.
Everyone is replaceable in business and in life. Over time, it becomes clear who shares your values, who moves with you, and who holds you back. That’s reality. I’ve learned to be intentional with my energy. Progress only happens when there’s alignment.
"This is a powerhouse of a post, Mr. Ernie. It’s a sobering but necessary reality check on the 'Realpolitik' of the business world.
You’re spot on about the transition from a 'family' feel to a 'high-performance engine'—that’s exactly where most companies stall because they’re afraid to make the hard calls. Growth definitely requires a different gear, and as you said, alignment isn't just a preference—it’s a requirement for survival.
Accountability isn’t 'mean'; it’s how we protect the mission for everyone who is actually rowing the boat. I really value this level of clarity—it makes it much easier to stay focused on what actually moves the needle."
Interesting perspective. Growth definitely comes with tough decisions, and alignment becomes more critical as a company scales. I agree that clarity of expectations helps both the organisation and the people in it move forward with purpose. At the same time, I believe when values and direction are communicated well, people who truly fit will naturally grow together with the company.
I agree with this. Building and scaling a business forces a shift in mindset at every stage. What works during survival or early growth doesn’t work when outcomes, capital, and timelines are involved. Alignment, accountability, and value creation become critical , not because leaders stop caring, but because the responsibility expands beyond individuals to all stakeholders.
Businesses exist to serve the community by solving problems. As part of the business ecosystem, they provide jobs and opportunities for different generations to improve, grow, and scale. A business that stops growing is a business that will soon close down. When that happens, it breaks many people's 'rice bowls' and impacts countless families.
However, not everyone understands this. Many only look at the surface and aren't curious about the root causes. As leaders, our primary job is not to manage our members' feelings, but to ensure the results the business needs to survive. Without those results, both your rice bowl and mine will break. This directly impacts the families we love and the very motivation that sustains us.
Focusing on work is not a 'bad' thing, it is actually the most important thing. As you grow up, your desires change and your responsibilities increase. You have the option to decide the kind of life you want, but you must be responsible for the outcome. If you are not happy with your life, identify what caused your current outcome. You always have an option: either fix it or eliminate it. Unfortunately, most people avoid the short-term pain needed for long-term rewards and let their feelings control them. Until you accept this fact, you cannot step out of the cycle you created.
The reality is that we hire people to produce quality work aligned with what the company needs, not based on personal preferences. We do take care of people but specifically those who produce the outcomes we hired them for and who are willing to work together with leaders on solutions, rather than just talking about problems and feelings.
Ivy
Post a Comment