Dipl.-Ing. Lars Behrendt

//CEO@GRANNY&SMITH, DE-RISKING INNOLAB FOR THE MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES

I’m an inventor, innovator and investor. I turn real problems into real companies.My career changed the moment I realized most innovations fail for the same reason: everyone talks about ideas - almost no one builds them.In boardrooms and workshops, I watched brilliant concepts suffocate under politics, process and PowerPoints. The spark in people’s eyes faded the moment reality entered the room. I couldn’t unsee it.So I stopped helping people discuss the future and started building it.Over the past 15 years, I’ve created products, ventures and business models that didn’t exist before. What began as engineering evolved into a practice: recognizing real unmet needs, inventing the solution and forming a company around it.Today, I operate where invention, innovation and investment meet. I don’t manage portfolios — I create the companies they’re built from.How I work: • real-world problems • physical + digital products • validated demand • scalable models • long-term ownershipWhat drives me: If you can see a better future, you’re responsible for building it. I work with people who believe progress comes from creating, not talking — and who want to bring things into the world that should already exist.That’s why I build.More: grannyandsmith.com

We are here to help you develop, test, and grow new business ideas in a few weeks instead of months. We specialize in innovation development, constantly keeping up with the latest trends, methods, and ways of working.

We have been developing innovation for our customers for more than 15 years now. Our teams, consisting of designers, engineers, software developers, and business model experts, have tried a lot and gained much experience. Today we know what works and what does not - so you don't have to make all those experiences again.

Our INNOWEEK® method is the result of more than 15 years of continuous development and project experience with well-known DAX groups and Fortune 500 companies and helps you to develop, test, and grow new business ideas in a few weeks instead of months.

HERE IS MY APPROACH TO INNOVATION DEVELOPMENT

The difference between bringing your product to market in theory?

VS

Bringing your product to market in practice?

-------

In "the theoretical" way, you tried to be perfectly prepared and get hit by the market, and it´s over.

In "the practice way", you are learning step by step. (Like small hits that won't knock you out)

In "the practice way", you get feedback from the market and learn to iterate.

-------

After +15 years in the innovation business, I will never go "the theoretical way" anymore. 

It just hurts too much ;-)

You get that one hi,t and it's over.

It´s your choice.

#innovation

Dipl Ing Lars Behrendt 

INVENTOR · INNOVATOR · INVESTOR - Building Companies. Not Slide Decks. We build and scale industrial ventures. At own risk.

YOU FEEL TIRED?

If you are feeling tired in your life...

...then you should take a good look at this video*!

Don't ever let somebody tell you you can't do something. 

_You got a dream? 
_You gotta protect it. 
_You want something, go get it

P.S.
*Actually, this movie is based on a true story by Chris Gardner
He is also here on Linkedin

———

This is how we bring your ideas to market in 2025:
https://lnkd.in/dexsVrw8

#innovation

THE FOUNDER OF NETFLIX LITERALLY DROPPED HIS BEST BUSINESS ADVICE IN UNDER A MINUTE 🔥

The most valuable business advice I've heard in years 💡

Netflix's founder just dropped this truth bomb that every entrepreneur needs to hear:

"Nobody knows anything when it comes to new ideas. I've started seven companies, including Netflix, and I promise you - I could never have predicted which would succeed and which would fail on day one."

His solution? Stop overthinking and START DOING.
→ Take the risk → Build something
→ Test something → Try something

Because here's the reality: 
You learn more in one hour of action than in three months of planning.

This hits different when you realize Netflix was just one of his seven attempts. 

Imagine if he'd stopped at attempt #6 because he was afraid of failure.

The companies that win aren't the ones with perfect plans - they're the ones brave enough to test their imperfect ideas in the real world.

What's one idea you've been overthinking that you could test this week?

P.S.
This is exactly the approach we are taking with our startup studio and family office. Reach out if you're interested in collaborating to build startups systematically.  

#innovation #vc #familyoffice

#1 Female Creator Worldwide 🌎 | CEO & Founder of BetterMe, Health Coach, Harvard Guest Speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30. On a mission to create an inclusive, healthier world

With an Executive Program from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, my journey has led me to become the CEO & Founder of BetterMe. At BetterMe, we've achieved global recognition by focusing on inclusive, affordable, and fun wellness solutions. My competencies in analytical skills, strategy, and market research have been pivotal in driving our mission.

The BetterMe team is dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle that is accessible to all, from individual users to entire organizations. Driven by my belief in the transformative power of inclusive wellness solutions, we’ve developed innovative programs like anywhere pilates, yoga, and stress relief workouts. 

BetterMe now extends these solutions to workplaces, empowering companies to foster healthier, more productive teams. We are committed to transforming lives and building a culture that values diverse perspectives and empowers our community to lead healthier, more balanced lives!

Victoria Repa

One phrase can launch a person’s career faster than years of learning. 

(And we say it out loud far too rarely)

Most of the time, it’s not loud words.
It’s short support, said at the right time.

Not “You can do it.” 
Not motivational speeches.

But simple, precise words in the right moment:

→ “You’re ready enough to try.”
→ “Rest is part of productivity.”
→ “You have a right to boundaries.”
→ “A mistake is data, not a verdict.”
→ “You don’t have to carry this alone.”
→ “You don’t have to be perfect to grow.”

Most of us have had people who supported us 
when we doubted ourselves, minimized what we felt, or stayed silent.

Sometimes one sentence from someone you trust:

↳ removes shame
↳ helps you choose yourself
↳ gives you your footing back
↳ gives you the courage to say “no” or to ask for help

It’s not “motivational” phrases that change people.
It’s honest words, spoken when they’re truly needed.

And the most important part:

Be that person for someone else. 
Don’t wait until they break to support them.

Sometimes it’s enough to say:

“You’re doing great. I believe in you.”

Who has been that kind of support for you one sentence or one decision?
_

♻️ Share this if you believe words shape people.

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

Even with the best strategy, you can fail at one thing.

(And it can ruin the entire business)

It’s how you treat people.
And it always comes back around.

You can change your KPIs.
You can change your priorities.
You can change your processes.

But one thing remains predictable:

People remember what it felt like to work with you.

Specifically:

• Did you listen, even when it was uncomfortable?
• Did you notice the effort and not just the outcome?
• Did you bring clarity instead of looking for someone to blame?
• Did you have the team’s back when the pressure was at its peak?

If the answers are positive, 
that “memory” becomes a business advantage.

It turns into:

→ Better decisions.
→ Faster alignment.
→ Earlier risk signals.
→ Stronger retention.
→ More honest updates.

Treating people well isn’t about being soft.

It’s about being intentional.
It’s choosing long term effectiveness over short term tension.

Because you can push a team with pressure.
But you can only sustain it through how you treat people.

Treat people well.

It’s the only investment that never loses value.

What did a leader do that made you want to work at your best?
_

♻️ Share this if you believe treating people well is a business advantage.

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

One of the best things you can do in life…

Build a habit of gratitude for what you already have.

We want big results.

But most of what makes them possible is already here.
And we don’t notice it because it became routine.

We normalize:

→ a role that matters
→ people who trust you
→ work that challenges you
→ wins that once felt impossible
→ mistakes that turn into lessons
→ skills you once dreamed of having

Gratitude doesn’t lower standards.
It increases resilience.

It helps leaders stay calm under pressure, 
and helps teams stay motivated through uncertainty.

Here are 5 simple ways to practice gratitude at work:

1/ Thank one person specifically.

2/ Notice progress, not perfection.

3/ Treat hard tasks as trust, not punishment.

4/ Start your day by naming one opportunity today.

5/ End the day by naming one step you moved forward.

What you call “normal” is your progress in action,
step by step toward the outcome.

Gratitude brings motivation back when it’s hard. 

And it reminds you: 
your “normal” day is someone’s dream.

What part of your normal workday are you most grateful for right now?
_

♻️ Share this if you believe gratitude fuels better work.

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

Don’t build your future on one role.

Invest in what always stays with you.

Most people chase things they can lose overnight.

A title. 
A contract. 
A company. 
A “stable” plan. 
Someone’s approval.

But real power is different.

It’s what stays with you when everything around you changes.

Work on the things people can’t take away from you:

Your skills. 
Your body. 
Your mindset. 
Your character. 
Your work ethic. 
Your knowledge.

Because this is the foundation.

→ Character builds trust.
→ Skills make you adaptable.
→ Mindset protects your focus.
→ Work ethic creates momentum.
→ A strong body gives you energy.
→ Knowledge makes you valuable anywhere.

This is what turns uncertainty into confidence.

Not because life gets easier.
But because you become unstoppable.

Which of these are you building in yourself right now and why?
_

♻️ Share this with someone who needs this reminder today.

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

Work on the things people can't take away from you:

Your skills Your body Your mindset Your character Your work ethic Your knowledge

This is how you become unstoppable.

Victoria Repa
BetterMe

When toxicity is ignored, the message is clear:

“Results come before respect.”

And that message always comes at a cost.

When disrespect becomes acceptable in pursuit of goals,
the team shifts into self-protection mode.

Less initiative.
More politics.
More burnout.

And then it’s not only people who suffer.
Results suffer too.

Workplace toxicity isn’t about:

→ Deadlines
→ High standards
→ Direct feedback

Workplace toxicity is about:

↳ Humiliation
↳ Fear over trust
↳ Dismissiveness
↳ Lack of support
↳ Excessive control
↳ Passive aggression
↳ Boundary violations
↳ Punishment for honesty

The strongest cultures don’t lower standards.

They replace:

Control with clarity.
Suspicion with trust.
Silence with support.

Teams that consistently deliver can:
move fast, work hard, handle pressure.

But they can’t thrive where there’s no respect.

Which of these signals destroys performance the fastest, in your view?
__

♻️ Share this if you believe results start with respect. 

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

The biggest trap in leadership:

Putting goals above people.

Because how you lead shapes how your team performs.

You can push a deadline through.

But when you lead through pressure and fear, 
the team gets drained.

Leadership won’t “turn on” when you suddenly need it.
It either raises performance or quietly breaks it.

And the team starts paying the price:

↳ burnout
↳ loss of initiative
↳ fear of making mistakes
↳ silence instead of honesty

Here are 4 foundations of true leadership:

1. Empathy 

Hearing the whole person, not just the task update.
It clarifies what’s happening and improves decisions.

2. Kindness 

Giving feedback with care, not shame.
It makes it easier to speak up, learn, and improve fast.

3. Integrity 

Same rules for everyone.
It lowers tension and saves time on unnecessary noise.

4. Responsibility 

Owning decisions, pace, and culture.
It replaces blame with conditions for growth.

Goal achievement doesn’t come from the most pressure.

It happens when you lead in a way that helps people:

↳ learn fast
↳ stay resourced
↳ speak the truth
↳ take ownership

Strong teams don’t happen by accident.

They’re built by leaders who practice these foundations daily.

Which of these foundations do you want to strengthen most in yourself right now?
_

♻️ Share if this resonates. 

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

When work gets hard, one thing changes everything.

Just 10 minutes of genuine attention.

The impact is stronger than any strategy.

Because people don’t need perfect coworkers.
They need human ones.

And kindness is what can keep a team together.

When kindness is missing, 
the team goes into toxic mode.

And then everything drops: 
initiative, speed, accountability.

So the fastest way to bring the energy back is simple: 
make people feel seen.

You don’t need a retreat.
You don’t need a new policy.

Sometimes a few minutes is enough.

Here are 12 acts of kindness that take just 10 mins:

1/ Bring in a small treat for your team.

2/ Offer to grab a coffee for someone who’s working hard.

3/ Compliment a coworker’s effort or work.

4/ Share a useful resource with your team.

5/ Thank your manager for their support.

6/ Simply smile and greet everyone warmly.

7/ Send a thank-you email to a helpful colleague.

8/ Check in on a stressed coworker.

9/ Write a quick LinkedIn recommendation.

10/ Highlight a colleague’s expertise in public.

11/ Praise someone’s idea in a meeting.

12/ Invite a new coworker for lunch or coffee.

None of these actions look “big.”

But together, they create big outcomes:

↳ build trust
↳ reduce tension
↳ help people feel seen
↳ keep strong people close

Because people don’t stay for bonuses.
They stay where they feel humanity.

Try just one today.
And watch what changes.

What’s the smallest act of kindness that once supported you the most?
_

♻️ Share this if you believe real leadership looks like kindness in action.

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

The most common myths about success sounds like this:

→ You need a lucky break.
→ You need exceptional talent.
→ You need to be in the right place at the right time.

But success is built on everyday skills.
Most people just don’t practice them consistently.

Here are the most underrated skills for success:

S — Strategy See beyond today and plan for the long game.

U — Upskilling Keep upgrading your skills regularly.

C — Consistency Improve 1% every day with small consistent actions.

C — Collaboration Grow through strong partnerships and teamwork.

E — Execution Turn ideas into finished work, not endless plans.

S — Self-control Do what matters, even when motivation is low.

S — Sustainability Progress without exhaustion or burnout.

If you master these skills, you won’t just grow faster. 
You’ll build stable, long-term results.

Start with one skill this week and practice it daily.

What’s the most underrated skill that changed your career?
_

♻️ Share if this resonates. 

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

After 500+ conversations with leaders, I learned one thing:

Strong leadership isn’t measured by the number of meetings you run.

It’s measured by the connections you maintain.

Most workplace relationships don’t “break.”
They fade.

Not because people don’t care.
But because the calendar wins.

Slack replaces real contact.
Meetings replace moments.
And “I’ll message later” turns into months.

So here’s one of the highest-ROI leadership habits:

Make it a habit to reach out to people just because they crossed your mind.

Not when there’s a problem.
Not when performance drops.
Not when you need something.

Just a quick check-in that says:
“I thought of you.”

This does more than being “nice.” 
It:

↳ builds trust across teams
↳ creates a culture where asking for help feels normal
↳ helps people feel seen before they start drifting away
↳ stops small misunderstandings from turning into friction

And it takes 30 seconds.
Try one today:

“You crossed my mind. How are you?”
“Your idea helped more than you think.”
“Quick note: I noticed your effort. Thank you.”

Leadership isn’t only about direction.
It’s also about connection.

Because teams don’t stay strong on strategy alone.
They stay strong on relationships.

What simple habit helps you stay connected with people at work?
_

♻️ Share this if you want connection to be part of the culture.

☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa | BetterMe CEO & Founder

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