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.

STEVE JOBS: HOW MANY OF YOU ARE CONSULTANTS? OH... THAT'S BAD!

Consulting is broken.

A lot of smart people…
 _Sell you a PowerPoint.
 _Disappear when it’s time to execute.

_No skin in the game.
_No responsibility.
_No results.

Consulting can feel like hiring someone to build you a sandcastle…
 …and finding out they only brought a whiteboard.

Big ideas. Fancy slides.

And when it’s time to actually do the thing — poof — they’re gone.

We prefer a different game: roll up sleeves, build stuff that works, and maybe get some sand in our shoes.

Because in innovation, the fun part is not talking about the castle.
 
It’s standing in front of it saying: 

“Yep. We made that.”

———

The strategy 7 of Germany's most innovative companies already follow
https://lnkd.in/dexsVrw8

#innovation #innoweek #venturestudio #companybuilder #startupstudio #vc 

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Dipl Ing Lars Behrendt 

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

STEVE JOBS SAID ONE DECISION IN LIFE SEPARATES SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE FROM THOSE WHO ONLY DREAM

That decision? 

PERSEVERANCE.

Steve Jobs put it perfectly:

"I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.... Unless you have a lot of passion about this, you're not going to survive. You're going to give it up."

Jobs knew this from experience. He was fired from Apple, started over with NeXT, then came back to build one of the world's most valuable companies.
Here's what separates dreamers from achievers:

_Passion fuels persistence - Without deep passion for your mission, you'll quit when things get tough

_Setbacks become feedback - Every failure reveals what customers really want and where you need to improve

_Long-term vision beats short-term pain - When you're anchored in your "why," you can weather any storm

_Persist, but pivot - Stay committed to the goal while being flexible in your approach

Research backs this up: Angela Duckworth's studies show that grit and sustained perseverance predict success better than IQ or talent alone.

The next time you want to quit, ask yourself: Am I facing a dead end—or just the natural friction of progress?

The leaders who refuse to quit, who show up one more time after setbacks, are the ones who ultimately cross the finish line.

What's one time perseverance made all the difference in your journey? 

———

The strategy 7 of Germany's most innovative companies already follow
https://lnkd.in/dexsVrw8

#innovation #innoweek #venturestudio #companybuilder #startupstudio #vc 

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#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

Never trade your nervous system for a salary.

Most people think job changes are mainly about money.

But over time, something else becomes obvious.
People move to places where work doesn’t feel like pressure.

Because a higher paycheck rarely makes up for:

↳ Sunday night anxiety
↳ fear of telling the truth
↳ a 11:40 pm “urgent” message
↳ the feeling of not being heard
↳ constant tension of “don’t mess up”

We often call it “being tired.”
But it’s actually a lack of safety.

That’s why peace of mind has become the new currency in the job market.

It looks simple, 
but it’s built every day:

• support instead of blame
• dialogue instead of silent tension
• respect for time instead of overtime
• meaning instead of endless “shoulds”
• clear expectations instead of guessing

People don’t leave because of hard tasks.

They leave the atmosphere where every task turns into stress.

So the question for every leader is simple:
Does your team feel calmer or more anxious because of you?

Because sometimes the strongest benefit isn’t a bonus.

It’s the ability to work without constant inner tension.

What creates “peace of mind” at work for you?
___

♻️ Share this if you believe strong results start with a calm, safe team environment.

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I used to think people changed jobs for money

Now I know they’re looking for peace of mind.

Victoria Repa
BetterMe

This leadership skill holds teams together in hard moments.

When everything goes according to plan.

Almost any leader can look confident.
The real test starts when things go bad.

And kindness is often the one thing that saves the team in those moments.

It is simple:

A mistake. 
A missed deadline. 
Numbers dropping.

And suddenly you see the real person behind the title.
Because pressure reveals leadership fast.

Some leaders react with fear.

And fear always looks the same:

↳ control instead of trust
↳ harsh words instead of clarity
↳ blame instead of responsibility
↳ public humiliation instead of private feedback

In teams like this, people learn one rule quickly:

Hide the bad news.

• So problems get buried.
• Meetings go quiet.
• Risks are raised too late.
• People stop taking initiative.

Not because the team is weak.
Because the culture is unsafe.

But there is another type of leader.
The one who stays kind when it is hard.

Keeps a human tone.
Holds standards without breaking people.

They ask:

→ What happened? 
→ What do we fix first? 
→ What support do you need from me? 
→ How do we make sure this does not happen again?

This is not softness.
This is emotional strength.

And it is rare.

So, if a leader stays kind when things go bad, 
you’ve found the right leader.

What is the strongest sign for you that a leader can be trusted under pressure?
__

♻️ Share this if you agree.

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If a leader stays  kind when things  go bad, you've found the right leader.

Victoria Repa
BetterMe

True leadership isn’t about being #1.

It’s about treating everyone like they’re #1:

↳ your team,
↳ your clients and audience,
↳ your partners and peers.

That’s why servant leadership is the new standard.

But most leaders confuse it with being convenient.
And that almost always ends with a loss of effectiveness.

Because a team doesn’t need someone who agrees with everything.

A team needs someone who protects what truly matters: 
growth and the ability to speak openly.

Because true service is about creating the conditions
where people can do their best work.

Servant leadership isn’t about:

• Avoiding conflict
• Pleasing everyone
• Saying “yes” to everything

Servant leadership is about:

• Lifting others up
• Supporting growth
• Empowering others
• Clearing roadblocks
• Leading from behind
• Amplifying quiet voices
• Coaching, not controlling
• Creating safety to speak up

Strong leaders don’t try to please everyone.
They transform:

→ Control → into coaching.
→ Politics → into clear agreements.
→ “I’ll decide” → into “I’ll help you decide.”
→ Fear of mistakes → into the courage to speak up.

Because when there’s space to speak openly,
people don’t hold back.

They challenge.
They contribute.
They take ownership.

And that’s how effectiveness happens.

Which habit of a convenient leader do you see most often in teams?
__

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Here’s why most KPIs don’t work:

Many companies build their systems around numbers.
But not around people.

Because if people aren’t motivated and don’t feel safe, 
no metric will save the outcome.

The real KPIs are the small signals that keep a team moving:

→ Keep people invested in results 
when everyone knows what “winning” looks like.

→ Keep people inspired by purpose, 
so work feels meaningful, not automatic.

→ Keep people included in decisions, 
because ownership grows where voices matter.

→ Keep people in sync with priorities, 
so energy goes into the few things that actually move the business.

→ Keep people informed about change, 
because uncertainty kills focus faster than workload.

→ Keep people innovating without fear,
because fear stops initiative, and without initiative there’s no progress.

You can track revenue, retention, performance.

But if you don’t track the human system behind them, 
you’ll keep coming back to the same problems again and again.

So start measuring what keeps your team energized and engaged, 
and the numbers will follow.

Which of these KPIs has the biggest impact on your motivation to perform at your best?

_

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KPI’s
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
KEEP PEOPLE INVESTED IN RESULTS
KEEP PEOPLE INSPIRED BY PURPOSE
KEEP PEOPLE INCLUDED IN DECISIONS
KEEP PEOPLE IN SYNC WITH PRIORITIES
KEEP PEOPLE INFORMED ABOUT CHANGE
KEEP PEOPLE INNOVATING WITHOUT FEAR

For more valuable content, follow me:
Victoria Repa 
BetterMe СEO & Founder

The fastest way to lose a strong team...

Not pressure.
Not competition.
Not even tough deadlines.

It’s the absence of kindness.

The most underrated superpower in leadership.

People do their best work where they feel safe, respected, and seen.

Because when kindness disappears, 
people don’t become stronger.

They become guarded:

→ they stop taking risks
→ they stop fully showing up
→ they stop sharing ideas early

Here’s what KINDNESS looks like in action:

K — Kick the ego 
Lead with humility. No one trusts a know-it-all.

I — Inclusion 
Invite diverse voices into every conversation.

N — Nurture 
Check in regularly, not just during performance reviews.

D — Decency 
Keep your word, even when it’s inconvenient.

N — Notice 
Celebrate small wins as often as big milestones.

E — Empathy 
Ask “How are you?” and listen without rushing.

S — Support 
Be someone people can talk to, not tiptoe around.

S — Soft strength 
Set boundaries with clarity and respect.

If you want a team that moves fast, speaks honestly,
and grows, start here.

Kindness isn’t a nice bonus.

It’s how you hold high standards without devaluing people.

What kind act from a leader changed how you saw them?
_

♻️ Share this if you believe kindness builds strong teams.

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These 7 types of leaders are remembered with gratitude.

(they change your life forever)

The leaders we remember don’t just deliver results.
They unlock your potential.

Years later, you may forget the project.

But you won’t forget who made you believe in yourself.

Made you feel like you’ll figure it out.
Made you feel seen.

Here are 7 types of leaders people remember for life:

1/ The one who challenged you to grow, even when it was uncomfortable.

2/ The one who showed up consistently, even on hard days.

3/ The one who celebrated your wins like their own.

4/ The one who believed in you before you believed in yourself.

5/ The one who never needed to be the smartest person in the room.

6/ The one who led with kindness, not fear.

7/ The one who saw potential where others saw limitations.

Leadership isn’t a title.
It’s a trace.

And one day you’ll realize:

Your leadership isn’t what you say.
It’s who people become after working with you.

It’s how they speak after working with you.

The standards they keep.
The confidence they carry into the next room.

Which type of leader shaped you the most and why?
_

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This isn’t taught in business schools, but it should be 👇

Kindness is a KPI most leaders ignore.

Because it reduces tension, strengthens trust,
and makes teams more productive.

In most companies, tension doesn’t come from hard tasks.

It comes from small daily interactions:

↳ ego in conversations
↳ wins that go unnoticed
↳ silence instead of inclusion
↳ promises that don’t get kept
↳ feedback that feels like a fight

That’s why, to build an environment where people actually want to work,
I rely on a simple kindness framework.

Here’s what KINDNESS looks like in action:

K — Kick the ego 
Humility builds trust.

I — Inclusion 
Invite varied viewpoints.

N — Nurture 
Make check-ins routine

D — Decency 
Keep your promises.

N — Notice 
Celebrate small wins too.

E — Empathy 
Check in and truly listen.

S — Support 
Be open to conversation.

S — Soft strength 
Set respectful boundaries.

And here’s the part that changes culture the fastest:

Kindness isn’t limited to your team.
It should work 360°:

→ Kindness to yourself
Notice and log small wins. Make time to rest and recharge.

→ Kindness to your teammates
Ask: “How can I help?” Step in when they’re swamped.

→ Kindness to your manager
Always say thank you for help. Show support when it’s tough.

→ Kindness to your subordinates
Praise publicly, coach privately. Listen without interrupting.

Kindness isn’t a “nice tone.” 
It’s a productivity driver.

People don’t need perfect leaders.

They need leaders who create a safe, clear, and human environment.

If you could improve one daily interaction at work, what would it be?
__

♻️ Share this framework if you believe kindness is a real KPI.

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The leadership formula that actually works:

IQ + EQ + SQ = A Great Leader

The strongest leaders I know don’t develop just one type of intelligence.
They grow in three dimensions at once:

→ how they think → how they feel → how they build connection with people.

Here are 3 types of intelligence every strong leader needs:

1/ IQ

• Limit multitasking
• Set learning goals weekly
• Plan your day with priorities
• Analyze data before deciding
• Write to clarify your thoughts
• Reflect on mistakes and lessons
• Read daily (especially non-fiction)
• Take online courses or certifications
• Review and improve processes monthly

IQ helps leaders think clearly.
It helps them see situations clearly, make better decisions, and keep growing.

2/ EQ

• Pause before reacting
• Give regular appreciation
• Ask open-ended questions
• Notice body language cues
• Learn to apologize sincerely
• Celebrate small wins together
• Set clear emotional boundaries
• Journal your emotional triggers
• Check in with your emotions daily

EQ helps leaders lead themselves first before leading others.
Because self-awareness creates emotional stability,
and emotional stability builds trust.

3/ SQ

• Handle conflict calmly
• Remember names and stories
• Build trust by being consistent
• Be present in every conversation
• Adjust your communication style
• Collaborate instead of competing
• Attend networking events regularly
• Genuinely care about how others are doing
• Focus on real relationships, not just contacts

SQ is what turns leadership into real human connection.
It helps people feel seen, respected, and safe around you.

And that is often the reason why people want to follow your lead.
The best leaders do not rely on just one strength.

↳ They keep learning.
↳ They build real relationships.
↳ They learn to manage their inner state.

That is what makes leadership effective.

And that is what makes it sustainable.

Which intelligence do you want to strengthen most right now: IQ, EQ, or SQ?

_

♻️ Share this if you believe strong leadership starts from within.

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