Malcolm Peace's Linkedin Analytics

They are slaving all day. Your workers. Imagine robots and smart computers helping in businesses where people usually work with their hands, like building things or fixing cars. I'm all about using these smart tools to help these businesses work better and easier. Once, we had a big project and needed to make sure everyone knew what to do and when. We used a special computer program that could plan out everyone's work for the day. This was like having a super smart helper making sure everything was done right and on time. Here's what we learned from using smart tools: →  Robots and smart programs can do some jobs for us so that we can do other important work. →  Using these tools makes our work faster and less of a headache. →  We can do our jobs better and make fewer mistakes. Using new technology in businesses where people work with their hands isn't just cool. It helps us do our jobs better and faster. And it shows us that even the toughest jobs can get a little help from technology.

Selling your business is like dating except this time, withholding the truth isn’t charming; it’s a deal killer. Let me tell you about Joe, a business owner I met a while back. His books were “fine,” or so he said. Turns out, “fine” meant there were three sets of them: one for taxes, one for investors, and one even he didn’t trust. When due diligence rolled around, the buyer uncovered everything. Not only did Joe lose the deal, but his reputation took a hit—and good luck rebuilding that. Transparency is a survival skill. If your buyer discovers skeletons in the closet, they’re not negotiating—they’re walking.  Here’s the kicker: being upfront won’t just save you; it might actually increase your valuation. But don’t wait until the eleventh hour to figure this out.

Eat what they eat. A small gesture of respect but gets you a long way when trying to win a potential stakeholder’s trust. Lunch meetings hit differently when you’re actually eating real local food. None of that watered-down, hotel-menu nonsense. I sat down with the managing director in India, and instead of playing it safe, I went all in—local flavors, real spices, and the works. Because if you’re gonna do business somewhere, you better understand the culture, the people… and yes, the food. Too many business travelers act like they’re allergic to authenticity. They fly in, eat the same bland meals, and leave with zero understanding of who they just met. Then they wonder why deals don’t close. If you want to connect and win globally, stop playing tourist. Taste the country, meet the people, understand the culture.

Cutting corners costs more than you think. Sat in the back of an Uber, watching the driver proudly avoid the toll road I paid for — like I wouldn’t notice. Could’ve said something, but sometimes silence is louder. Let the app do the talking. 15 minutes of my life gone, but at least Uber threw me a few bucks like hush money. Impressed? Not really. Amused? Absolutely. Here’s the thing… people pull this stunt in business all the time. Cut corners, hope no one notices, and pray a refund solves everything. It doesn’t. Trust isn’t built on refunds — it’s built on not screwing people over in the first place.

The ugly side of selling a business.    We’re about to close a deal—LOI in hand, 90-day sprint ahead. But let’s get real: it’s not all sunshine and acquisition glory. There’s always that guy—Jim, in this case—whose knowledge is locked in his head like it’s classified info. And when the only process is “ask Jim,” you’ve got an anchor dragging your boat. Spoiler: anchors don’t scale. Add in debt, machines in production, and the pressure to generate revenue fast, and this is what business growth actually looks like: messy, risky, and 100% necessary. Let’s see what happens.

American Airlines just played the ultimate power move. Forget loyalty—American Airlines is out here buying it. They’re offering a status match to top flyers from Delta, United, JetBlue, and Southwest. It’s so easy. Just show some proof, and boom—you’re flying Platinum or higher with American. - priority boarding - free checked bags - upgrades - the whole VIP treatment I practically live in planes since I meet with different stakeholders from around the world. For someone flying 40 times a year like myself, that’s $3,200 in savings—just for saying yes to a better deal. Why? Because this is how you steal customers. Give them an irresistible reason to switch, make it effortless, and suddenly, that Southwest “loyalist” is racking up miles on American. Most businesses think their customers will stay just because they’ve always been there. Customers don’t owe you loyalty. They go where the value is. American Airlines gets it. Do you?

Dreaming is the blueprint for building your future. As a Texas business owner, you can build a legacy that stretches across the Lone Star State. I recall a time when we were integrating AI into our conveyor systems. It was a tough sell at first. One of my key guys was initially resistant to traveling to Mexico for this project. However, the trip turned into a game-changer for him and our business. He saw firsthand how automation could dramatically enhance our operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. More than just profit—it's about setting a standard and leaving a mark. Making an impact through the way changing the company can change the future. Here’s what you should take away: ✅ Innovation Transforms: Introducing tech isn't just an upgrade. It's a complete transformation. ✅ Legacy Matters: What we build today decides the Texas of tomorrow. ✅ Dreaming Big is Practical: With every dream comes a blueprint for reality. Don’t just plan—execute with vision. It is critical not merely to dream, but to dream big. ______________________ Trips, especially those that take you outside your comfort zone, helps you realize things. Expose yourself to different cultures, customs, and way of life.

Sticking to the old ways might feel safe, but it's like rowing against the current. Eventually, you'll tire out as the world speeds ahead. Sticking to the old ways might feel safe, but it’s like rowing against the current with a leaky boat. You might stay afloat for a while, but eventually exhaustion (or a competitor with an outboard motor) will take you down. I knew a business owner who refused to upgrade his processes because, in his words, “It’s worked for 30 years.” Sure, and so did the horse and buggy—until it didn’t. Fast forward two years, and he was scrambling to sell because a younger competitor automated half his workload and stole his customers overnight. The world doesn’t care about nostalgia. Adapt or get left behind. The only thing worse than change is realizing too late that you should have changed sooner. Your call.

We’re bringing blue-collar businesses into the future. One of the tools we’ve used to do so is called Motion. Discover how integrating Motion into your operations can transform your processes. From boosting productivity to enhancing customer satisfaction, the ROI benefits are clear and compelling like: 1. Increased Productivity 2. Enhanced Efficiency 3. Improved Accuracy 4. Better Decision Making 5. Cost Reduction 6. Scalability 7. Employee Satisfaction 8. Customer Satisfaction This is just proof that blue-collar workers shouldn’t stay in the past. To modernize is to propel your business forward.

Here is the real question for blue-collar businesses: What are the costs of NOT using AI? Here are three: 1️⃣ Scaling Your Business - Scaling becomes a Herculean task, slowing progress and dampening your competitive edge. 2️⃣Operational Costs - The absence of AI and automation spikes operational costs. 3️⃣Decision-Making Challenges - We're flying blind without data-driven insights for quick, informed decisions. Embracing AI isn't just a luxury. It's a necessity for blue-collar businesses who aim for sustainability and growth in today's tech-driven landscape.

Your business is worth less the moment you stop caring. The most dangerous time for a business owner is right before they sell. Too many owners mentally check out before the deal is done. They get caught between two identities: - one where their business is everything  - one where they’re already gone That in-between phase is where businesses start slipping, and suddenly, their dream exit isn’t worth what they thought. If you’re serious about selling, stay locked in until the ink is dry. Because if you stop caring too soon, buyers will notice—and they’ll price that into the deal.

Innovation isn't for blue-collar businesses. I'm tired of hearing that. It's time to change this mindset. At Tsetserra, my mission is to revolutionize the way blue-collar industries operate by leveraging cutting-edge technology. We're bringing AI, automation, and innovative tools to make traditional businesses smarter and more efficient. Recently, we worked with a shrimp processing company that was bogged down by outdated processes. We stepped in and introduced a new system that automated many of their manual tasks. This change didn't just cut down on errors and save time. It freed their team to focus on quality and growth. The results were impressive: higher productivity and happier employees who could focus on more important work. Innovation isn't just about using new tools. It's about freeing people to reach their full potential and push boundaries.

A business cannot thrive on one person's efforts alone. Teamwork is the name of the game. Even the most driven and talented leader needs a team to turn visions into reality. Collaborative efforts bring diverse perspectives. Those perspectives stimulate innovation. They foster environments where they tackle challenges more efficiently. A business prospers when its people contribute their unique skills and ideas. From the frontline employees to the top executives. Remember: It doesn't matter how skilled you are as an individual. The collective strength of a team is what truly elevates a business. Agree? _____________________________________ PS. Photo taken last 2023HoldCo. This is Day 2, of learning around rowing a boat with my team. Each rower needs to synchronize their movements with the team, creating a single, powerful force propelling the boat forward. This underlines the importance of trust, mutual support, and shared responsibility for success

Here’s a surprise I found recently. Walked into a business I bought and found an entire upstairs. Full floor. No clue it existed. Even better — I’d been paying rent on it the whole time. Due diligence? More like due disaster. Here’s the truth no one tells you — every deal you close comes with surprises. Some are cute. Most punch you in the wallet. I’ve missed things in diligence more times than I care to admit. If you think your checklist makes you bulletproof, you’re adorable. The real game is how fast you catch your blind spots after you own them.

Kids are funny. They’ll fight tooth and nail not to do something—then turn around and say, “This is the best day ever.” We hiked up a mountain in Hawaii. Complaints the whole way. -Too hot.  -Too hard.  -Too long. But when the sun started setting? Silence. Then awe. Then, “Dad, this is amazing.” Business owners do the same thing. They resist selling, putting it off, and making excuses. Then, once they close the deal, they’re relieved. “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Sometimes, the thing you’re avoiding is the thing you need most. The hardest part isn’t climbing the mountain—it’s deciding to start

You’re not buying a business…. You’re inheriting: - every handshake deal - every ignored maintenance issue - every “we’ll fix it next quarter” excuse I once looked at a business where the owner swore up and down it was a goldmine. On paper? Looked solid. Then I dug in. Turns out he’d been running it like a personal ATM, had key employees ready to walk, and—my favorite—had a major client on the verge of dropping them. None of that showed up in the fancy sales pitch. Buying a business isn’t all numbers. It’s about spotting landmines before they blow up in your face. So do your homework. Or better yet, find the skeletons before they start rattling. Because trust me, they will rattle.

Due diligence will test you. It’s not a handshake and a smile, it’s  - war-time accounting - legal trench work - answering questions you hoped no one would ask I’ve seen sellers get steamrolled because they weren’t prepped. I looked at this one business in the hopes of buying it, and the owner handed over “clean books.” 48 hours later, we found a six-figure payroll issue buried in the fine print. Deal died on the spot. Brutal? Yes. Avoidable? Also yes. If you want to sell your business, prep like your livelihood depends on it—because it does. Don’t start the race if you can’t handle the pit stops and breakdowns.

I’m not a CPA, But I know depreciation recapture is a tax minefield. I see loads of owners who love writing off trucks, cars, and other assets at lightning speed. A business owner once told me, “I’ve been writing off trucks and equipment for years—feels like free money.” Then came a capital event, and suddenly the taxman demanded every penny he slashed off his books. In plain English: those “free” tax breaks come back to bite you hard. If you’re not mentally prepared to pay it all back, brace yourself for a rude awakening. Every shortcut has a price—plan ahead, or risk a capital event turning your assets into liabilities.

In every spark from a welder's torch, I see not just metal being fused but futures being shaped. Tsetserra Growth Partners is grounded in a simple mission: to bring technology to the heart of blue-collar industries. A memorable moment for me was witnessing our team implement advanced tech, a new welding automation system. The new system aimed to provide SMEs with the tools and capabilities previously accessible only to larger corporations. The skepticism was understandable, as our veteran welder first donned his face shield to test the new equipment. This enabled us to • reduce costs • increase efficiency • improve product quality The system really helped to level the playing field in our manufacturing sector. It helps small businesses to compete more effectively in the global market​. By integrating AI, we not only increased efficiency but also increased how safely we work. Advancing technology has empowered our best workers to focus on precision work, without the fatigue and needless risks involved with mundane, repetitive tasks. The result? Not just bottom line ROI, but a significant reduction in project time and a boost in morale. This experience justify my belief in the shared relationship between technology and traditional industries. Together, we're not just changing how work is done. We're elevating the art of the craft itself.

Buying a business isn’t smooth sailing. The myth is that decisions come easy—until you’re hit with surprises. I once inherited an employee promised, verbally, a commission on every phone sale by the previous owner. That promise wasn’t in any contract, and suddenly, you’re stuck dealing with legacy liabilities you never signed up for. It’s a messy maze of hidden commitments and overlooked details. If you think buying a business means a clean break and simple choices, think again. Welcome to the real world—where every deal has its skeletons.