Malcolm Peace's Linkedin Analytics

POV: Late nights on the balcony in Cambodia. This was me last summer. Working while my kids dream and geckos keep me company. Burning the midnight oil isn’t always easy, But it’s part of being an entrepreneur. Sometimes, those late hours are what your business needs to succeed. It’s a reminder for me that dedication and a unique work environment can drive success.

For better or worse. Most businesses are a reflection of their owner. I remember walking into a business where the owner, who was supposed to be there for due diligence, was MIA. The staff joked, "He’s the guy that’s always gone." That was the culture. Hands-off and it showed in how the business ran. The thing is, culture can make or break a company. You can have all the tech in the world, but if the culture isn’t right, you're trying to fix a plumbing issue without knowing where the leak is. Sometimes, you’ve got to put pressure on the system—like pushing sales through the funnel—to see where things crack. You can’t fix what you don’t see. Pressure reveals the cracks, and that’s where the real work begins.

Sometimes, the best way forward is to look back. We acquired a manufacturing business with designs untouched for 30-40 years. That’s where I see an opportunity to help the business thrive. We modernized it while keeping its original core design and added new tech and AI to enhance its efficiency and capabilities. It was a challenge introducing new tech to the team but when I led them to change, and they saw the potential it could bring to the business, that’s when I know they have decided to go all in. It's proof that you don't always need to reinvent the wheel. All you need is a little upgrade.

You won't be perfect at everything. And that's alright. - get your hands dirty, - make it work, - when the time is right, strive for greatness. When we first started out, we didn’t have the luxury of time or resources to worry about making everything perfect. We're doing what was necessary to keep the ship afloat. As the business stabilized, that’s when I started thinking about greatness... Implementing advanced tech and refining processes. In those early days, it was all about the hustle, not having everything perfectly polished. Your business will go through different seasons, and they all call for different hustles. Don't get stuck trying to get everything to be perfect. Good enough is good enough.

You can’t build the future if you forget the past. Balancing innovation with legacy isn’t just a challenge, it's our obligation. When we acquired a business that had been around for decades, I knew we couldn’t just rip out the old ways and force in the new. There was a legacy to respect, A way of doing things that had earned the trust of loyal customers. So, instead of bulldozing everything, we carefully integrated modern technology while keeping the core values intact. We automated the back-end processes but kept the customer service as personal as ever. The result? A business that’s not only more efficient but also more trusted by its customers. You can’t build a future worth having if you forget the legacy that got you here.

99% of these so-called "dealmakers" don’t get it. They’re always: - glued to vanity metrics - obsessed with numbers - forget about the people behind them They treat businesses like disposable commodities, not living entities with real stories. Most of them are just too busy chasing cash to care. Too much "get-rich-quick mentality." Not enough "heart and soul." Closing deals is not our only goal. I remember one deal early on. The seller was nervous, hands shaking during the handshake, and I realized it wasn’t about the business. It was his father’s business, passed down, and built from the ground up. He wasn’t selling a company, he was selling a legacy. That’s when it hit me — this is personal. For him, for me, for all of us. We build relationships, provide support, and help them achieve their goals.

Tired of your old gear slowing you down? We’ve been digging deep into the latest laser technology at one of our manufacturing plants. And it’s a game-changer. Tried it myself and was able to see the difference. Swapped out old equipment for this high-tech stuff and cranked up production speed by over 30%, and cut down on waste. It’s like adding an extra shift without hiring more people. Equip businesses with the tools they need to stay ahead of the curve. If you're in a blue-collar industry and ready to level up your tech game, my DM is open!

Everyone wants the prize – few are willing to earn it. I used to think business success was all about winning big. But becoming a father changed the way I define success. On a trip to Singapore with my daughters, I made a game: If they learned the history of a spot, they got candy. Simple, right? But if they skipped the details or rushed through? No candy. No shortcuts. It hit me—this is exactly how business (and life) works. You want the reward? ✅ Pay attention ✅ Put in the work ✅ Understand what you're building That’s what I try to teach my kids—because the best lessons aren’t just taught, they’re lived. Happy Father’s Day to the dads who lead by example.

Consistency beats intensity. In business, it’s easy to get caught up in bursts of energy and big pushes, but it’s the steady, consistent effort that truly drives long-term success. Small, consistent actions add up over time, creating momentum that’s hard to stop. Focus on doing a little bit better every day, and the results will follow. What small actions are you focusing on to drive consistent growth?

Maybe stop for a moment and try building relationships. 90% of business owners I see don’t do this: - Flaunt the latest tech without knowing what problem it solves. - Chase the sale like it’s the only thing that matters. - Treat technology like it can replace people instead of making them better at their jobs. Too much selling and showing off. Not enough listening and understanding. I believe in a different approach: - Empathy. Actually understand the people using tech - Collaborate. Partner up and find solutions that fit like a glove. Focus on value. Make tech work for people. _______________________________ Here's my team collaborating to build a new function to our machines.

Business doesn’t care about your plans. Sometimes, it just throws a punch, and you’ve got to roll with it. A while back, we thought we had a product with solid profit margins. But when we dug deeper, we found out the margins were much lower than expected. It hit hard. Instead of accepting the loss, we went into overdrive. We reevaluated everything. our pricing, our processes, our cost structure. We made the tough calls, adjusted our strategy, and turned things around. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Business is a constant fight. You either adapt and survive, or you get left behind.

Getting your hands dirty builds character. My mission is to bring advancing technology to blue-collar businesses, making hard work a bit easier and more efficient. But it all starts with learning the value of effort and teamwork, just like my kids building treats for bears in Cambodia. Back when I was starting out, I remember hustling to get people on board with my vision. It wasn’t always about the latest tech. Sometimes it was about rolling up our sleeves and getting the job done together. I once had to personally handle a shipment issue by flying out to solve the problem face-to-face. That experience taught me the importance of being hands-on and proactive. Real progress starts with rolling up your sleeves and getting involved.

Centralization might feel like control, but in reality, it’s a trap. When everything flows through one person, the whole system gets bogged down. Build strong teams, train them well, and then get out of their way.

Success doesn’t come without failures. Not always easy to put into practice because failure can be really tough to deal with. But you can’t grow if you’re not willing to face the hard truths and adapt quickly. Instead of seeing failures as setbacks, try to view them as opportunities to learn and improve. It's a chance to reassess, refine, and come back stronger than before.

Happy hours and catchy slogans won’t cut it. The real game-changer? It’s about creating a culture of ownership. If your employees don’t feel like they own part of the game, they won’t play to win. My mission has always been to bring real solutions into blue-collar businesses—not just through technology, but by creating a culture of ownership, accountability, and buy-in. A while back, I noticed something wasn’t clicking with the team. Projects were dragging, and morale was down. It wasn’t about skill—it was about clarity and ownership. So, I implemented KPIs for every department. And instead of just handing them out, I involved everyone in the process. They helped build the metrics, and suddenly, it wasn’t just "my" company anymore—it was "ours." That one shift changed everything. Performance went up. Communication improved. People were proud of what they were doing because they had a hand in shaping it. Keep in mind... People will work harder for something they helped create. Let them build your vision with you.

Almost… Almost there Almost closed the deal Almost had it all – then it almost went in flames. Ever had a seller try to play both sides? This deal almost tanked because the owner was dead-set on selling, so much so that they let competing buyers walk through the door during my exclusivity period. A big no-no — and definitely not in the agreement. Sometimes you have to swallow the offense and navigate it delicately if you still want the deal. I stayed firm but diplomatic, reminded the seller of our agreement, and reined in the situation. In the end, we closed the deal, but the taste of that close call? Still bitter. When desperation kicks in, some sellers break all the rules. You think that will get you the deal? No, it will cause you to lose it.

Advanced automation is useless… if the messaging is a mess. Effective automation is 20% advanced systems and 80% clear messaging. You can have the most advanced and meticulously crafted systems, but they mean nothing when your messaging is confusing. There are only two possible scenarios for this: 1. Your recipients’ attention is quickly lost, and you bid conversions goodbye 2. You’re going to be spending time explaining what you do to each person who replies (which, quite frankly, defeats the whole purpose of automation) Automation should save us more time, not create more tasks. Be creative, but cut the fluff.

Real leadership isn’t about holding all the cards. It’s about knowing when to hand them over. Trust your team and give them room to grow.

Do not recruit just to fill the seat. Find the right person who fits the culture and aligns with the mission. Don't settle for less.

Don’t let anyone tell you that taking a break means slacking off. In the crazy world of business, especially in those hands-on industries, the grind can be overwhelming. But you know what's just as important as working hard? Taking a break. This camping trip with the kiddos and Riley, our dog, has been a total lifesaver. We’ve been trying to put out fires and keep the lights on for the past few months. But I've been able to chill out, unplug, and just enjoy the simple things. It's crazy how a little time in nature can recharge your batteries. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step away from the chaos and relax your body and mind.