How I Succeeded is a regular series on Lifehacker where we ask business leaders for the secrets and tactics behind their success. Today: Steve Scanlan, CEO at Struber.
Current gig: CEO, Recon Solutions
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Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Current mobile device: iPhone
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Current computer: Surface Pro
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One word that best describes how you work: Efficiently
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What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
LinkedIn, Jobadder, Xero and Facebook.
What social network do you find most useful?
LinkedIn.
What were the most important lessons you learned while growing your business?
Keep the business as lean as possible for as long as possible and cash is king.
What has been the most surprising part of your business journey?
I think it would have to be personal growth. As a young guy, I never believed that I was knowledgeable or smart enough to start my own business and succeed. So when I was lucky enough to attend a course at Harvard, I was downright nervous but quickly discovered that I had just as much to offer as the rest of the class.
Fast forward to what we’ve been able to achieve as an organisation is something I’m very proud of. I will also add that giving back to our community and sponsoring passionate people, such as Jeff Horn, has been tremendously rewarding for me personally, and for the business.
What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
Controlling the process. I believe in the power of process and formula, whether that’s in recruitment or consulting, to ensure that our business runs smoothly with few surprises.
What’s your sleep routine like?
I have an 18-month-old, so my current routine is dictated by her! Beyond my extenuating circumstances, I believe sleep is really important, so I try to go to bed early and wake up fresh.
What advice would you offer to other businesses on how to succeed?
Listen to your gut. 9/10 you’ll be right and on the odd occasion you’re not, you’ll learn from it.
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