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Kā zināt un iet savu ceļu darbā vai biznesā? Vai jēdziens "sirds ceļš darbā” vispār eksistē, vai tas ir tikai skaists mīts? Ja darbā / biznesā piedzīvo praktisku vai emocionālu iestrēgumu - šī epizode ir Tev. Ilze Švarcbaha, Signe Robinsone, Nauris Skride un Farhads Niyoz atklāti sarunājas par to, kā iziet no iestrēgumiem, atrast savu aicinājumu un nepazaudēt sevi darbā. Arī kā atšķirt īslaicīgu apnikumu no nepareizā ceļa. Mēs runājam par praktiskiem soļiem - ko darīt, ja svētdienas vakarā pārņem šausmas par pirmdienu? Vai palikt un "ciesties" vai riskēt un iet prom? Šajā epizodē uzzināsi: ✅ Sirds ceļš - mīts vai reāla iespēja? ✅ Signes, Naura un Ilzes personīgos stāstus par "melnajām bedrēm" un izeju no tām. ✅ Kāpēc mēs baidāmies mainīt vidi, kas mums nepatīk. ✅ Praktiskus padomus par deleģēšanu un savas vērtības celšanu. ✅ Kā dzīves satricinājumi kļūst par pagrieziena punktiem. 00:00 Ievads: Kāpēc mēs sanācām uz šo sarunu? 06:29 Vai "sirds ceļš" darbā vispār eksistē? 07:10 Signes stāsts: Krīze un atklāsme 15:35 Naura stāsts: Kad darbs kļūst par hobiju 17:03 Ilzes stāsts: Īstā ceļa atrašana caur eksperimentiem un izslēgšanu 24:50 Kad ar saviem spēkiem nepietiek: Kad meklēt palīdzību? 31:46 Praktiskie šķēršļi: Pārslodze, cenu celšana un deleģēšana 37:22 Ko darīt, ja darbs vairs nepatīk? 50:43 Uzņēmēja strupceļš: Ko darīt, ja nesanāk? 59:52 Dvēseles "trenažieru zāle": Skats uz grūtībām no malas 1:12:07 Vīzija: Kā iegūt skatu nākotnē 1:22:54 Kas Tev ir iekšējā motivācija tajā, ko dari? 1:26:38 Kā pārdzīvot "melnās bedres" un krīzes brīžus? 1:34:43 Noslēguma ceļavārdi un ieteikumi Farhads Niyoz palīdz veidot veiksmīgu uzņēmumu vai karjeru atbilstoši personīgajām vērtībām. Atziņas, meistarklases un individuālas sesijas. Klienti - privātpersonas un uzņēmumu dibinātāji un vadītāji, tsk. Shen.ai (Polija), Unosol (Lietuva), Monetizr (Latvija) un 100+ citu uzņēmumu vadītāji. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ Ātrā info: https://taplink.cc/farhadniyoz Mājas lapa: https://www.cocoonprogram.com/

Is your company’s growth capped by your own capacity? At a certain stage, scaling stops being about "what" you do and becomes entirely about "how" you set up your internal engine. If you feel like you're constantly putting out fires instead of executing your strategy, this Scalability Masterclass is for you. Farhad Niyoz (CEO of Cocoon) and Martins Bicevskis (Professional Board Member) break down the "Scalability Puzzle" - the specific disconnects between Strategy, Execution, and Team that create friction and kill profitability. In this video, you will learn: • The Strategy Trap: Why most strategic plans detach from reality and how to fix the "buy-in" problem. • Escaping Firefighting: How to move from reactive problem-solving to a steady execution rhythm. • The Team Equation: How to spot C-level mis-hires and why "nice" CEOs often fail to scale. • Practical Tools: A core team exercise you can run immediately to spot blockers. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and goals 02:06 Meet the speakers: Farhad and Martins 04:58 Understanding company scalability 08:37 The role of strategy in scaling 09:08 Strategy content 21:08 Strategy process: staying realistic 25:47 Strategy buy-in: alignment and accountability 29:43 Navigating investor disagreements 34:37 The role of execution in scaling 38:47 CEO responsibilities: firefighting vs. planning 39:56 Financial hygiene for CEOs 42:54 Delegating responsibility and decisions 47:58 Building a steady execution system 54:20 The role of the team in scaling 58:38 Team setup: placement, structure, and collaboration 59:59 Team journey 1:04:50 Leadership principles 1:07:19 Leading by example vs. motivating 1:11:55 Action step: the growth blockers assessment 1:13:46 How to get individual support 1:11:09 Creating a sense of ownership 1:14:11 Closing thoughts and open discussion 1:15:04 Love what you do vs. Do what you love 1:16:44 The Nvidia lesson: starting small Resources & Next Steps: 🔹 Free Growth Blockers Assessment: https://www.cocoonprogram.com/assessment 🔹 Learn more about Cocoon: https://www.cocoonprogram.com/ 🔹 Request an individual session: https://www.cocoonprogram.com/grow-with-us 🔹 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/ About the Speakers: Farhad Niyoz is the CEO of Cocoon, a mentor, and a former tech founder. He helps growth-stage CEOs build strong, aligned teams that execute autonomously, preventing the founder from becoming the bottleneck. Martins Bicevskis is a professional supervisory board member and C-Suite advisor.​ He advises CEOs on scaling, org design, and high-stakes transitions pre- and post-IPO, drawing on experience leading teams in the hundreds.

Running a startup but can't get VCs interested? Struggling to keep co-founders aligned? Build IT's Matiss Neimanis breaks down why he's rejected promising startups, what happens when founders fight, and why sitting on two chairs (keeping your day job too long) usually kills the company. Managing 50+ early-stage investments taught him when to trust data versus gut feeling. Plus, he shares how getting seriously ill forced him to rethink managing both a VC fund and his personal life - without sacrificing either. This is real talk for founders dealing with co-founder tensions, struggling with investor rejections, or trying to figure out when to quit their day jobs.  Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

When one founder went from 70-hour work weeks to spending days in bed, and another switched from intense corporate life to running a health tech startup, they learned energy management is as important as business management. An honest conversation about what actually drains leaders' energy (hint: it's rarely the workload), why some team dynamics are literally exhausting, and practical ways to spot energy vampires in your organization. For leaders who want to stop confusing being tired with being effective. 🔔Welcome to Inner Power Particles. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders: ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Uncover how to scale your business fast with clarity ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/scale Follow Remi Koscielny, Co-founder, CEO @ Shen.AI | Healthcare Innovator ❇️ Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3P8UsSY Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

In this episode, Kristaps, CEO of Language Inspired, reveals how he bootstrapped a thriving localization company, overcame co-founder challenges, and built a remote-first team driven by values. Discover practical insights on scaling sustainably and creating a business you love. 🔔Welcome to Inner Power Particles. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders: ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Uncover how to scale your business fast with clarity ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/scale Follow Kristaps Lapins, CEO of Language Inspired ❇️ Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3VnKW1U Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

In this episode, Tõnu Vahtra, Head of Service Operations at Playtech, shares hard-won insights on scaling and preparing for acquisition from a buyer's perspective. We discuss the challenges of maintaining team morale and alignment through rapid growth, designing scalable decision-making processes, and why burnout prevention is crucial for high-performing teams. Tõnu also dives into what acquirers look for, common startup pitfalls, and key strategies to increase a company’s attractiveness for acquisition. For founders and leaders, this episode offers actionable advice on creating lasting value and preparing for the demands of scaling up. 🔔Welcome to Inner Power Particles. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders: ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Uncover how to scale your business fast with clarity ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/scale Follow Tõnu Vahtra, Head of Service Operations at Playtech ❇️ Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3YYA8It Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

When studying to be a dentist, Sergejs parallelly became a sales person at a dental supplies company, which was way out of his comfort zone. This approach of leaving his comfort zone, coupled with seeing and taking the low-hanging fruit, has led him to find and grow multiple successful dental clinics and start investing in tech companies. In this episode, we unpack and analyse his journey to extract actionable insights for others who want to improve their career and business. 🔔Welcome to Inner Power Particles. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders: ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Uncover how to scale your business fast with clarity ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/scale Follow Sergejs Andrijevskis, Owner, CEO at Dental Art Implant Clinic Ltd ❇️ Linkedin: https://bit.ly/3Y19kYO Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

In this episode, I sit down with Madis, a former scaleup CEO who made the tough decision to step away from his company and take a sabbatical. We discussed what pushed him to leave a growing business with 400 paying customers and how he dealt with the following identity crisis.  Madis opens up about the challenges of managing expectations—his own and those of others—and how he's finding new meaning in work and life.  If you're a founder considering a significant change, this one's for you. Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Follow Madis Lehtmets, Designer & Entrepreneur ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madis-lehtmets   Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

Discover how Nauris Skride transitioned from a software engineer to the CEO of Adaptive Media. What challenges did he face? How did he manage team dynamics and set realistic goals?  Hear about his approach to decision-making and long-term planning. There are insights on leadership and growth in a startup environment that are not to be missed. Tune in to uncover valuable lessons and inspiring stories from his journey. Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources   Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

In this episode, Indrek and Farhad explore balancing hands-on management with effective delegation while avoiding micromanagement.  Indrek talks about his transition to empowering his team and the strategic decision to bring on a COO. Indrek opens up about dealing with betrayals, navigating team dynamics, and keeping work-life balance in check.  Learn about his real-world insights on tackling CEO challenges and building a collaborative company culture. Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Follow Indrek Jaal, Founder&CEO at GlobalReader ❇️ Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/indrek-jaal-48107178   Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

In this episode, we explore the art and best practices of running effective meetings tailored for C-level management and founders. Martins Bicevskis, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in both governmental and private sectors, and Farhad Niyoz, an experienced entrepreneur and business mentor, share their expertise on optimizing meetings to extract maximum potential. Learn the critical steps for preparing, conducting, and concluding meetings, understand the importance of clear responsibilities, and discover strategies for leading productive discussions. Whether you want to improve decision-making, have a better team alignment, or improve the overall value of your meetings, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice.  Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Follow Mārtiņš Bičevskis, Non-Executive Director ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinsbicevskis/   Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

In this episode, we discuss how Anna switched from running startups to founding two purposeful NGOs - Riga Tech Girls and StartSchool. We explored what each organisation does for its members and the broader society. But then we went deeper into personal topics and looked at what motivated Anna to venture into this path and how she approached the downturn that followed a fast growth period. We looked into the organisational topics - what decisions were made and how they were made to ensure the organisation survives the downturn and thrives. And also at the personal topics - how Anna experienced that period and how her insights can support other founders navigating downturns.  Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Follow Anna Andersone, Co-founder & CEO, Chair of the Board at Riga TechGirls ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annalebedoka/   Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

Unresolved personal conflicts impact or even block our success and well-being, especially, with the closest ones. When we have inner tension with our father, it limits our ability to achieve our goals, to know who we are and what we genuinely desire. In this episode, we explore reconciling with fathers: 1. when does it matter 2. what have been our journeys and takeaways 3. and how it has impacted our lives. Welcome to the Inner Power Particles podcast. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to grow their inner power. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can grow as a leader and a person. Resources:  Inner growth and business growth guidance for founders and leaders:  ❇️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Follow Ingmar Elm, mentor and teambuilding event organiser ❇️ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingmar-elm-4a62099/   Follow Farhad Niyoz, authentic growth guide and CEO of Cocoon Program  ❇️ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farhadniyoz/ ❇️  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhadniyoz/

Behind every great leader and CEO stands a team. It is high high-performing, efficient, open-minded, and united team of professionals following a common mission and vision. It is a team with the highest-class company culture where everyone feels safe and can express themselves. Culture always comes first. Nothing is personal. There is a problem - there must be a solution. In this episode, Cocoon Program CEO Farhad Niyoz talks with a mentor at Cocoon Program and a partner of Aruma Ventures and Globus International - Jin Han. They talk about key aspects that define culture in the company; how to scale relationships within your team and also different stakeholders; and why the most important thing you might be missing is understanding what your employees believe about you and their workplace. Expect to learn lots of practical ideas and tips not only on building better relationships with team and stakeholders but also with your partner and within yourself on this journey of entrepreneurial path. Jump into the topics: 00:00 Switching continents to pursue new roles 1:35 How three simple values can guide your every choice 3:44 Consulting Fortune 500 companies: Sharing the most important scaling lesson for startups 11:17 Key to success - understanding, accepting, and mastering different business cultures 16:27 How to build a safe space for employees so that everyone can yell and scream 19:47 The problems are in the situations, not in the people 23:13 Advice for CEOs: How to deal with a situation that has escalated to become personal 27:15 Executing demotion/role change without burning relationships 30:36 Get rid of toxic employees or sacrifice your company culture 35:49 Defining “ safety in work culture” and how to build it 40:14 How employee beliefs affect their behavior 44:18 The connection between relationships and defensive mechanisms 46:25 Finding self-acceptance before seeking love 50:33 How to evaluate your self-acceptance 51:54 Advice on relationships and how to find the right partner 56:38 Difference between character and personality 57:52 Importance of living up to your values Welcome to Inner Power Particles. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to improve their inner strength. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can improve as a leader and a person. Resources: To learn more useful tools for CEOs and C-level managers, ➡️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Uncover how to scale your business fast with clarity, ➡️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/scale Follow Jin Han's mentor at the Cocoon Program ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanjinw/ Follow Farhad Niyoz CEO of the Cocoon Program ➡️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/Mentors/Farhad-Niyoz

Should I pivot or keep searching for the right business model? For many founders, this dilemma feels like the final decision to make. Do we keep going or is this the end of our journey? In this episode, Cocoon Program CEO Farhad Niyoz talks with COO & Co-Founder of Monetizr Martins Bratuskins. Martins tells his experience of what happens in the founder's mind when the passion for an idea is so powerful that even after several near-bankruptcies there is a fire to keep going. Both entrepreneurs share their different perspectives on what it means to be your authentic self and how meaningful connections bring honest conversations and have transformed their business into a more open and efficient work environment. Expect to hear learned lessons and practical advice on topics such as: ➡️ How to train your intuition ➡️ Why it is important to hire fast and fire fast ➡️ When to know it is time to part ways with a co-founder ➡️ What mistakes to avoid when dealing with investor money ➡️ How being your authentic self will boost your team dynamics and trust ➡️ The difference between business-oriented and personal growth-oriented mentorship Jump into the topics: 00:30 Welcome COO & Co-Founder of Monetizr Martins Bratuskins 1:19 Creating meaningful experiences inside a network of mobile games 4:41 Three steps for validating your idea 6:05 Finding a co-founder with similar problems 8:52 How to recognize the moment to pivot instead of quitting 14:42 Saving business with the right connection at the right time 17:44 Finding the perfect customer fit for one last try 20:03 Reshaping the team's mindset for the company's final push 22:39 Learning from near-bankruptcy experiences to maintain a positive mindset 25:19 Bringing innovation to one of the biggest industries in the world 27:02 Most valuable lessons from breaking up with a co-founder 29:00 How to recognize when to split with your founder 31:50 Mastering feedback for more efficient relationships 38:17 Building with passion not a goal to exit 40:29 Avoid this mistake when spending investor money 44:39 What to focus on when onboarding new team members 50:03 Balancing data with intuition driven decision making 51:17 How to train and use your intuition 53:38 Why strong relationships will scale your startup to the next level 55:29 Importance of inner growth oriented mentorship for a founder 56:45 Most impactful changes for Martins in past years Welcome to Inner Power Particles. We talk with entrepreneurs and leaders about their challenges and lessons learned to improve their inner strength. We do this to share their journey and knowledge with you so that you can improve as a leader and a person. Resources: To learn more useful tools for CEOs and C-level managers, ➡️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/resources Uncover how to scale your business fast with clarity, ➡️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/scale Follow Martins Bratuskins, COO & Co-Founder of Monetizr ➡️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/martins-bratuskins/ Follow Farhad Niyoz CEO of Cocoon Program ➡️ https://www.cocoonprogram.com/Mentors/Farhad-Niyoz