Whether your company is a startup or an established Fortune 500 behemoth, you've got to stay up with the times. You need new business models to meet the new demands of our changing economy. Joe Dwyer leads a company that builds high-growth new business models for both new and established companies. In this episode of The Critical Shift, Tom speaks with Joe about his early life, how he got into design and tech in the first place, and why he has created a company that helps businesses stay on the cutting edge.

No matter your industry, you’ve got to keep up with the changes that occur.

No matter what business model you have built your company on, it won't last. Every market changes. Every industry changes even if it's only small bits at a time. Recognizing that truth has enabled Joe Dwyer and the team at Digital Intent to find a place helping companies make the pivots necessary to stay profitable in an ever-changing world. In this conversation, Joe talks with Tom about the creation of Digital Intent and how his life journey has taken him to a place of success. You'll enjoy the stories Joe has to tell.

Imagine being put on a plane to Europe at 11 years old with nobody waiting at the other end.

When Joe Dwyer was 11 years old his parents put him on an airplane and pointed him toward Europe. When he arrived, he got off the plane, retrieved his luggage, hailed a taxi, and traveled to his uncle's home... and his uncle wasn't even there. That is the independent kind of life that Joe's parents taught him how to live and he feels it was instrumental in enabling him to be confident and proactive in not only building a career but building his life. Joe's doing the same thing with his children now, only a little more guarded and seeing the benefits manifested in their lives also. You'll be surprised at some of the things Joe has experienced and how those experiences have shaped his life so be sure you listen to this episode.

Who’s the most important influence on your life? For this co-founder, it’s his wife.

One of the obstacles that Joe Dwyer has had to overcome in his life is the condition of attention deficit disorder. He credits his wife with being his greatest champion and best support in that struggle and points out in this conversation how she has helped him time and time again to avoid the mistakes that would otherwise have happened in his career if he had been blazing a trail all on his own. You can hear this beautiful description of a great married team in this conversation. You don't want to miss this.

Every startup has to be a team sport.

It's impossible for any founder to have the skill mix and abilities to handle every situation that is going to arise in the birth of a new company. Joe Dwyer has seen many startups succeed and many others fail and it's his observation that every startup has to be what he calls a "team sport" in order to be the success that is desired. In this conversation, Joe shares why he believes that and how smart founders are the ones who surround themselves with people who are gifted in areas where they are not.

Outline of This Episode

• [1:10 ] The unique opportunity Joe had to go to school in Europe as a kid.
• [9:24] The American problem of not being able to relate to other people in the world.
• [13:12] How travel impacts the way Joe has learned to do business.
• [15:22] The vital impact Joe’s wife Nancy has had on his career.
• [17:44] Joe’s first business venture.
• [22:46] Why startups are a team sport.
• [27:40] Teaching as the best way to learn.
• [32:11] The one thing Joe’s team does to help companies.

Resources & People Mentioned

• Digital Intent - Joe’s company
• http://founderequity.com/ - Joe’s equity company
• BOOK: Mindset by Carol Dweck

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