ReQualifying

Whatsss uppp,

Sidetool started building for small customers, just trying to make it work. Back then, we could wing it—move fast, break stuff, fix it later. No one was watching too closely.

But now? The customers are bigger, the budgets are bigger, and the expectations? Through the roof. The old shortcuts and “good enough” just don’t work anymore.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: if we want to keep winning, we have to level up—every single one of us. That includes me. The CEO Sidetool needed six months ago? Not the one it needs today, and definitely not the one it’ll need in four months. If I stay the same, Sidetool should replace me. That’s the bar. And it’s not just for me—it’s for everyone.

Are you still the right person for your role? What will it take to be the teammate Sidetool needs next quarter? If you don’t know, let’s figure it out together. Want a coach? A book? A course? I’ll help you get it. The only way we win is if everyone is leveling up, all the time.

Here’s how that plays out:

• Think like an owner. Don’t just tick boxes—act like the customer’s business is yours. Our job is to make their business better, no excuses.

• Deliver real results. Be cool, build trust, but never lose sight of what actually matters. If you wouldn’t do it for your own company, say so. Speak up, clearly and respectfully.

• Show your work. Don’t assume customers know you’re crushing it—define what winning looks like, track it, and share it. People trust what they see, not what they hear.

• Be obsessed with value. If we charge $10K, we better deliver $100K+ in value. Care about their wins more than they do. Always go the extra mile.

• Start strong. Every kickoff should make it crystal clear what’s included, what’s not, and how we’ll measure success. No gray areas.

• Own your lane. Know your role, know your deliverables, and hold yourself (and your teammates) accountable. If something gets stuck, don’t just accept it—push, escalate, get it moving.

Just because you crushed it last quarter doesn’t mean you’re automatically the right fit for what Sidetool needs next. The company is changing fast, and so is every job here—including mine.

And don’t forget—the market’s moving even faster. Customers have a ton of options, and they’ll switch in a heartbeat if someone else does it better, faster, or with more polish. If we don’t keep re-qualifying for our own jobs, someone else is out there leveling up, using better tools, moving quicker, and ready to eat our lunch. Cursor, Auctor, whatever—it’s all fair game.

So, re-qualifying isn’t just about Sidetool. It’s about being the team our customers choose, every single time. It’s not a threat—it’s a badge of honor. It means you’re growing as fast as the company, and that’s what makes this place special.

Let’s keep earning our seats, every single day.

“It's always Day One” — Jeff Bezos! 🚀