10x Communication, 10x Problem Solving, 10x Investment

There are a ton of success concepts and principles that will help you achieve the results you want.

We’ll be examining how to 10x those results by giving you their 10x versions, together with their respective action steps that you can easily take, either as an employee, entrepreneur or investor.

Let’s begin.

For Employees

Success Principle: Effective Communication

Communication is an important aspect of our lives that we engage in all the time. Yet few of us spend the time to ensure that we can communicate properly.

Poor communication skills will result in frustration and misunderstandings at best, and serious conflicts and failed personal and business relationships at worst.

Communicating effectively means making sure your message is clear and that the person you’re talking to understands you completely.

Let’s say you’re working on a project with a team.

You might send weekly updates, respond to emails promptly, and make sure everyone knows the deadlines. If a teammate suggests a different approach, you listen and adapt if needed.

This kind of communication keeps things moving smoothly and shows respect for everybody’s input.

That’s well and good, but can we make it better?

👉 The 10x Version: Strategic Communication

We add two things to our communication to increase its impact. They are:

1. Intent

2 Timing.

The 10x Employee thinks about what to say, how to say it, and the best moment to say it.

👉 Why it’s more powerful

With strategic communication, the 10x Employee creates collaboration and increases productivity which will compound their results.

By revealing the “why” behind each task, they prevent misunderstandings and help align everyone toward the same goals.

Their approach makes them a trusted leader and colleague as they update, engage, motivate and bring out the best in others.

👉👉 The 10x Steps

Step 1: Define Your Purpose

Before speaking or writing, clarify your goal. Are you updating, asking for support, or aligning the team?

For example, if you’re updating the team on project progress, decide if you’re simply informing or preparing them for upcoming challenges.

If you’re just informing, keep it brief and focus on key milestones reached, highlighting any positive progress. For example, “We’re 80% done and on track to meet our deadline.”

However, if you’re preparing them for challenges, be clear about potential obstacles and what the team might need to address. You could say, “We’re on track, but there’s a potential delay with vendor shipments. Let’s brainstorm backup plans in case this impacts our timeline.”

You’re adding a couple more lines to your communication, but the difference in impact is huge.

Step 2: Know Your Audience

Consider who you’re talking to and what matters to them. Tailor your message to match their priorities. For a senior manager, focus on big-picture outcomes; for a teammate, include actionable details that help them move forward.

Step 3: Choose the Right Timing

Timing matters. Address urgent issues right away but wait for the right moment to introduce new ideas.

So if a teammate is deep in a deadline, hold non-urgent feedback until they’re free.

Step 4: Set the Tone and Structure

Use a positive, clear tone, and start with your main point. For example, in an email update, begin with a headline like “Project X is 80% Complete” to help readers grasp the status quickly.

Step 5: Connect to the Bigger Picture

Link your message to broader goals whenever possible. Instead of simply assigning a task or giving an update, a 10x Employee explains why the work is important.

For example, if you’re asking a teammate to prioritise a report, don’t just say, “Please finish this by Friday.”

Instead, say, “Finishing this by Friday will allow us to present the latest data at Monday’s client meeting, which is key to keeping them on board.”

Step 6: Engage and Invite Feedback

Show you value input by asking questions and listening actively. When rolling out a new process, for instance, ask, “How can we make this work for everyone?” Then see what you can do to actually make it work for everyone.

Step 7: Follow Up and Reinforce

After your message, follow up to confirm understanding and accountability. A quick recap email after a meeting with action items can keep everyone on track.

Step 8: Reflect and Refine

After major communications, take a moment to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. If questions arose during your last update, address them proactively next time.

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For Entrepreneurs

Success Principle: Solve Your Customers’ Problems Quickly

A good entrepreneur addresses customer pain points directly.

For example, if a customer struggles with the setup of a new software tool, they might create a tutorial or offer one-on-one help to walk the customer through it. They respond to problems as they come up, making small improvements to products or services to meet customer needs.

👉 The 10x Version: Transformational Problem-Solving

A 10x Entrepreneur seeks solutions that don’t just fix a current issue, but create future growth opportunities as well.

Why it’s more powerful:

The 10x Entrepreneur’s approach tackles the root cause of the problem, reducing future issues while adding value to the product.

This type of solution attracts more customers and creates loyalty, setting the business apart from competitors who may only address surface-level issues.

👉👉 The 10x Steps To Take

Step 1: Identify the Root Cause of the Problem

Start by investigating why the problem exists in the first place. For instance, if customers consistently struggle with setting up your software tool, dig deeper to understand exactly which parts of the setup are confusing. Look at customer feedback, support requests, and any other patterns that reveal pain points.

Step 2: Envision an Ideal, Long-Term Solution

Once you know the root cause, imagine what the ideal, frictionless experience would look like. Think beyond a quick fix.

For instance, instead of simply adding another tutorial, imagine an interface so intuitive that customers rarely need help in the first place. Define what a user-friendly setup process would entail.

Step 3: Design a Solution That Adds Value and Scalability

With your ideal solution in mind, plan improvements that not only resolve the issue but also enhance the product’s overall appeal. In the software example, this could mean a redesigned interface that’s easy to navigate and visually guides users through the setup process.

Consider future scalability as well. How can this change support new features or products in the future?

Step 4: Invest in User-Centered Design and Testing

Work with a user experience or user interface (UX/UI) designer to bring this new experience to life, focusing on creating an interface that is intuitive for the user without much training. Conduct user testing to ensure the redesigned setup process truly addresses the initial problems and is simple for users to navigate.

Incidentally, it’s astounding to me that so few businesses, including the major tech companies like Google and Meta,actually skip this step or do them so poorly. You could tell that they release major apps and solutions with navigation menus and user interfaces designed by their programmers who are not specialised in UX/UI.

How do I know this?

Because sometimes I couldn’t figure out how to use some of their apps or solutions (including their advertising dashboard) or understand what they’re trying to say to me, or know what button(s) to press (or not press), without tearing my hair out.

They are probably losing billions and billions of dollars in extra ad dollars because they could not make their self-service ads service easy to use and understand for the people they’re meant for — the millions and millions of small businesses who could not, or do not know how to, hire ad agencies to help them.

Step 5: Build Self-Serve Support Resources

Create additional resources that enable our customers to succeed independently. We could set up a customer success portal with FAQs, video tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and best practices. They enable our customers to solve common issues without waiting for support, reducing friction and building confidence all at the same time.

Step 6: Launch a Customer Community

Set up a community platform (such as a forum or chat group) where users can share tips, ask questions, and connect. This gives customers a space to interact and learn from each other, building a sense of community around your product.

Over time, this can reduce support demands, as users find solutions through the community. Some of their issues might form the basis of new products and services for your business, thus helping it grow.

Step 7: Track Customer Feedback and Continuously Improve

Once the new interface and resources are live, collect customer feedback to see what’s working and what could be improved. Monitor how these changes impact customer satisfaction, product usage, and support requests. Use this data to make ongoing adjustments and to keep refining the customer experience.

For Investors

Success Principle: Goal-Oriented Investment

A goal-oriented investor might set a target to save $2,000,000 for retirement in 20 years. They might invest in a diversified mutual fund and periodically check their portfolio to ensure it’s on track with their retirement goals. They adjust their investments as necessary based on their progress toward the target amount.

👉 10x Version: Purpose-Driven Investment Strategy

A 10x Investor approaches investing with a clear purpose and intent for each decision. For example, instead of just aiming to reach a dollar amount for retirement, they design their portfolio with a mix of assets that work towards multiple goals: some for growth, some for passive income, and some for preserving wealth.

👉 Why it’s more powerful:

The purpose-driven approach allows the 10x Investor to build a portfolio that grows with their life goals.

By investing with intent, they’re not chasing returns alone.

They’re ensuring every dollar is working toward a specific objective.

This strategy reduces emotional responses to market fluctuations and keeps the investor focused, resulting in compounded gains, tax efficiency, and financial stability that support long-term wealth building.

👉👉 The 10x Steps To Take

Step 1: Define Clear Financial Goals

Start by listing out what you want your investments to achieve beyond just a dollar amount. Are you aiming for early retirement, financial security, creating generational wealth, or funding a family legacy? Define timelines and priorities for each goal so that you have a clear vision of your investment endgame.

Step 2: Identify Asset Categories for Each Goal

Break down your portfolio into categories that serve different purposes. For instance:

• Growth Assets: Stocks in high-growth sectors or emerging markets.

• Passive Income: Dividend-paying stocks, rental properties, or REITs.

• Wealth Preservation: Bonds, precious metals, or other low-volatility assets. Assign each asset category based on how it supports your goals.
  

Step 3: Select Tax-Efficient Investment Options

Choose assets and accounts that help minimise taxes. For instance, consider tax-efficient funds, such as index funds, or use tax-advantaged accounts (like IRAs or 401(k)s). The goal is to maximise after-tax returns and ensure more of your investment grows over time.

Step 4: Invest in Real Estate or Other Cash Flow Assets

To build a reliable income stream, consider cash-flow-producing assets such as rental properties, REITs, or other dividend-paying assets. These investments provide passive income while potentially appreciating in value over time, supporting both income needs and long-term growth.

Step 5: Diversify for Stability and Opportunity

Spread investments across multiple asset classes, sectors, and geographical locations. This diversification protects your portfolio from major losses and keeps it balanced, allowing you to take advantage of growth opportunities without risking everything on one area.

Step 6: Regularly Review and Rebalance

Every few months, review your portfolio to ensure it still aligns with your goals and risk tolerance. Rebalance to adjust for market shifts or changes in your personal goals. For instance, if your portfolio has grown heavily in one sector, consider selling some assets to maintain your target balance.

Step 7: Monitor for Tax Advantages and Loss Harvesting

Keep an eye on potential tax-saving opportunities, like tax-loss harvesting, to offset gains. This helps you maximise after-tax returns, which is especially useful if you’re aiming for wealth preservation and efficiency.

Step 8: Stay Focused on Long-Term Goals, Not Market Noise

Purpose-driven investing means focusing on your big-picture goals, not short-term market fluctuations. Avoid reactive decisions, like panic selling, by keeping your goals in mind. This calm, steady approach compounds gains over time and reduces emotional decisions.

As you can see, there is a huge difference between the usual success principle and its 10x version.

Sure, the 10x version takes more effort, but it’s not 10x more effort. It’s just more directed effort on the things that matter.

And, as you might have noticed, sometimes just KNOWING the difference alone is enough. How exciting is that?

Talk again soon.

Cheers!

P.S. Know of someone who could benefit from the above? Refer The 10x Factors to them.