ZED Portfolio, 84 Newman Street, London (2026)

27/04/2026

It was St.Georges Day yesterday. He who famously slayed the dragon. Not with his courage, or his strong hands, or his elegant spear handle - although all count - none more so than the TIP OF HIS SPEAR.

That is what your Value Proposition is all about. A sharp tip or your offer is going to fail or not get heard.

Here's what I see - the good and the bad

✅ Founders finally nailing their target market
✅ Founders even forensically identifying their ideal customer personas
❌ Then....they completely fumble explaining WHY someone should buy from them.
❌ They don't make enough sales and can't work out why?

The problem? Most supposed value propositions sound vague like this. They are all St.Georges hands, spear handle etc...basically not the TIP.

"We provide innovative solutions..."
"We have Best-in-class service..."
"We have Cutting-edge technology..."

You see that word 'we' = Change it immediately to YOU.

Your ideal customer doesn't care about "innovative solutions." They care about THEIR problem getting solved.

Example of WEAK vs STRONG:

❌ Weak: "We provide innovative cloud-based solutions for modern businesses"
✅ Strong: "We help Founders cut their project delivery time by 40% without hiring more staff saving YOU thousands of pounds."
See the difference?

👉 My Business Growth Foundations Scorecard assesses all 7 elements of your sustainable growth readiness - including whether your value proposition actually resonates with your buyers.

Takes 2 minutes. You'll know exactly where your foundations are solid and where they're costing you deals.
👉 Link here https://zarir-44gjyias.scoreapp.com/ with INSTANT RESULTS.

I'm Zed — a multi-format business growth partner with a passionate purpose.

02/04/2026

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐝. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭?

Last week I talked about finding your target market (the orchard).

But that's NOT it. Most businesses struggle because they're treating every tree and every fruit the same.

Here's what I mean:

Within your orchard:

🍎 Some trees have low-hanging fruit (buyers ready now, clear pain, budget allocated)

🪜 Some need a ladder (decision-makers who need convincing, multiple stakeholders)

🌱 Some aren't ripe yet (influencers planting seeds for future)

Most businesses spray their effort equally across all trees.

The ones growing fast? They know EXACTLY which persona to pick first.

Here's the test:

Can you quote the EXACT words your ideal customer says in the moment they realize they need help?

Not your marketing language. Their actual words. Their trigger. Their "oh sh*t" moment.

If you can't, you don't know your personas well enough.

And that means: ❌ Messaging that misses ❌ Sales conversations that freeze ❌ Wasted time on unripe fruit ❌ Competitors taking YOUR low-hanging fruit

The difference:

Target market = knowing you're in the right orchard ICPs = knowing which fruit to pick, from which tree, when, and what to say

👉 My Business Growth Foundations Scorecard has a specific section on ICP clarity - buyers, users, decision-makers, and influencers.

Takes 2 minutes. Shows exactly where you're leaving fruit on the tree.

Get it here: https://buff.ly/6jncuJr

𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:

Can you quote their actual words when they realize they need you?

Drop ACTUAL or GUESSING in the comments 👇

I'm Zed — a multi-format business growth partner. I advise, navigate, and inspire ambitious founders, portfolio professionals and business leaders to achieve their desired version of success.

24/03/2026

📣 BUSINESS OWNERS : "What is your target market?"

Could you answer in under 10 seconds? Or is it dread?

Not "who might buy from me." Not "anyone who needs X." But WHO. EXACTLY.

Here's what I see constantly with well-funded startups, £1-10M SME businesses, portfolio professionals, starting off or pivoting for growth:

Brilliant individuals & teams. Strong offerings. VERY Vague target markets and consequently poor identification of ideal client personas.

The result?

• Marketing spends scattered in hope • Sales conversations that fizzle and die • Low-hanging fruit completely missed – not even in the right orchard!

Quick reflection:

On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you that you've nailed your target market?

1 = "Honestly, no idea" 5 = "Crystal clear, could describe them in my sleep"

If you're anything but a 5, you're likely leaving serious growth on the table.

👉 My Business Growth Foundations Scorecard diagnoses exactly where your foundations are solid and where they're costing you. Takes 2 minutes. No catch and instant results.

Get it here: https://zarir-44gjyias.scoreapp.com/

Or comment your 'score' below - I'd be interested to see where most founders land.

I'm Zed — a multi-format business growth partner with a passionate purpose. I advise, navigate, and inspire ambitious founders, portfolio professionals and business leaders to achieve their desired version of success.

20/03/2026

BUSINESS PLAN vs BUSINESS HYPOTHESIS?

Too many business founders, leaders and portfolio professionals are hiding behind their OG business plan… and wondering why nothing’s moving today!

Plan = “Here’s what we hope will happen.”
Hypothesis = “Here’s what we think will work—and how we’ll prove it or kill it.”

If you can’t clearly explain:
1️⃣ How value reaches your customer
2️⃣ How money reaches you
3️⃣ How your business creates impact beyond profit

…you don’t have a growth hypothesis you just have an idea. Not bad, but....

Founders with a real business hypothesis:
Move faster
Waste less
Test more
Pivot on data, not panic

Everyone else is just burning time and cash.

This is Business Growth Foundation #2 in my Business Growth Foundations Scorecard.

Want to know if your foundations are solid—or shaky?

👇 Take the free 2 min., 7 question scorecard, with no catch. Instant results. See link in first comment below.

I’m Zed. I partner with ambitious founders, portfolio pros, and business leaders to build businesses that actually grow.

17/03/2026

When founders first come to me for business growth advice, most have a mission statement.

Then I ask about their passionate purpose. [cue crickets...]

Very few have a PASSIONATE PURPOSE. (And no, that's not just corporate fluff.)

Here's the simple difference:

✅ A mission = what you do
✅ A vision = what you want
✅ A purpose = why you MUST exist beyond profit

I've scored dozens of businesses on this. The pattern is clear: founders with crystal-clear purpose grow faster. Period.

Their teams are more aligned. Their decisions are clearer. Their growth is more sustainable.

So here's my question for you: Do you have a cobbled together mission statement... or really have a passionate purpose aligned to your business?

I've created a free Business Growth Foundations Scorecard that measures your Passionate Purpose alongside another 6 critical components.

👉 Take the Scorecard here: https://zarir-44gjyias.scoreapp.com/ 7 questions. 2 minutes.
You'll get your results instantly. No catch.

Find out whether you are growth ready —and what's holding your growth back?

Which resonated most with you—mission, vision, or purpose? Let me know in the comments below. 👇

02/03/2026

Most founders think they have a sales problem.

They don’t.

They have a growth foundations problem.

Busy team.
Decent product.
Plenty of activity.

But underneath?

No clear value proposition.
Weak product–market fit.
No ex*****on discipline.
No commercial structure.

So when growth slows, they push harder.

More marketing.
More sales.
More noise.

That rarely works.

If you’re serious about scaling, start with the foundations.

Take the 2-minute Business Growth Foundations Scorecard:
👉 https://zarir-44gjyias.scoreapp.com

— Zed

23/10/2025

🚀 Who’s helping you grow your portfolio career?

I’m excited to represent Portfolio Peer Forums at The Portfolio Career Festival 2025 — celebrating our 2nd anniversary and everything we’ve achieved as part of The Portfolio Collective community.

If you’ve ever wanted less isolation and more peer-to-peer support, honest feedback, and shared momentum toward your version of success — come say hi at the Portfolio Peer Forum booth! Let’s talk about how these sessions can help you grow faster, with confidence and connection.

📅 11th November 2025
📍 Battersea Arts Centre, London
🎟️ Use my code ZEDPCFEST for £50 off your ticket!

You don’t have to do portfolio life alone. Find your forum. Grow faster. Together. 💬

Book your spot here: https://portfolio-collective.com/events/portfolio-career-festival/

01/10/2025

🎄 Think it’s too early to think about Christmas? Think again! 🎄

No, I’m not diving into Christmas trees, fairy lights, or those classic margaritas—that's another tale.

I’m talking about an alternative form of Christmas preparation. Whether you're running a company, flying solo, or considering a new venture, don’t wait until 2026 or beyond. Act NOW, and by the time the real Christmas arrives, you can truly relax and enjoy it. 🎉

My Alternative Christmas Carol: Years ago, as a retail management trainee, I questioned my boss about prepping for Christmas in September. Her wise words still resonate:

"In retail, it’s already Christmas in October. If you’re not ready now, you risk losing 30% to 50% of your annual revenue this year."

Gulp.

Though I've left retail, that strategic wisdom echoes every September, long before the holiday decorations appear.

The Lesson? Be ready for your business 'Christmases,' especially during the 'put off till next year' season. This means taking timely actions NOW.

Here’s a checklist to help you get started:

✅ Define Your Purpose: What's your 'Why'? 🌟
✅ Re-evaluate Your Business Hypothesis: Does it hold up? 🔍
✅ Clarify Your Solutions: Are you solving a real problem? 💡
✅ Identify Your Market: Know your target audience. 🎯
✅ Value Proposition Design: Does your offer resonate? Can you pitch it?
✅ Test Product-Market Fit: Make sure it's systemized – not finger in the air 🧪
✅ Develop a Strategy: Craft a go-to-market and sales strategy.

Whether you're launching a startup, scaling a business, or directing a growth stage, let’s connect! While I won't teach you to gift-wrap, I can share insights from 35 years of helping clients prepare for their business 'Christmases.' Together, we can ensure your business not only survives but thrives.

Before you’re singing Auld Lang Syne and January’s gloom sets in, let’s ensure you're ready. Want me to guide you through any of these steps? 🎁 Ready to unwrap your business potential? Let's make it happen!

Together, we'll assess your current position and identify practical steps to build a robust growth plan—boosting your confidence and prosperity.

📞 📆 DM me or book a call and let’s cut through the noise. More at zarirvakil.com

I’m Zed — a business growth partner with a passionate purpose.
I advise, navigate, and inspire portfolio professionals and business leaders to achieve their desired version of success.

09/09/2025

🎄 Think it’s too early to talk about Christmas? Think again. 🎄
Back in my retail days, I was taught: “In September, it’s already Christmas — miss it and you lose half your revenue.” That advice stuck, and it’s just as true for business today.
Your ‘Christmas’ might be a launch, a growth push, or a critical sales season. The key is being prepared. 🎯

Start now by:
• Validating your business ideas
• Identifying your target market
• Setting the right price
• Developing a sales strategy
• Getting your Product-Market Fit & Go-To-Market nailed down.

Don’t wait until the year ends to think about growth. Let’s connect and get your business ready to thrive.

✨ Ready to unwrap your potential? Let’s make it happen. ✨
📞 📆 DM me or book a call and let’s cut through the noise. More at zarirvakil.com

I’m Zed — a business growth partner with a passionate purpose.
I advise, navigate, and inspire portfolio professionals and business leaders to achieve their desired version of success.

03/09/2025

🎙 Whistle to Work — Season 1, Episode 2
Purpose, Positioning & Authenticity: Crafting Offers That Truly Connect

In this episode, Mike & I explore how purpose shapes your business, why positioning matters, and how authenticity ensures your offers resonate.

If you want to refine how you show up and connect with clients, this one’s for you. 🚀

👉 Watch the reminder trailer now and catch the full episode anytime.

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/purpose-positioning-authenticity-crafting-offers-that/id1815194989?i=1000712065578
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3rCOdYbIoQiyIjqQaSrfki

SEASON 2 Coming Soon!

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

01/09/2025

📸 Amidst the deadlines, meetings, and constant hustle, moments like these remind me what truly matters.

No matter the workload, being present for family milestones isn’t negotiable—it’s essential. Success isn’t just measured in business growth, but in showing up for the people who inspire you to keep pushing forward.

Here’s to making time for the important things in life. 💙

ZED Portfolio

27/04/2026

02/04/2026

24/03/2026

20/03/2026

17/03/2026

02/03/2026

23/10/2025

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09/09/2025

03/09/2025

01/09/2025

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