Suggestions
Michael Contento
Deliver Simplicity, Drive Growth
Michael Contento is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of My Blue Umbrella, a managed service provider (MSP) he founded in 1996. Under his leadership, the company has achieved significant growth, boasting a 15% compound annual growth rate and generating approximately $10 million in revenue. My Blue Umbrella focuses on helping businesses enhance productivity and profitability through digital transformation and automation.234
In addition to his role at My Blue Umbrella, Contento is a Managing Partner at F12.net, where he has been involved in corporate development and business innovation since 1996. He also serves as the President of Community Choice Pharmacy and Do Amazing Things, showcasing his diverse entrepreneurial ventures across various sectors including IT solutions and pharmacy retail.12
Contento holds a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation and has been recognized as a Modern Workplace Champion by Microsoft Canada. His expertise in the IT managed services sector is complemented by his experience in mergers and acquisitions, making him a sought-after advisor among other entrepreneurs.123
Highlights
The Toronto Public Library is back up and running five months after a cyberattack derailed its systems. While the library was still open during this time, the digital catalogue wasn’t accessible, meaning you couldn’t search for a book, reserve it online or pick it up at your local branch, which is one of the great things about the city’s library system.
Now that TPL is fully operational, I wanted to share three book recommendations that stand out when it comes to business growth and exit strategies—perfect if you’re enjoying some time off this March Break and looking for something to read on the beach.
Walking to Destiny by Christopher Snider, CEPA I’ve been mentioning this book a lot as I talk about mergers and acquisitions in my role at F12.net, because it truly is a beacon for business owners aiming to increase their company’s value. Snider’s Value Acceleration Methodology is groundbreaking, providing a clear, actionable path for transforming your business into a valuable asset that’s ready for transition, making it indispensable for those looking to sell or scale.
Finish Big by Bo Burlingham: Burlingham does a deep dive into the personal and professional journey of exiting a business. It’s packed with narratives that not only inspire but also teach critical lessons on how to exit your business on a high note. It’s a must-read for entrepreneurs seeking to understand the emotional and strategic facets of selling their life’s work.
And now, for a little shameless self-promotion, but come on, if I can’t brag about my debut book being an instant #1 Amazon bestseller, who can? So here goes: The Bottom Line. In this book, I share my firsthand experience and lessons learned from starting multiple businesses from the ground up. At the heart of my set of principles is the concept of D2: Deliver Simplicity, Drive Growth. I wrote this book a few years ago, when I was CEO of My Blue Umbrella, in the hopes of inspiring others who are looking to start or grow their own businesses.
I often say this, but it’s so true so I’ll say it again. Individually you may be strong, but collectively anyone can become extraordinary. What I really admire in Snider and Burlingham is their willingness to share their knowledge, to help others. That’s something I feel every day in my role at F12. I’m surrounded by incredibly intelligent people, many of whom were also CEOs of their own companies, then sold to F12 to join this bigger, more dynamic company. Every day feels like an opportunity to share grow and learn from the best of the best.
If you’re thinking about what’s next, let’s talk. And if you’re away on vacation, let me know what you’re reading this week.
#BusinessGrowth #ExitStrategy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessBooks #bookrecco
