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Revitalizing Downtowns & Urban Areas: The Live-Work-Play Revolution with Manning + Co

Embracing a Walkable Lifestyle and the Future of Urban Development

Introduction:

As the commercial real estate landscape continues to change, with an estimated 1 billion square feet projected to be vacant by 2029, it's time to rethink the way we approach urban development. Manning + Co is at the forefront of this revolution, partnering with commercial, residential, and experience developers to create Live-Work-Play (LWP) developments that breathe new life into downtowns and urban areas.

At the heart of our LWP developments is an emphasis on "play," with the goal of creating a strong attraction to a walkable lifestyle. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of play and walkability in urban revitalization and discuss Manning + Co's dedication to transforming the way we live, work, and play.

The Importance of Play in Urban Revitalization:

As the nature of work evolves, so too must our urban environments. The traditional separation of work, home, and leisure spaces is becoming increasingly obsolete. Instead, vibrant, multi-use spaces are the future of urban development. By incorporating elements of play and leisure alongside work and residential spaces, LWP developments offer a more holistic, community-driven approach to revitalization.

Play is essential for fostering social connections, promoting physical and mental well-being, and creating a sense of belonging in the community. By emphasizing play in our LWP developments, Manning + Co aims to create lively, attractive, and walkable neighborhoods that encourage residents and visitors to explore, engage, and enjoy their surroundings.

The Walkable Lifestyle:

Walkability is a crucial component of Manning + Co's LWP vision. A walkable lifestyle offers numerous benefits, such as reduced dependence on cars, decreased carbon emissions, increased physical activity, and stronger social connections. By integrating a variety of commercial, residential, and recreational spaces within a compact, pedestrian-friendly layout, our LWP developments promote active, healthy, and sustainable living.

Manning + Co's Live-Work-Play Commitment:

At Manning + Co, we are dedicated to creating innovative and sustainable LWP developments that not only revitalize downtowns and urban areas but also foster a sense of community and well-being. We believe that by integrating play, work, and residential spaces, we can create neighborhoods that are not only economically thriving but also socially and environmentally responsible.

We are excited to collaborate with commercial, residential, and experience developers who share our vision for the future of urban development. By working together, we can transform vacant commercial spaces into thriving, walkable communities that enrich the lives of residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

Conclusion:

As we face the challenges posed by an evolving commercial real estate market, Manning + Co is committed to leading the charge towards a more sustainable and connected future. By partnering with like-minded developers, we are embracing the Live-Work-Play revolution and creating vibrant, walkable communities that will redefine the way we think about urban living.

Join us on this exciting journey as we work to revitalize downtowns and urban areas, one LWP development at a time. Together, we can make a lasting impact and create spaces where people truly enjoy living, working, and playing.

Manning + Co Sets Sights on FinTech Innovations

Exciting times are ahead for the FinTech industry, as Manning + Co, a hybrid family office and growth advisory firm, sets its sights on identifying and supporting the most promising companies in the space. Jonah Manning, the founder of Manning + Co, shares his vision for the company's future and how they are looking to partner with trailblazing FinTech startups that are revolutionizing global payment processing and other related fields.

Jonah Manning, the visionary founder of Manning + Co, envisions a bright future for innovative FinTech startups that are changing the landscape of global payment processing and related fields. The company is actively seeking portfolio companies in the FinTech space that are developing products and services in global payment processing, borderless payment processing, digital treasury services, procure to pay, lending, and blockchain-enabled FinTech services.

With a strong track record of helping businesses grow and prosper, Manning + Co is committed to providing strategic guidance and financial support to the most innovative and forward-thinking companies in the rapidly evolving FinTech sector. By fostering partnerships with these companies, Manning + Co aims to drive significant value and growth for all parties involved.

Jonah Manning believes that the FinTech industry is ripe for disruption, and that the next wave of innovation will be led by startups that are not only solving complex financial problems but also creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers alike. As a hybrid family office and growth advisory firm, Manning + Co is uniquely positioned to identify and support these game-changing companies through a combination of industry expertise, capital investment, and strategic guidance.

In his own words, Jonah Manning explains the company's vision: "At Manning + Co, we are passionate about empowering the next generation of FinTech innovators. We recognize the immense potential in areas such as global payment processing, borderless transactions, digital treasury services, and blockchain-enabled solutions. Our mission is to collaborate with and support the most promising companies in these fields, helping them to achieve sustainable growth and success."

One of the key areas of focus for Manning + Co is borderless payment processing. In a recent interview with The Paypers, Maria Parpou discusses the promise of borderless commerce and how innovative solutions in this space can enable businesses to expand their reach and access new markets with ease. Manning + Co aims to support startups that are developing such groundbreaking technologies, in line with their broader investment strategy. Source: The Paypers

To achieve their goals, Manning + Co will leverage their extensive network of industry professionals, financial experts, and technology leaders to identify the best investment opportunities in the FinTech space. This collaborative approach will ensure that portfolio companies not only receive the necessary financial backing but also benefit from the firm's wealth of knowledge and experience in driving business growth.

Conclusion:

The FinTech industry is on the verge of major transformations, and Manning + Co is eager to play a crucial role in shaping its future. By partnering with the most promising startups and providing them with the resources and guidance they need to flourish, Jonah Manning and his team at Manning + Co are determined to help drive the next wave of innovation in global payment processing and other FinTech services. Keep an eye on this space for more updates on their exciting journey in the world of finance and technology.

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ZERO BASED ORG

ZERO BASED ORG

We have entered uncharted territory. 

Yes, the current organizational flow of remote work and companies looking for flex space is nothing new. We saw versions of it in the 90s after all. What is new is the dynamics of the workforce for both buyers and sellers. As organizations embrace the transition to remote and hybrid dynamics as a long-term effort, the companies’ operational rhythm changes. This change is unavoidable and to pretend it’s not the case will result in the eventual peril for any organization, regardless of what protection they might think they have. What companies are trying to figure out, and what zero-based org delivers on, is how to put together the right organization alchemy, which includes headcount, function, OKRs that govern those functions, and making all those things work in concert with the goals and growth for the organization. 

For us, this still comes down to one fundamental truth that is the north star for all of our endeavors: the answer is a ‘who’ not a ‘how.’ This means that with the right talent driving the right plan (governed by clear and consistent OKRs), your results will be a faster and more sustainable form of success. With the amount of compounded productivity over the next several quarters or even years, as mainstream competitors try to catch up, it would be a mathematical improbability to do so without an enormous investment. 

In short, Zero Based Org development isn’t a secret weapon as such, but rather, the combination of tried and true practices, clarity in leadership and direction, modern toolsets to govern at scale, and of course, world-class talent to drive it all home.

This is why Zero Based Org is such a paramount concept, and why it is quickly becoming the modus operandi for the modern, hybrid workforce. Organizations need to create the organization that will set them up for success for the foreseeable future. With Zero Based Org, companies are putting all the pieces in place to ensure that their organization is strategically optimized and future-proof.

At the end of the day, Zero Based Org is about enabling smoother execution and better results by creating the right structure, leveraging the right technology and empowering the right people. It is no wonder then why these tenacious, forward-looking organizations are complementing basic business models and practices with the Zero Based Org approach.

Don't hire an executive search firm, but if you have to...

First, the findings:

  • 65% of leadership roles fail.

  • Industrial and organizational psychologists have uncovered that to effectively market to management, your messaging must ultimately be that with you, ‘they will not fail’ or with you, “they will be left the hell alone” (yes, this is a quote) rather than marketing to them for any success or performance outcome.

Unsettling? I hope so. Surprising? If you are reading this blog post, likely not. So what does this all mean? It means for the success not only of your company and function but also for the success of EVERYONE (employee, customer, vendor, partners, etc.) that reports or connects to that leader ..it is vitally important to hire the right person.

How do we do that? It isn’t easy. After almost twenty years of sourcing at the highest levels (both executive as well as high-impact individual contributor roles), here is what I have learned:

1- Leaders should not hire an executive search firm. I realize that I offer executive search services, so yes, this statement is a bit awkward. That said, in truth, leaders should do this themselves. Why? Because no matter how hard we try, we can never be them, and no matter how much we care, we will never have that level of intimacy with a search strictly because we will likely not work with this person quite as much as the leader hiring them will.

2- Proven past does not mean a proven future. I have seen executives who have absolutely killed it at a previous startup crash and burn before they even make their first meeting. It happens.

3- The best executives play up. If you want a great VP, hire a Senior Director or a Head of ___; if you want a great CTO, look at VPs or Heads of Eng with large product or division ownership. These leaders will be hungry, play up, and often outperform their incumbent piers.

4.- If you have to hire an executive search firm, don’t outsource your leadership simultaneously. Conducting an executive search, I act as the hiring manager, but I am just a proxy of the real hiring manager. It’s important that the executive search act as an extension of your office and not a replacement of. The search should feel more like a conversation versus a transaction.

Selling against the current

Selling Against The Current

Everyone is exhausted, and most are burnt out. Simple fatigue and anxiety are very 2021. That said, many leaders (including yours truly) find themselves in a fight or flight situation in their businesses. Sales itself is a cringy topic anytime. I mean, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t LOVE helping people or working with great companies who they are familiar with. I also do not know anyone who likes being rejected, talked down to, ghosted, or the myriad of other not-so-nice things that come with selling. Couple that with a serious lack of decorum people have picked up since Covid lockdowns and a very real recessionary cycle and you have almost the perfect storm to make most Founders and business leaders pack it up and go home.

Then there are those few that know they must carry on. They must find a way. Most of the time it’s not even for themselves they carry on for, it’s for their families, their teams, and the people who are counting on them.

So how can you sell and win when it feels like no one is buying?

I find myself asking that same question and here is what I am doing to solve it.

1) Double everything. I mean everything. Double your outbound, double your prices, double your goals, double everything. Aim for the star, land on the moon.

2) Partner with everyone. Everyone is going through the same thing. We are not alone. That said, the more resources (leads, deals, capital, etc) we can keep within a community the better everyone does. Try to partner with as many as you can.

3) Have uncomfortable conversations. Call the lead you don’t want to. Negotiate better terms. Our board in our office is split into 3 categories: Production, Offense, and Defense. Production is delivery and should always be looking for ways to expand or connect deals. The offense is working with partners and leads at the top of the funnel. Defense is looking at making sure all expenses are directly supporting the business.

Finally, one other thing you can do is help people without looking for anything in return. It sounds counterintuitive but it isn’t. Do that, and you and your business will likely turn ok. It may look different than what you imagined it would, but in my experience, real is better.

The Shift

The Shift


A storm is coming, and it’s time to shift. 


We have been here before.  Granted, the circumstances are different and unprecedented, but isn’t that always the case?  It’s always unprecedented.  At the beginning of 2022, the outlook was highly optimistic.  How did they get it so wrong?  Did they not know, and we can finally file the ‘experts’ into the same category as any suspect Reddit feed?  Or did they know and lied, which could be similar to a suspect Reddit feed.  In either case, it is clear, your decisions, your plans…plans for your business, plans for your team, plans for your finances, goals for your health… all of these things need to be decided with a different guide, different heading, differing north star in mind.  Please…don’t make the heading political.  I can already tell you what is going to happen, the ‘left’ (also, before I get labeled, I would classify myself as a JFK-era democrat, which means I can make either side, not like me) …I digress… the left will blame capitalism while using it to take advantage of the situation.  The right will blame the government, conveniently ignoring that they are, in fact, the government.  Round and round we go, with no actual progress.  

While this cycle is frustrating and always destructive, after being old enough to have managed a few recessions while being a student of other recessions, there are several playbooks one can use. 


Also, to be clear, I do not sound the alarm of a recession.  Anyone doing business or even taking a quick drive to a grocery store knows inflation is an issue.  The ‘recession’ is manufactured to attempt to curb inflation.  This is a good thing.  Why?  Because you cut the rates again, the economy will heat up.  Insert economist “that’s not how that works” … lol, ok.

First, let’s set the table for what I think is coming. 

1- The obvious - we will see a comprehensive startup workforce reduction by 35%.  To be clear, I am not beating up on startups.  A founder of a startup has had the craziest four years imaginable.  First, they have to navigate the pandemic and then get substantial funding, only to have the bottom fall under them.  


Here is a snippet from Andreesen Horowitz, a leading angel investor explaining:

“Continuing our example, a $20M ARR business which last raised at $2B might

observe the leading public companies in its space trading at 10x revenue, rather than

100x. Adjusting for the startup's faster pace of growth relative to public comps, let's

say that 15x ARR is a reasonable valuation for its next round of funding. (Note: 15x

ARR represents a 50% premium to the leading companies in their sector and a 200%

premium to the software average of 5x, but the appropriate multiple will vary across

companies.) This means their goal should be to reach $133M of ARR, or $2 billion

divided by 15x, with 12 months of runway.”


Those impacted will either create new startups, which will revert to a more rigorous funding landscape…this, by the way, is a good thing.  Applying rigor to the funding landscape produces fewer but higher-quality startups.  In theory, while this all lasts, these founders/startups will build with solid pragmatic fundamentals, preventing startups from collapsing when corrections like these inevitably happen.  


What will highlight this even more, is the startups that are run like this now; they will dominate and ‘seem to come out of nowhere in the next year to two.  They will take advantage of the gap startups with massive funding rounds in defense mode.  


Outside elements to look out for:

Wheat.  Another obvious, but my wife and I spoke to some ranchers, and many are saying that increase in food production costs has NOT hit yet, but it's coming.  Combine that with Ukraine + India not exporting wheat; we are looking at 2-3x food prices climbing.  

APAC.  It’s a mess—Taiwan, Japan, etc.  Stability in APAC is essential. 

LATAM.  Columbia, Nicceragua, etc.  LATAM can potentially make real economic gains in the next decade if it can prevent destabilization. 

Oil.  Trading crypto or other currencies would be a real problem for the U.S. What can you do?


1- Get your house in order.  Clean your garage if you have it.  Declutter your life.  Take that trip.  Have a game night with your kids.  Go camping.  Make the road trip anyway (it’s likely only to get more expensive).  

2- Connect with your neighbors.  You are going to need each other.  Take an inventory of what your neighbors might be able to contribute.  Consider starting a community garden if that is possible where you live.  

3- Build a local supply system.  Buying directly from farmers and local suppliers is the way to go.  Prices will be reasonable, you are supporting your local infrastructure, which is now vital, and you are likely to get a far superior product.  

4- Build a coalition at work.  This can work if you are a contractor, a founder of a startup, or an employee.  Build a partnership of people who bring different but complementary skill sets, and start working as a loose team.  This will decrease the burn rate and increase flexibility to make the most out of opportunities.  Some cultures that are known for being wealthy stay that way because they are known for capturing money within their coalitions.  On average, $1 is spent 18X within the alliance.  That makes a huge difference. 


Finally, get quiet.  Focus on your family, friends (the shortlist), work coalition, and community/neighbors.  Stop worrying about politics, the stock market, or watching news headlines.  I think you will find that things are not so bad in doing so, and we have a lot to be thankful for.