Episode 274

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Published on:

26th Aug 2025

7 Lessons From 3 Board Meetings

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What happens behind billion-dollar boardrooms? Sharran just walked out of three, and he’s sharing the seven lessons every entrepreneur needs right now. Instead of drowning in theory or corporate jargon, Sharran distills insights from billion-dollar companies, major media platforms, and investment firms into practical strategies you can implement today.


From why systems matter more than superstars to the critical role of onboarding and the difference between amateurs and professionals when it comes to automation, this episode is packed with insights that challenge conventional wisdom. 


If you’ve ever wondered what the smartest operators in the world are focused on right now, this episode gives you a front-row seat. Tune in to learn how to rethink systems, plan ahead, and create breakthroughs in your business.


“Amateurs automate for efficiency. Professionals automate for accuracy.”

- Sharran Srivatsaa


Timestamps:

01:25 - Why boards are often broken and how Sharran reframed their value

05:17 - Lesson 1: Systems carry the real weight, not just talent

06:40 - Lesson 2: Always design with scale in mind

07:57 - Lesson 3: Iteration beats waiting for perfection

09:02 - Lesson 4: Use pre-mortems to plan for failure in advance

10:28 - Lesson 5: Language shapes culture–ditch acronyms and clarify terms

11:43 - Lesson 6: Automate for accuracy, not just for efficiency

15:10 - Lesson 7: Make “Day One” better through meaningful onboarding


Resources:

- The Next Billion by Sharran Srivatsaa - https://sharransrivatsaa.substack.com/

- Acquisition.com -  https://www.acquisition.com/

- Join the Future Proof Community - https://futureproofsecrets.com/

- The Real Brokerage - https://www.joinreal.com/

- Top Agent Power Pack - https://sharran.activehosted.com/f/121

- The 5am Club - https://sharran.com/5amclub/

- Join the 10K Wisdom Private Partner Podcast, now available to you for free - https://www.highlandprime.com/optin-10k-wisdom

- Join Sharran's VIP Community - https://sharran.com/vip/

- ARC Multifamily Real Estate Investing - https://arcmf.com/

- Sharran's Partnership Program - https://www.highlandprime.com/

- Grab Sharran’s 4-Week MBA for Free - https://sharran.com/4weekmba/


Connect with Sharran:

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/likesharran

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sharransrivatsaa/

- X - https://x.com/sharran

- LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sharran

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzpl_gT1bVB1iNZl9yQbWuA?sub_confirmation=1

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About the Podcast

Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa
Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is the no-fluff, tactical podcast for founders, operators, and underdogs who want to grow with clarity, intention, and results. Hosted by entrepreneur, investor, and operator Sharran Srivatsaa—President and Managing Partner at Acquisition.com—this show cuts through the noise to deliver real-world strategies from someone who's built and exited five companies across multiple industries.

Sharran has helped scale two billion-dollar businesses, served as President of Real (NASDAQ: REAX), and led the 10x growth and sale of Teles Properties to Douglas Elliman (NYSE: DOUG). He brings lessons from Wall Street to Main Street, sharing what actually works—because he’s lived through what doesn’t.

Every episode offers simple, actionable playbooks for those who want to build extraordinary companies without the chaos. Whether you're a scrappy operator, a first-time founder, or a seasoned executive, Business School with Sharran Srivatsaa is your blueprint for building with purpose and winning on your terms.

For more free resources, visit Sharran.com

About your host

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Sharran Srivatsaa

Sharran is a serial entrepreneur, sought after keynote speaker, and a respected thought-leadership resource for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, SUCCESS magazine, Huffington Post and Forbes.

While Sharran has had 5 exits in the last 19 years, and also a several humbling failed investments and business initiatives. He talks all about them on his top rated Spotify podcast, Business School.

Most recently, Sharran led Teles Properties’ unprecedented 10x growth over 5 years and a 4-year consecutive streak on the Inc. 500 fastest growing companies list resulting in its acquisition by national real estate powerhouse Douglas Elliman.

Prior to Teles, Sharran worked at both Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, where he collaborated with management teams of fast-growing businesses around the country on investment advisory and corporate strategy. Sharran also spent several years building recreational programs in the Caribbean, Middle East, and Hawaii for some of the finest international resorts such as the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, also has deep experience working with technology companies such as Lightera (acquired by CIENA) and Obopay, a fast-growth mobile payments company.

Sharran is a Principal at Srilo Ventures, a multi-factor private investment fund that focuses investing in and advising technology companies and operating businesses in the consumer space. Having successfully completed many acquisitions, joint-ventures, management buyouts, mergers, and capital raises, Sharran serves as a director and advisor on numerous company boards.

He is also a member of the Genius Network, the highest-level marketing mastermind in the world led by whizkid Joe Polish, and also a member of Young President’s Organization (YPO).

After competing on the professional tennis tour, Sharran received his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Luther College and his MBA with Honors from Vanderbilt University.