The TCG Framework

With my book, Gründen ohne Umwege, hitting shelves this March, I wanted to do more than just share 96 entrepreneurial concepts. I wanted to distill them.

That’s why I developed the TCG Framework. It’s a high-level synthesis designed to turn diverse insights into a single, cohesive model. Think of it as a strategic compass for building a company of substance by aligning three non-negotiable pillars: Team, Clarity, and Grit.

1. Team: The "Who" Before the "What"

As Jim Collins famously noted, greatness starts with getting the right people on the bus before deciding where to drive it.

• Complementary skills: A high-performing team is a combination of skillsets that complement one another.

• Core alignment: While skills should differ, core values must be aligned to maintain trust during high-pressure moments.

2. Clarity: The Architecture of Action

Clarity provides the map and the compass for the team's energy.

• Vision and mission: You must define exactly what "winning" looks like and how you intend to get there.

• Communication: It is not enough to have a plan; communication must be so clear that every team member can make autonomous decisions aligned with the goal.

3. Grit: The Engine of Resilience

Startups are marathons run through obstacle courses. Grit is the psychological fuel that prevents the company from folding during tough times.

• Passion and perseverance: This is a combination of an obsession with the problem and the stamina to endure pivots and rejections.

• Deliberate practice: Grit is not just about working hard; it involves learning from failures, iterating with discipline, and continuously improving.

The Venn Logic: Identifying the Gaps

To understand the power of this framework, we must examine what happens when one pillar is missing:

• Team + Clarity: The team is strong and clarity is high, but the organization lacks the stomach for hardship. A company without grit is predestined for failure when challenges arise.

• Clarity + Grit: Direction and drive are not enough if the wrong people are on the bus. While grit can power a team through friction, it cannot overcome the drag of incompetence or toxic culture. Without the right talent, the company is destined to break under the pressure of its own execution gaps.

• Grit + Team: This describes a strong team with passion and perseverance but a lack of clarity. They are running at full speed, but in the wrong direction - or in circles.

The Center: The Nexus of Greatness

The center of the TCG Framework is where the magic happens. In this state of alignment:

• Team provides the capacity.

• Clarity provides the direction.

• Grit provides the velocity.

The convergence of these three elements defines a mature, high-performance organization capable of outlasting the competition and navigating any detour.