Hello friends, After 3.5 years, I figure it's about time to update the name for this newsletter. Here's why. Bi-Weekly Bits becomes The Long GameThe first edition of Bi-Weekly Bits went out on January 17, 2021. Back then, I hadn't yet made the leap to solo coach. But I was thinking about it, and I started the newsletter as a forcing function - something that forced me to really think about what I know and believe with regards to running a company, and put them to paper for others to read. The name came about in a similar way. Putting "Bi-Weekly" in the title would force me to stick to a twice-a-month schedule, although I did miss a few over the years, especially during conference season. The second part, "Bits", alluded to the zeroes and ones that make up all digital information, including games. Also, it alliterated nicely with "Bi-Weekly". But here's the thing. As I've found my footing as a videogame business coach, the title started to feel more and more like something I had outgrown. First of all, as it turns out, I'm not organized enough to consistently put out a bi-weekly newsletter when the rest of my work gets busy. 😅 And while I still do everything in my power to stick to that schedule whenever I can, having it in the title is starting to feel a bit disingenuous to my readers. Second, I have now committed so wholly to the games industry as the community I want to serve, that the "Bits" part feels a bit too generic. In fact, the whole title says virtually nothing about the contents I share in each edition. So I'm changing it. From here on out, I'll be publishing my newsletter under the title The Long Game. Why The Long Game?First and foremost, it's because the concept of "playing the long game" is exactly what I stand for, what I help my clients with, and what I want to help others do through my newsletter. Playing the long game, with regards to company management, is all about building something lasting, about investing in solid foundations that will pay dividends for years and decades to come. And that is exactly the type of content that I share: tips, tools, and frameworks that will help you to build the foundations for a truly great videogame company that will stand the test of time. Second, it will be easier to recognize that this newsletter is related to videogames. Maybe I'll try to work a reference to that into the logo at some point to make it even more obvious. Who knows. So this is the last edition of Bi-Weekly Bits that you will receive. Next week, you will receive the first edition of The Long Game, with the same content that you have grown accustomed to. Thank you for being a part of this journey. I hope you will stick around for the next part so we can learn to excel at the long game together. 🙏 --- What do you think of the new name? Let me know by replying to this email, or by leaving a comment on Linkedin. --- See you next week! Martijn Whenever you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you: Get smart 🤓 Get started 💪 Get serious 🔥 |
Best practices, models and frameworks that will help you run and grow a business in the videogames industry. https://www.martijnvanzwieten.com
Issue #79 Hello friends, Greetings from Utrecht! Lot's going on these days, I feel like I've been running non-stop since Gamescom. Just in September, I have: onboarded one Long Game OS client onboarded one investment preparation client created two videos for Xsolla's new accelerator video vault attended DICE Europe made preparations for a workshop at Trondheim's new SpawnPoint incubator, and a talk at Unwrap All good things though! And since one of the Xsolla videos touched on company culture...
Issue #78 Hello friends, Greetings from Utrecht! I'm in the middle of my busiest month of the year - somehow all of my big deliverables seem to have concentrated in September - but I'm not too busy to share some hot tips on feedback! This topic comes up a lot in my coaching - either because clients ask about it, or because it becomes clear that feedback is not being shared and received effectively in the studio. So I've put some thoughts on paper that have stuck with me over the years, in the...
Issue #77 Hello friends, Greetings from Utrecht! Not everyone I talk to is ready to jump head-first into a coaching trajectory. Some companies first want to know where they stand, what works and what doesn't. They want assurances that their current structures, processes and habits will be built upon, not changed for the sake of change. They prefer advice that is specific to their exact situation and make-up. And they want this up-front, rather than work through it together as part of the...