The Language of
Transformation
Comprehensive definitions of Value-First terms, frameworks, and concepts. From foundational philosophy to practical implementation—understand the vocabulary that drives modern business transformation.
A
Accessibility
Framework ElementsRemoving barriers to natural connection.
Accountability Diffusion
OrganizationalNo true ownership when too many approvals required.
Activation
LanguageBeginning of value creation together, not transaction completion.
Adaptability
OrganizationalCapacity to evolve with changing contexts and opportunities.
Adopter Stage
Value PathGenuine value realization and tangible transformation experience.
Advertising Trap
TrapsApplying attention scarcity thinking to information abundance era.
Advocate Stage
Value PathNatural referral generation through authentic satisfaction.
AI Replacement Trap
TrapsViewing AI as human replacement rather than capability amplifier.
AI-Native
ApproachMethodology built from the ground up for human-AI collaboration, not retrofitted onto old models.
Alignment
Framework ElementsShared purpose uniting rather than metrics dividing.
Attention Scarcity
Value-First ConceptsObsolete assumption that attention is limited and must be captured.
Attribution Modeling
TechnologyComplex systems crediting touchpoints, missing natural patterns.
Audience Stage
Value PathEarliest stage of casual exploration with healthy skepticism.
Authentic Belonging
OrganizationalGenuine acceptance of whole selves, not performative inclusion.
Authentic Value Flow
PhilosophyOrganic value movement when artificial barriers are removed.
Authority Trap
TrapsHierarchical structures concentrating power rather than distributing authority.
C
Capability Building
Value-First ConceptsDeveloping sustainable internal skills and confidence.
Centralized Control
OrganizationalConcentrating decision rights at top, creating bottlenecks.
Champion Stage
Value PathIndustry leadership through methodology co-creation and expertise demonstration.
Change Management
BusinessPreparing and guiding individuals through change.
Chatbots
TechnologyAI tools simulating conversation to assist customers.
Clarity
Framework ElementsCommunication enabling genuine understanding.
Co-Evolution
FrameworkMutual growth of humans and AI through continuous learning partnership.
Cognitive Boundaries
Value-First ConceptsLimits of human attention to be respected, not exploited.
Collaborative Intelligence
ApproachHuman wisdom combined with AI capability, creating outcomes neither achieves alone.
Collective Wisdom
OrganizationalIntelligence throughout organization, not just leadership.
Communities of Practice
OrganizationalNatural groups around shared learning and purpose.
Complementary Diversity
OrganizationalDifferent perspectives strengthening collective capability.
Conformity Trap
TrapsCultures valuing uniformity over authentic expression and diversity.
Contact Object
TechnologyDatabase record for relationships, separated from leads.
CONVEY Framework
FrameworkStructured communication approach for change management.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
TechnologyTechnology managing interactions, often with industrial-age models.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
OrganizationalNatural cooperation across boundaries for shared purpose.
Cultural Fit
OrganizationalHiring for conformity rather than complementary diversity.
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
BusinessTotal cost to acquire a new customer.
Customer Data Platform (CDP)
TechnologyTool creating unified customer profiles from multiple sources.
Customer Journey
BusinessComplete experience from discovery to advocacy.
Customer Retention
BusinessAbility to keep customers returning.
Customer Team
FrameworkUnified cross-functional group delivering seamless customer experiences without departmental silos.
D
Data Analytics
TechnologyExamining data to draw conclusions and inform decisions.
Delight
Framework ElementsExceeding expectations through genuine care for human experience.
DELIVER Framework
FrameworkCustomer-centric methodology embedding delight and continuous improvement.
Demand Waterfall
Legacy FrameworkThe legacy B2B framework from 2006 that created artificial lead stages fighting against natural buying behavior.
Digital Transformation
BusinessIntegrating digital tech to fundamentally change operations and value.
Distributed Authority
OrganizationalDecision-making where information and knowledge exist.
E
Emergence
PhilosophyNatural appearance of valuable patterns and opportunities not predetermined.
Empathy-Driven Leadership
BusinessLeadership prioritizing understanding of employee and customer needs.
Empowerment
PhilosophyEnabling people to create value naturally without waiting for permission.
ERP Trap
TrapsEnterprise systems prioritizing control over enablement and natural workflows.
Expectations
Framework ElementsClear, honest communication without artificial urgency.
F
Forced Interruption
Value-First ConceptsPushing messages when people aren't looking.
Fragmentation
PhilosophyOrganizational dysfunction from artificial divisions and disconnected systems.
Freemium Model
BusinessOffering basic services free, charging for premium.
H
Hand Raiser Stage
Value PathSeeking expert guidance and validation, ready to engage.
Hand Raisers
LanguageIndividuals authentically signaling readiness for expert guidance.
Handoff Friction
OrganizationalLoss of context and trust during departmental transfers.
HubSpot CVP
PlatformCustomer Value Platform - unified business system replacing 15+ tools with AI-orchestrated HubSpot.
I
Inbound Marketing
BusinessAttracting customers with valuable, tailored content.
Industrial-Age Thinking
PhilosophyLegacy mental models emphasizing control and standardization, creating digital-age friction.
Information Abundance
Value-First ConceptsDigital-age reality of plentiful, accessible knowledge.
Innovation Suppression
OrganizationalFiltering divergent thinking to maintain conformity.
Insights
Framework ElementsDeep understanding from genuine attention to signals.
Integration
TechnologyConnecting systems for data and process flow.
K
L
Lead Conversion
TechnologyCRM process fragmenting relationship data through object transformation.
Lead Magnet Trap
TrapsGating valuable content behind forms, preventing natural knowledge flow.
Lead Object
TechnologyDatabase record treating people as processable objects.
Lead Scoring
TechnologyMechanical point systems replacing human judgment.
Leads Trap
TrapsTreating humans as database objects rather than relationships.
Learned Helplessness
PhilosophyCondition where people stop taking initiative due to systemic barriers.
Lifetime Value (LTV)
BusinessTotal revenue generated over entire customer relationship.
M
Managed Services Trap
TrapsBusiness models profiting from dependency rather than building capability.
Market Segmentation
BusinessDividing market into groups with shared characteristics.
Marketing Automation
TechnologySoftware automating marketing tasks and lead processing.
Marketing Mix Modeling
TechnologyAnalytical approaches giving appearance of precision to organic processes.
Measurement Trap
TrapsUnevenly applied metrics preventing natural value creation.
N
Natural Discovery
Value-First ConceptsPeople finding information organically when they need it.
Natural Progression
PhilosophyMovement at human timing, not forced advancement.
Natural Value Flow
PhilosophyOrganic movement of value through systems, unhindered by artificial barriers or forced processes.
Net Promoter Score (NPS)
BusinessMetric measuring satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.
Network Effects
Value-First ConceptsExponential value from natural spreading through connections.
P
PARTNER Framework
FrameworkFramework aligning organizations with customers through seven key elements.
Partnership
LanguageOngoing collaboration for sustained value creation.
Performative Diversity
OrganizationalSurface inclusion without addressing conformity pressure.
Personalization
BusinessCustomizing experiences to match individual preferences.
Positioning
Framework ElementsDefining and communicating unique value resonating with needs.
Predictive Analytics
TechnologyUsing data to predict future trends or behaviors.
Productive Tension
OrganizationalCreative conflict from diverse perspectives driving breakthroughs.
Progression
LanguageNatural advancement honoring human timing, not forced conversion.
Progression Quality
LanguageDepth and authenticity of advancement.
Prospectors
LanguagePeople prospecting for value; organizations are the prospects.
Psychological Safety
OrganizationalEnvironment for authentic expression without fear of punishment.
R
Readiness Recognition
LanguageIdentifying natural progression signals without gatekeeping.
Reduction Thinking
PhilosophyReducing complex human systems to mechanical processes and transactions.
Reinforcement
Framework ElementsConsistent demonstration of values through actions.
Relationship Development
LanguageBuilding authentic connections over time.
Relationship Health
LanguageQuality and depth of authentic connection.
Researcher Stage
Value PathActive investigation phase of purposeful understanding and evaluation.
Revenue Stream
BusinessVarious sources of business earnings.
Rigidity
OrganizationalInability to change from uniformity, control, or dependencies.
S
Scalable Business Model
BusinessStructure growing revenue without proportional cost increase.
Signal Strength
LanguageIntensity and authenticity of interest indicators.
Signals
FrameworkNatural indicators of interest or need from human interactions, replacing the term 'leads'.
Silos
OrganizationalIndependent departments creating barriers to value flow.
Strategic Narrowing
OrganizationalBlind spots from conformity limiting perspective diversity.
System of Record
TechnologyAuthoritative data source justifying rigid implementations.
T
Technical Debt
TechnologyAccumulated complexity from tactical fixes to systemic problems.
The 8 Traps
FrameworkEight patterns where industrial-age thinking creates mounting friction in the digital era.
Touchpoint
BusinessAny interaction across channels and stages.
Transparency
Framework ElementsOpen sharing building trust and enabling informed decisions.
Trap-Manifesto Approach
FrameworkMethodology pairing industrial-age friction recognition with liberating alternatives.
Trust Multiplication
Value-First ConceptsTrust compounding through authentic relationships and sharing.
Trust-Based Progression
LanguageRespecting human timing and natural relationship development.
V
Value Capture
PhilosophyExtractive approach maximizing value taken from each transaction.
Value Constellations
FrameworkDynamic patterns of human-AI collaboration forming naturally around shared purpose.
Value Creation
PhilosophyGenerating new value together through collaboration.
Value Creator Stage
Value PathActive implementation proving decision wisdom and creating value.
Value Demonstration
Value-First ConceptsShowing value through delivery, not just claiming it.
Value Enablement
PhilosophyCreating conditions for natural value flow rather than controlling it.
Value Multiplication
PhilosophyValue growing and compounding through natural sharing, connection, and collaboration.
Value Path
FrameworkAn 8-stage framework replacing the Demand Waterfall, recognizing natural human buying progression from discovery to championship.
Value Path Stages
FrameworkEight stages of natural human progression from discovery to championship.
Value-First
PhilosophyA methodology prioritizing genuine value creation for people, enabling natural progression over forced conversion.
Value-First Framework
FrameworkComprehensive approach enabling natural value flow rather than controlling it.
Value-First Scoring
ServiceAI-powered scoring recognizing genuine buying signals, not just activity tracking.
W
Wholeness
PhilosophyRecognizing people as complete humans, not partial resources.
Workflow Automation
TechnologyTechnology streamlining repetitive tasks and processes.
Ready to Transform?
Understanding the language is just the beginning. Explore how these concepts come together in our transformation framework.