For many biotech startups, contract research organisations (CROs) are essential. They provide expertise, infrastructure, and speed that internal teams can’t always match.

But here’s the catch: working with CROs often means losing control.

I’ve seen it happen again and again:

• Deliverables aren’t what the team expected.
• Deadlines slip because “done” was never clearly defined.
• Scientists spend more time chasing CRO reports than analysing results.

The problem isn’t the CRO — it’s the lack of structure in the collaboration.

💡 One way to fix this: introduce a clear list of things to set before to begin.

Before work starts, agree with the CRO on:

✔️ What exactly will be delivered (format, level of detail, acceptance criteria)

✔️ How progress will be reported (frequency, format, contact person)

✔️ How changes will be handled (scope, cost, timelines)

This simple step prevents misunderstandings, keeps projects on track, and saves everyone frustration.

I have got a template to help with this. Get it here

Raising money is hard. Keeping investors confident after they’ve invested? Even harder.

Many biotech founders tell me investor updates feel like a distraction. They spend hours pulling slides together, answering repeated questions, or explaining delays.

The truth is, investors don’t expect perfection — but they do expect clarity.

What they want to see:

• Are you hitting your scientific milestones?
• Are you on track for regulatory submissions?
• How are you using their money?
• What risks are you facing — and how are you managing them?

The easiest way to deliver that clarity is to track everything in one place.

💡 One practical solution: a Project Portfolio Dashboard.

Instead of juggling endless updates, you maintain a simple dashboard that shows:

✔️ Current projects and milestones

✔️ Status at a glance (on track, at risk, delayed)

✔️ Upcoming regulatory and funding gates

✔️ Key risks and owners

I’ve prepared a template you can adapt for your biotech company. It makes investor updates faster, sharper, and far more reassuring.

👉 Link my Templates Hub

The best part? Once your team starts using the dashboard internally, investor reports almost write themselves.

Because nothing builds trust like showing you’re in control.

Why biotech projects really fail (hint: it’s not the science

Most biotech founders I meet have brilliant science. The problem isn’t the science — it’s what happens around it.

Projects stall or collapse for reasons that have nothing to do with the lab bench:

• Data scattered across spreadsheets and emails
• Teams pulling in different directions
• No clear map for regulatory or funding milestones
• Endless investor updates that eat time but don’t build confidence

In short, the science is strong, but the project management backbone is weak.

The good news? These problems are easier to fix than you might think.

💡 One simple step: introduce a structured project review.

A regular 20–30 minute review with a clear agenda keeps everyone focused on the same milestones and risks. It also makes investor conversations smoother, because you always know exactly where you stand.

I’ve created a Project Review Agenda template that you can duplicate and use with your team right away. It covers:

✔️ Key milestones and risks

✔️ Progress since last review

✔️ Decisions needed now

✔️ Next steps with clear owners

Get your template here

It’s a small shift that can prevent months of delay later.

Because in biotech, the real risk isn’t failed experiments — it’s wasted time.

This article was originally published at: https://medium.com/@nadegeminois/sustainable-growth-starts-with-simple-projects-7c79a2649c11

Many small business owners dream of growth — more clients, more reach, more impact.

But too often, we chase growth by doing more — more tasks, more offers, more hustle.

The result? Overwhelm. Burnout. Stalled progress.

Real, sustainable growth doesn’t start with scaling up. It starts with clarity — and small, focused projects done well.

Here’s how.

1. Treat growth like a project

Want to launch a course? Grow your audience? Streamline operations?

Each of those is a project. It needs a goal, a plan, and a clear finish line.

2. Do less, better

Pick one growth project at a time. Break it into steps. Track your progress.

You’ll get more done — and do it better — than if you try to juggle ten things at once.

3. Build smart systems as you go

Each project is a chance to refine how you work:

• Create templates
• Save checklists
• Note what slows you down

That’s how you grow efficiently.

4. Keep reflecting

After each project, ask: What worked? What didn’t? What will I repeat?

That’s how you build a business that improves over time — not just gets busier.

5. Focus on how you grow, not just that you grow

Growth should feel exciting, not exhausting.

Sustainable growth is built on simple, repeatable projects — done with care, clarity, and intention.

You don’t need to rush.

You need to keep moving — one well-run project at a time.

This article was originally published at: https://medium.com/@nadegeminois/how-to-recover-from-a-project-that-didnt-go-to-plan-16da1e8d0fb7

Sometimes things just don’t work out.

The project misses its deadline. The launch flops. The process is messy and frustrating.

It happens.

But what you do after matters more than what went wrong.

Here’s how to recover — calmly and constructively.

1. Don’t ignore it

Avoiding the post-mortem doesn’t protect you. It just means you’ll repeat the same mistakes.

Pause. Breathe. Then review what happened.

2. Separate the facts from the feelings

What actually went wrong? List the events, not just your emotions.

Then, acknowledge how you felt — overwhelmed, disappointed, frustrated. That’s valid.

But don’t let the emotion rewrite the story.

3. Ask: What can I learn?

Every “failure” contains useful lessons — if you’re willing to look.

Ask:

• What would I do differently next time?
• What signs did I miss?
• What support did I need but didn’t have?

4. Write down one small change

Maybe it’s “start planning earlier.” Maybe it’s “clarify the goal next time.” Maybe it’s “don’t do it all alone.”

Capture it. That’s how you grow.

5. Let it go

Not everything needs to be salvaged. Sometimes the best thing you can do is stop, learn, and move on.

Recovering from a messy project isn’t about pretending it was a success.

It’s about pulling the gold from the rubble — and moving forward stronger.

This article was originally published at: https://medium.com/@nadegeminois/why-reflection-is-a-superpower-in-small-business-9acb9bf07147

Reflection isn’t just something you do at the end of a big project. It’s a powerful tool for decision-making, learning, and growth — and it doesn’t take long.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t want to go through that again,” then reflection is your friend.

It’s how you make sure you don’t have to.

Here’s how to build simple reflection habits into your business — without adding to your to-do list.

1. Keep it short and honest

You don’t need a formal review process. Just ask:

• What went well?
• What didn’t?
• What would I change next time?

Even 5 minutes of honest reflection will teach you more than any course ever could.

2. Capture insights in the moment

When something works — write it down.

When something goes sideways — write that down too.

Your future self will thank you.

3. Create a “lessons learned” folder

This can be a doc, a note on your phone, or a physical notebook. It doesn’t matter — just make it easy to access.

Every time you finish a project, add 3 bullet points:

• One thing that worked
• One thing that didn’t
• One thing you’ll do differently

4. Reflect as a team

If you’ve got collaborators, schedule a 10-minute chat after each project to share reflections. It strengthens communication and trust.

5. Use your reflections

Before you start the next project, read through your notes. Adjust your approach. Make smarter choices.

That’s how you get better — not just busier.

Reflection helps you grow on purpose — not just by accident.

This article was originally published at: https://medium.com/@nadegeminois/the-secret-to-finishing-projects-even-when-youre-busy-852a266ee6e8

One of the hardest things in small business life?

Finishing what you start.

You get excited. You plan the project. You take the first steps.

And then… real life happens.

Client work gets in the way. Energy dips. Momentum fades. The project sits half-done.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. But here’s the secret:

Small, consistent progress beats big bursts every time.

You don’t need to work on your project for three hours a day. You just need to move it forward — a little — each week.

Here’s how:

1. Break it down. Avoid vague tasks like “work on launch.” Get specific: “Write the intro paragraph,” “Upload product photo,” “Schedule Instagram post.”
2. Block the time. Even one focused hour a week makes a difference. Put it in your calendar. Treat it like a meeting with your future self.
3. Track progress visibly. Use a board, a notebook, or sticky notes. Seeing things move to “done” creates momentum.
4. Review. Check what’s done, what’s next, and what’s getting in the way. Adjust — and keep going.
5. Celebrate micro-wins. Finished a page? Sent the email? Crossed something off? Pause and notice. Progress fuels progress.

Finishing doesn’t happen in a burst of motivation. It happens in small, intentional steps.

So ask yourself: what’s one thing you could complete this week?

Do it. Then do the next. That’s how projects finish — even when life is full.