Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 31, 2021

Here are a few simple principles leading to constructive conflict resolution that I espouse, as summarized from the classic book by Peter T. Try a good business mentor to get you on the right track. On the other extreme, constant and unmanaged conflict will quickly drive your startup to be dysfunctional. Not all conflicts are bad.

Activity 129

Activity Research Mentor Entrepreneur 129

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2015

Based on my experience as an investor and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and elsewhere, one of the quickest ways to kill your credibility and your startup is to offer a poorly written business plan, or none at all. A great business plan doesn’t have to be a book in length, with extensive financial statements.

Startup 109

Startup Writing Mentor Sample 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2021

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. Even if you have an hour booked, the advice is the same. Investor and strategic partner pitch. Pitch your company, not your product. Financial model.

Entrepreneur 156

Entrepreneur Tips Funding Startup 156

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 11, 2023

Obviously, the business of business has been around a long time, with many “best practices” well-defined and well documented, so creativity that ignores these is usually not a good thing.

Marketing 119

Marketing Metrics Demand Statistics 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

In my experience as a business mentor, one of the biggest challenges I see is a failure to focus. Good examples of initial focus by an entrepreneur would include Jeff Bezos when he started Amazon as an online marketplace for books only, and Elon Musk starting PayPal as an online bank. Documented business objectives and a timeline.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Resource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2017

I found this perspective validated in a new book, “ Plan Commit Win: 90 Days to Creating a Fundable Startup ,” by serial entrepreneur and strategic consultant Patrick Henry. Develop the right mentoring relationships. It’s easy to assume that your best friend is also your best mentor. Use active listening to learn the most.

Technical Review 60

Technical Review Startup Mentor Study 60

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2020

I saw the key ones outlined well in the classic book, “ Creating High Performers ,” by William Dann, a leading coach to experienced CEOs. In my own role as advisor and mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, I was struck by how relevant and critical these same initiatives are to even the earliest stage businesses.

Entrepreneur 120

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Resource 120

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 6, 2020

In my years of mentoring and working with startups, I’ve seen and read about some amazing disruptions, as well as recoveries, and I’m sure each of you could add your own. Document the ultimate goal, so people can work backward as well as forward. People who haven’t thought about a Plan B often don’t survive the shock.

Startup 133

Startup Entrepreneur Competition Mentor 133

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 5, 2018

Moonves was seen as a leader and somebody who built careers and was a mentor and a champion to many. Appendix: As an aside, while in the mountains unable to read Ronan Farrow’s story on Les Moonves, I was ironically reading his excellent book “ War on Peace ” that was a present from my wife. If you like this topic you’ll love the book.

Report 177

Report Mentor Startup Journal 177

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2020

Obviously, the business of business has been around a long time, with many “best practices” well-defined and well documented, so creativity that ignores these is usually not a good thing.

Metrics 157

Metrics Demand Statistics Sales 157

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2020

Many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. For an inspiring story full of specifics on how to achieve goals, I recommend the classic book, “ Three Points of Contact ,” by Gregory Q.

Ideas 121

Ideas Writing Startup Entrepreneur 121

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2019

I found many more helpful suggestions in a new book, “ The Culture Question ,” by Randy Grieser, Eric Stutzman, Wendy Loewen, and Michael Labun, who have spent years providing leadership and professional development training to companies around the world. Many companies also promote local mentoring and coaching opportunities.

Tips 96

Tips Satisfaction Training Mentor 96

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 13, 2010

I had to understand their business requirements and document them all. The wisest mentor I ever had was Ameet Shah , my partner on several projects. I bought the most popular book on the topic, “ The Mind of the Strategist &# by Kenichi Ohmae, who is ex McKinsey. He taught me much that I know about critical thinking.

Entrepreneur 372

Entrepreneur Startup Design Framework 372

InfoChachkie

MAY 12, 2016

It cannot be learned from a book or in a classroom. If you are a recent college graduate, mentor college students. Thus, it pays to document your daily thoughts so you can later recall and combine them with subsequent hunches. Like athletes, entrepreneurs benefit greatly from a coach, in the form of a caring mentor.

Company 80

Company Companies Startup Mentor 80

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2018

I saw some good insights on this challenge in a new book, “ The Expertise Economy ,” by Kelly Palmer and David Blake. You need a plan on how to train yourself, or be mentored, for each step along the way. Only you know your strengths and learning preferences, from jobs, conferences, books, websites, and videos.

Examples 85

Examples Social Media Competition Guide 85

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 17, 2019

I understand that Adam Grant is a fairly popular professor at Wharton and has a book that some people loved called “Originals” (for me it interesting but not mind blowing, and I have some first-hand knowledge of some of its inaccuracies). I think his advice is this op-ed is bananas. I get a lot of those, too.

Email 250

Email Writing Conference Mobile 250

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 23, 2019

Here are a few simple principles leading to constructive conflict resolution that I espouse, as summarized from the classic book by Peter T. Try a good business mentor to get you on the right track. On the other extreme, constant and unmanaged conflict will quickly drive your startup to be dysfunctional. Not all conflicts are bad.

Activity 88

Activity Research Mentor Entrepreneur 88

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2018

I found the book, “ Master Your Time, Master Your Life ,” by noted speaker and productivity expert Brian Tracy, who highlights decision making and problem solving as one of the most critical determinants of your success in everything you do. Action starts with absolute clarity on the goals you want to achieve.

Startup 84

Startup Entrepreneur Ideas Coach 84

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2019

Offer one-minute mentoring up front, and stick to it. A better approach is offer the loan of a guide book or documentation that you would have to review first anyway, or point out an expert in the department or outside who might be able to answer the question directly. Have you ever noticed how many “Do you have a minute?”

Help 94

Help Software Review Startup Examples 94

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2016

I just finished a new book, “ Master Your Time, Master Your Life ,” by noted speaker and productivity expert Brian Tracy, who highlights decision making and problem solving as one of the most critical determinants of your success in everything you do. Action starts with absolute clarity on the goals you want to achieve.

Startup 106

Startup Entrepreneur Ideas Coach 106

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2014

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. Even if you have an hour booked, the advice is the same. Investor and strategic partner pitch. Pitch your company, not your product. Financial model.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Startup Writing Slides 108

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2016

Too many aspiring entrepreneurs I mentor can talk at length about their innovative ideas and passions, and ask lots of good questions, but never make much progress in building a real business. For an inspiring story full of specifics on how to achieve goals, I recommend a recent book, “ Three Points of Contact ,” by Gregory Q.

Writing 100

Writing Ideas Startup Entrepreneur 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2014

In my years of mentoring and working with startups, I’ve seen and read about some amazing disruptions, as well as recoveries, and I’m sure each of you could add your own. Document the ultimate goal, so people can work backward as well as forward. People who haven’t thought about a Plan B often don’t survive the shock.

Entrepreneur 103

Entrepreneur Startup Competition Mentor 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 15, 2015

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. Even if you have an hour booked, the advice is the same. Investor and strategic partner pitch. Pitch your company, not your product. Financial model.

Startup 104

Startup Writing Entrepreneur Slides 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 20, 2018

As a mentor to startups and new entrepreneurs, I continue to hear the refrain that business plans are no longer required for a new startup, since investors never read them anyway. Even if you have an hour booked, the advice is the same. Investor and strategic partner pitch. Pitch your company, not your product. Financial model.

Startup 65

Startup Entrepreneur Slides Content 65

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist. Don’t believe that Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2014

Obviously, the business of business has been around a long time, with many “best practices” well-defined and well documented, so creativity that ignores these is usually not a good thing.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Metrics Demand Statistics 113

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2017

For those of you who are looking for some guidance on how to meet this balance, I found some real insights in a new book, “ Purpose Meets Execution ,” by award winning HR executive and business leader Louis Efron. The reality is that purpose must be balanced with execution for long-term survival. Find new methods for improving communication.

Satisfaction 56

Satisfaction Customer Custom Startup 56

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2017

Here are a few simple rules of thumb toward constructive conflict resolution that I espouse, as summarized from the classic book by Peter T. Try a good business mentor to get you on the right track. On the other extreme, constant and unmanaged conflict will quickly drive your startup to be dysfunctional. Not all conflicts are bad.

Activity 57

Activity Research Entrepreneur Mentor 57

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

I was happy to see a real focus on preparing for tomorrow highlighted in a new book, “ Start a Successful Business ,” by Colleen DeBaise, who has made a career of studying and writing about entrepreneur challenges. Tomorrow is never mentioned in the pitch. Regularly follow reviews and influencers in your industry.

Customer 57

Customer Custom Technical Review Software Review 57

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2018

Recently, I completed a new book, “ Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself ,” by Mike Michalowicz, that really helped me pull my own thoughts and recommendations together for the beleaguered business owners I try to help. Document required systems for repeatability without you.

Resource 60

Resource Examples Design Entrepreneur 60

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2013

Here are a few simple rules of thumb toward constructive conflict resolution that I espouse, as summarized from a book by Peter T. Try a good business mentor to get you on the right track. On the other extreme, constant and unmanaged conflict will quickly drive your startup to be dysfunctional. Not all conflicts are bad.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Activity Research Startup 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2017

As a long-time business advisor and entrepreneur mentor, I see this problem all too often. Documenting your work list will help force you to prioritize and schedule it. If your assistant books ahead every hour of your time for meetings and scheduled functions, you will tend to procrastinate and fail on late-arriving priority items.

Satisfaction 60

Satisfaction Guide Mentor Help 60

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2015

In my years of mentoring and working with startups, I’ve seen and read about some amazing disruptions, as well as recoveries, and I’m sure each of you could add your own. Document the ultimate goal, so people can work backward as well as forward. People who haven’t thought about a Plan B often don’t survive the shock.

Startup 58

Startup Demand Entrepreneur Competition 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 28, 2012

Here are a few simple rules of thumb toward constructive conflict resolution, as summarized from a book by Peter T. Try a good business mentor to get you on the right track. Closure in business should include formalizing the result in a written document, with clearly outlined terms and activities, and follow-on milestones as required.

Startup 97

Startup Activity Research Entrepreneur 97

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 6, 2016

I saw the key ones outlined well in a recent book, “ Creating High Performers ,” by William Dann, a leading coach to experienced CEOs. In my own role as advisor and mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, I was struck by how relevant and critical these same initiatives are to even the earliest stage businesses.

Coach 52

Coach Satisfaction Entrepreneur Resource 52

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2013

Obviously, the business of business has been around a long time, with many “best practices” well-defined and well documented, so creativity that ignores these is usually not a good thing.

Metrics 110

Metrics Entrepreneur Demand Statistics 110