Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 5, 2023

Many of you business professionals I meet in my business consulting and mentoring roles seem very determined to advance their career, or even start their own business. I find many of you can talk at length about your innovative ideas and passions, and ask a lot of good questions, but never make much progress or build a real plan.

Startup 100

Startup Mentor Education Summary 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2022

New blood and new ideas are keys to agility. That means making sure you are utilizing coaching and mentoring, as well as training to keep up with changes in technology and the marketplace. Adopt some key metrics to measure your change agility. Reseed teams with new leaders and rotation.

Competition 148

Competition Metrics Demand Customer 148

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2020

In my experience as a mentor, I find that keeping creative thinking in the balance is a challenge for every startup, due to the natural employee tendency to resist change. Using data metrics alone for decisions, without seeking the root problem and alternative solutions, kills creativity. Diversity challenges group think.

Metrics 157

Metrics Demand Statistics Sales 157

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

As a business advisor, I meet many business professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs who are anxious to be their own boss , or have an innovative idea to start or acquire a new business. You should pick an idea that you can hand off quickly to investors, or one you can grow as a legacy for your family.

Startup 94

Startup Ideas Metrics Entrepreneur 94

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

I have often thought that creative endeavors where one has a quick turn-around between idea and realization of one’s work as one of the more fulfilling experiences in life. And then in the late 90’s money crept in, swept in to town by public markets, instant wealth and an absurd sky-rocketing of valuations based on no reasonable metrics.

Venture Capital 466

Venture Capital Startup Marketing Pricing 466

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

I’m a believer in the old saying that investors look for great people, more than great ideas. They mentor each other, and seek out experts in domains outside their current expertise and experience. Using metrics to measure results and commitments. Assembling a winning team and delivering results.

Startup 113

Startup Customer Custom Technical Review 113

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2022

One of the attributes that I often recommend to the business professionals and entrepreneurs I mentor is to always be totally accountable for your actions and ideas. Setting your own metrics, and measuring yourself , will facilitate accountability. Be available for mentoring and coaching to others.

Activity 109

Activity Organization Mentor Training 109

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2023

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Search Engine Optimization 103

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 103

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2023

Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. New startup founders keep all the operating metrics they need in their head. At minimum, you need to get an exit advisor to keep you on course.

Startup 99

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 19, 2021

As an angel investor in new startups, I’ve long believed that investors invest in people, not ideas. As a mentor, my mission is to recommend actions that can strengthen your image with investors and peers, as well as help you get the startup job done. Define and use real metrics to measure progress. Don’t play the blame game.

Customer 157

Customer Custom Metrics Ideas 157

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 28, 2021

Almost every entrepreneur and new business owner I mentor is certain that his/her idea has a very high probability of success, and all find it hard to believe that ninety percent of startups ultimately fail. I realized that he and I see several common patterns that account for a large percentage of new venture failures.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2022

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to get satisfaction from this lifestyle. Put it behind you by setting your own realistic metrics for success and happiness. Only 13 percent of workers are fully engaged in their job. The sad part is that it seems to be getting worse, rather than better.

Satisfaction 153

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing Startup 153

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

As a new business advisor and occasional investor, I get approached regularly by people who have a dream or a new business idea, and are looking for support and money to make it a reality. Thus, I’m more impressed with entrepreneurs who ask me to review their implementation plan, rather than listen again to their idea.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2019

Unfortunately, many aspiring leaders I mentor are not aware of the signals people are looking for, or are not attuned to the subtleties of their own actions. Define metrics to measure what you want to achieve. Respectful conflict surfaces and refines new ideas. Show humility while acting as a mentor and coach.

Mentor 98

Mentor News Summary Coach 98

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. What will you do if you get no traction on this idea? Great social entrepreneurs are rare.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 13, 2020

As a mentor to entrepreneurs over the years, I see many of you who don’t communicate enough, others who seem to do all the talking, and some that are hesitant to be direct and open. You as the leader have a responsibility to define goals, strategy, and operational metrics. Set your goal to be the best idea will always win.

Startup 124

Startup Ideas Examples Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2023

In fact, in my experience as an executive and a mentor to entrepreneurs, sustainable results require a balance between hard work and learning , for you and your team members. Make sure your team members feel that you are always willing to listen to new ideas, and never penalize or reprimand them for thinking outside the lines.

Case Study 94

Case Study Organization Study Examples 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2021

Although many won’t admit it, true entrepreneurs can’t wait to exit their current startup, and build a new and better one with their next great idea. New startup founders keep all the operating metrics they need in their head. At minimum, you need to get an exit advisor to keep you on course.

Startup 173

Startup Entrepreneur Metrics Acquisition 173

socalTECH

AUGUST 28, 2017

We're focused on larger scale events, not do-it-yourself type events, and we're really for people planning large scale events, looking for ideas, and who are looking for a professional to help them. Being a digital person, I kept looking online for new ideas. That's how I came up with the idea. Why did you create PartySlate?

Technical Advisors 100

Technical Advisors Technical Review Metrics Startup 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 1, 2022

In my role as a mentor, I challenge every business leader to be more open-minded as they face the challenges of change and new competitors entering their space. You need to solicit diverse and creative ideas from outliers, and people who are willing to take a risk, even if you don’t agree. For this to work requires trust on both sides.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Customer Custom Social Media 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

Investors I know highlight this problem with the mantra that they fund founders and teams who can execute, rather than ones who just talk about their great ideas. After many years of working in and starting businesses, I’m convinced that implementing new business ideas is much more difficult than coming up with the ideas.

Develop 103

Develop Development Coach Metrics 103

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Investors I know highlight this problem with the mantra that they fund founders and teams who can execute, rather than ones who just talk about their great ideas. After many years of working in and starting businesses, I’m convinced that implementing new business ideas is much more difficult than coming up with the ideas.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Metrics 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2015

In my perspective as an advisor and mentor to many entrepreneurs, there are a set of basic strategies that can be applied to every startup to dramatically improve the odds of success, no matter what the business domain. As an investor, I’ve heard people talk for many minutes, and I still had no idea where they were going or why.

Startup 101

Startup Metrics Resource Mentor 101

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2020

As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I tend to see many of the same obstacles appearing in every new startup, and since I don’t want to appear to be a downer , I’m not sure how to properly warn people ahead of time to be on the alert for these challenges. Competitors see the value of your idea, and the good ones move fast.

Startup 131

Startup Entrepreneur Examples Customer 131

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2020

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. Put it behind you by setting your own realistic metrics for success and happiness. Only 13 percent of workers are fully engaged in their job. One obvious alternative is to become an entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 123

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing Startup 123

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 22, 2014

In my experience as a mentor, I find that keeping creative thinking in the balance is a challenge for every startup, due to the natural employee tendency to resist change. Using data metrics alone for decisions, without seeking the root problem and alternative solutions, kills creativity. Diversity challenges group think.

Entrepreneur 113

Entrepreneur Metrics Demand Statistics 113

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2018

Yet in my talks with these executives, they are unaware of the issues, or have no idea how to change processes at the rate of change today. You need to communicate quantified and updates goals quarterly, including the metrics to assess progress and success. Track competitors and influencers for trends and ideas.

Technical Review 84

Technical Review Customer Custom Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 25, 2018

They are so immersed in their mission and their own ideas, that they find it hard to change their focus to nurturing new employees, and making sure the people have the same passion and motivation for the solution. Establish metrics on the culture, as well as the product. Recruit, mentor, and promote talent to highlight opportunity.

Metrics 57

Metrics Startup Netflix Customer 57

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 27, 2019

As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I often get asked for the magic that has made Amazon the world's most valuable brand , from a total unknown only twenty years ago. Contrary to popular belief, I’m convinced that business success is more of function of the right people, rather than the right idea.

Marketing 123

Marketing Technical Review Customer Custom 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 9, 2019

For employees, showing empathy and respect for their ideas and challenges is key. Your role is to provide mentoring and support as required. Annual bonuses tied to production metrics are nice, but these will not generate the long-term trust and loyalty you need to set the culture.

Customer 92

Customer Custom Mentor Training 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2013

In my experience as a mentor, I find that keeping creative thinking in the balance is a challenge for every startup, due to the natural employee tendency to resist change. Using data metrics alone for decisions, without seeking the root problem and alternative solutions, kills creativity. Diversity challenges group think.

Metrics 110

Metrics Entrepreneur Demand Statistics 110

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Startup 89

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Cash flow is a basic survival metric for every startup. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 31, 2016

In my experience as a mentor, I find that keeping creative thinking in the balance is a challenge for every startup, due to the natural employee tendency to resist change. Using data metrics alone for decisions, without seeking the root problem and alternative solutions, kills creativity. Diversity challenges group think.

Metrics 60

Metrics Demand Statistics Sales 60

socalTECH

OCTOBER 26, 2016

We select ten per class, and help those startups connect with mentors and other people in that local environment who can be helpful to the business. Since then, we've replicated the model with a local managing director, local mentors, and have expanded to roughly 25 different programs around the world. billion combined.

Startup 100

Startup Los Angeles Mentor Class 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 25, 2016

Here are some key ideas to get you started: It all starts with the right people on your team. It must be written down, with measurable team objectives, validated by metrics and compared against competition. Provide coaching and mentoring as well as training. Most importantly, your actions speak louder than words.

Customer 55

Customer Custom Startup Coach 55