Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 3, 2016

The new war for platforms has mostly been waged by Andreessen Horowitz who have raised astounding amounts of capital and therefore had the fees to put into providing more services for entrepreneurs. As a starting point you have to realize that investment firms (which a VC is) have management needs.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Platform Startup Resource 150

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 9, 2016

Good entrepreneurs are all about managing change, but too many forget that they have to change themselves as their dream evolves from a startup to a scalable business. For example, there once was a social network called Friendster , often credited with starting the social networking boom way back in 2002. It’s a big change.

Social Network 59

Social Network Startup Demand Entrepreneur 59

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

The points are great, but can be made even simpler and more actionable by adapting then to the world of the entrepreneur: Demonstrate character. For leaders, this is often evident in the willingness to be coached, by outside experts or by your own team. There is no shame in getting knocked down; it’s getting back up that matters.

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2016

Why is it that only the most successful entrepreneurs , including Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and Richard Branson, admit to having a mentor and actually use them? Starting a new business is tough, and the last thing you need is to suffer the same mistakes that have killed businesses like yours before you.

Mentor 95

Mentor Coach Metrics Entrepreneur 95

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2016

Maybe it’s for this reason that as professionals advance in their career, they tend to start asking fewer questions and providing more answers. This question-based leadership approach starts with humility and a firm belief in the old adage, “There are no stupid questions, only stupid answers.”

Coach 64

Coach Satisfaction Organization Activity 64

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2017

People who are good at solving problems for other people make great entrepreneurs. If you want to improve your strength in this area, or need to coach your team along these lines, I recommend the following steps: Approach every problem as a positive business opportunity. Entrepreneurs are often too passionate and impatient.

Metrics 58

Metrics Entrepreneur Examples Coach 58

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2016

Some coaches and leaders seem to have the magic for bringing out the best in everyone. Some of you cynics may think that such a thing isn’t possible, but Shawn Kent Hayashi, who has worked for years with entrepreneurs as well as Fortune 500 giants, argues otherwise. Marty Zwilling Published on IvyExec.com on 01/20/2016.

Coach 67

Coach Competition Research Develop 67

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2016

A question I often get asked as an advisor to startups is how to recognize and attract the best people to grow the business. The reality is that entrepreneurs usually don’t have the money or time for executive recruiters to do the filtering and selection for them. Follow-up personally with the candidate to close the deal.

Technical Review 56

Technical Review Coach Training Screening 56

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2016

I heard it again yesterday from a technical entrepreneur who should know better than to believe the old “ Field of Dreams ” sports fantasy movie theme in today’s Internet information overload environment. The best startups give everyone business cards and encourage team members to talk about the business with anyone who should be interested.

Marketing 89

Marketing Coach Mentor Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 18, 2016

Committees don’t create successful startups. A single visionary entrepreneur almost always is the initial implementer of an innovative new venture, but that lone entrepreneur doesn’t have the bandwidth to grow the business alone. That’s a big transition, and many entrepreneurs never make it.

Mentor 59

Mentor Entrepreneur Demand Coach 59