Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

It seems inherent in the mind of most first-time entrepreneurs that it was their idea, and they must do all the work themselves to make it happen. I saw this challenge highlighted well in a new book, “ Leadership Skills that Inspire Incredible Results ,” by Fred Halstead. You need to divide and conquer.

Technical Review 96

Technical Review Ideas Startup Entrepreneur 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 15, 2020

In his classic book, “ The Leadership Capital Index ,” Dave Ulrich, a best-selling author, business consultant, and business school professor, provides some real insights and metrics on what makes up the elements of goodwill in the minds of top valuation experts. I have paraphrased his key points here as follows: Leader personal impact.

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Technical Review Organization Coach Invest 124

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2022

As I talk to business owners and entrepreneurs, I’m surprised at how many complain about team members who feel taken for granted , or have contributions not appreciated. Coach them that working hard, over long hours, is not enough. Great communication inside the organization and outside is the key to value.

Coach 119

Coach Organization Technical Review Satisfaction 119

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

Every entrepreneur and business leader I know realizes that it takes a dedicated team to build and run a successful business, and nurturing that team is one of your most important priorities. Thus I was pleased to see a much more complete and broader perspective of employee support recommendations in a new book, “ Employees First! ”

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Technical Review Mentor Social Media Customer 141

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 26, 2014

Many entrepreneurs fantasize about days longer than 24 hours, convinced that their new venture could change the world, if they just had more time. However, this topic is particularly critical to entrepreneurs, who struggle with challenges and crises every day that they didn’t anticipate. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Technical Review Email Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 8, 2021

Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected. It’s a tough job, and inexperienced entrepreneurs just don’t know where to start, and how to do it. Train and coach continuously.

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Startup Training Customer Custom 154

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 21, 2021

In my current role as a consultant to entrepreneurs and small business owners, I’ve accumulated my own list of insights on how some people get more done. All the best business leaders I know are not afraid to use advisors, peers, books, and the Internet to understand what’s possible, and how to do it.

Technical Review 123

Technical Review Coach Satisfaction Mentor 123

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 24, 2019

Yet, in my daily role as an advisor to entrepreneurs and small business owners, struggling to boost revenues, profits, and earnings, I still see too many managers falling back on command-and-control, a focus on weaknesses, and not enough time for people. Your people will expect more coaches than bosses. Change is hard.

Coach 95

Coach Technical Review Satisfaction Examples 95

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2022

Every entrepreneur and business leader waits too long before really working on the legacy that he wants to leave to society and his family. Bill Gates will probably be more remembered in fifty years for his Foundation to save lives in developing countries, than Steve Jobs for his “insanely great” consumer technology advances.

Guide 126

Guide Startup Technical Review Coach 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2019

What every entrepreneur needs more than anything else, after they have built an innovative new product or service, is visibility, credibility, and trust by customers, potential employees, and future business partners. Key value elements of a good book include the following: Publishing a book defines you as an influencer and authority.

Writing 19

Writing Technical Review Entrepreneur Advertising 19

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2015

Every entrepreneur and business leader waits too long before really working on the legacy that he wants to leave to society and his family. Bill Gates will probably be more remembered in fifty years for the his Foundation to save lives in developing countries, than Steve Jobs for his “insanely great” consumer technology advances.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Guide Startup Technical Review 102

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2015

In a new book, “ The Leadership Capital Index ,” Dave Ulrich, a best-selling author, business consultant, and business school professor, provides some real insights and metrics on what makes up the elements of goodwill in the minds of top valuation experts. For startups, the entrepreneur and founder is almost always the face of the company.

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Technical Review Organization Coach Invest 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2017

You can have the best technology, but if customers don’t know you exist, or they don’t know how your technology solves a real problem for them, your startup will fail. Yet I see many technology entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. Marketing is everything these days.

Tips 75

Tips Marketing Technical Review Startup 75

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 7, 2015

Many entrepreneurs fantasize about days longer than 24 hours, convinced that their new venture could change the world, if they just had more time. I found some new insight and direction on this subject in a classic book by Jan Yager, Ph.D., “ Put More Time On Your Side.” Get a neutral eye review before submitting critical work.

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Technical Review Entrepreneur Email Social Media 104

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2017

Yet in this age of technology, many seem to favor tools and data to get the edge, or can’t find the time to talk to real people. I just finished a new book that highlights this approach, “ One Minute Mentoring ,” by the legendary business consultant Ken Blanchard, in concert with Claire Diaz-Ortiz.

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Mentor Technical Review LAMP Coach 61

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2013

Young entrepreneurs and startups, in particular, often remain naively unfocused, despite their passion, of what it takes to provide the high-quality service expected. It’s a tough job, and inexperienced entrepreneurs just don’t know where to start, and how to do it. Train and coach continuously.

Customer 92

Customer Custom Startup Services 92

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 6, 2014

I should note that my friend Brad Feld has written a new book on the subject that I would recommend if you want the bible on the topic. And here’s an important point that I think modern entrepreneurs often forget: Investors are “co-owners” of your business. Reviewing financial & operational performance.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 19, 2013

You can have the best technology, but if customers don’t know you exist, or they don’t know how your technology solves a real problem for them, your startup will fail. Yet I see many entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late. entrepreneurs need to focus more on who they are marketing to and why.

Startup 103

Startup Marketing Social Media Technical Review 103

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 6, 2014

I would start by asking the candidate, “How did you decide on these five people” as part of your review process. By the way, I also strongly advise that entrepreneurs reference VCs. Plus, if she does have areas where we could coach her on improvement it would help to know that coming in.” Having an accomplice.

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Startup Technical Review Entrepreneur Report 302

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2017

Most of the guidance you see for entrepreneurs is aimed at those who are selling a product (Apple, Tesla, Xiaomi), or selling a service (Uber, Airbnb, Snapchat). The “product” value is difficult to quantify, the costs are nebulous, and entrepreneurs have to clone themselves to scale the business.

Social Media 56

Social Media Pricing Technical Review Demand 56

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 12, 2010

This is probably because many founders are product or technology people. I was WAY off between my book research about what the engineering & construction market would want (my first company) and what they actually wanted. If this is you I think it’s really important to get over this hurdle.

Sales 346

Sales Startup Technical Review Customer 346

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2017

Many business executives and entrepreneurs I know are convinced that business success is all about having the right solution for the right price. I like the points made in the classic book, “ You Can Win ,” by Shiv Khera. His 30 years of business and coaching experience bring credibility to his perspective.

Software Review 57

Software Review Technical Review Startup Press 57

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2019

Every entrepreneur and business leader waits too long before really working on the legacy that he wants to leave to society and his family. Bill Gates will probably be more remembered in fifty years for his Foundation to save lives in developing countries, than Steve Jobs for his “insanely great” consumer technology advances.

Guide 64

Guide Startup Technical Review Coach 64

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2017

Of course, nobody really knows all of what tomorrow will bring, in terms of globalization, digital technology, or demographic shifts, but most experts agree that certain elements are already obvious, and things must be done today to get your business ready in time. Data technology facilitates more fact-based decisions.

Company 55

Company Companies Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 55

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2017

Every entrepreneur and business leader waits too long before really working on the legacy that he wants to leave to society and his family. Bill Gates will probably be more remembered in fifty years for the his Foundation to save lives in developing countries, than Steve Jobs for his “insanely great” consumer technology advances.

Guide 74

Guide Startup Technical Review Coach 74

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 26, 2014

Every entrepreneur and business leader waits too long before really working on the legacy that he wants to leave to society and his family. Bill Gates will probably be more remembered in fifty years for the his efforts and Foundation to save lives in developing countries, than Steve Jobs for his “insanely great” consumer technology advances.

Guide 94

Guide Startup Technical Review Coach 94

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 1, 2023

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Success leverages success.

Startup 117

Startup Ideas Social Network Technical Review 117

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2020

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Success leverages success.

Startup 132

Startup Tips Ideas Entrepreneur 132

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2013

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Success leverages success.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Social Network 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 16, 2016

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Success leverages success.

Entrepreneur 58

Entrepreneur Marketing Startup Ideas 58

socalTECH

MAY 23, 2017

No one has ever been able to execute on that from a technology standpoint before. We are a technology company, not an ad agency, and we are really just a bunch of nerds who believe we can turn this thing upside down, and let people try those apps out before downloading. The basic premise, is try before you buy.

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Startup Southern California UCLA Technical Review 113

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2017

As an entrepreneur advisor and startup investor, it always amazes me how obvious these alignment issues are from the outside, and how hard it is to make them visible inside and get them corrected. All too often, employees pay lip service to their management, but execute their own agenda, due to lack of understanding or disagreements.

Company 54

Company Companies Technical Review Coach 54

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2018

Too many entrepreneurs I know still believe that that their great idea will carry the startup, and they may even minimize their own value, especially if they have introvert tendencies. Yet most investors agree that the “idea” is worth nothing alone, and it’s the entrepreneur execution that counts. Success leverages success.

Ideas 59

Ideas Marketing Startup Entrepreneur 59

Tech Zulu Event

FEBRUARY 8, 2013

The creators of the renowned StartupWeekend — a place where random ad hoc teams work frantically for 54 hours to build a demo of a new business and then complete for fame and fortune — have picked up where StartupWeekend left off and have birthed a new course for entrepreneurs who need to level up called StartupWeekend Next.

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Class Mentor Startup UCLA 98

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2012

I raised money as an entrepreneur, like you, in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005 for two different companies. They’re not buying a book on Amazon or shoes on Zappos. I never suggest that entrepreneurs just randomly pitch VCs. I get approached about clean tech or biotech periodically – I don’t focus on these.

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