Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 23, 2022

In addition, today’s customers judge a company by perceived people relationships through social media, phone conversations, and sales experiences. As a business advisor and investor in new startups, I see how difficult it is to make any process work, no matter how well designed, if the team is dysfunctional.

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Coach Organization Mentor Startup 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2023

With the advent of social media, and instant communication via the Internet, that definition has been expanded to include all aspects of the customer experience , from finding you and what they need, to the ease of completing the transaction, as well as all follow-on support. Make sure non-contact experiences match face-to-face.

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Competition Services Customer Custom 109

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2021

People who are anxious to improve, or reluctant to take an initiative, really need your direct guidance and coaching to learn what they need to do. One of the most successful strategies for new startups today is to lead with their "higher purpose," such as a focus on the environment or helping the disadvantaged.

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Coach Activity Customer Custom 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2022

These authors reference real cases and real business leaders, based on their decades of experience in building companies and executive coaching. I offer here their summary of purposes and inspirations that have motivated existing business leaders, with insights from my own mentoring and coaching experience.

Technical Review 143

Technical Review Coach Mentor Customer 143

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 18, 2020

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Either could improve the statistic that half of startups fail within the first five years. So why do most startups fail?

Entrepreneur 121

Entrepreneur Startup Statistics Course 121

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

Today, with the Internet and social media, if you aren’t visible in a positive way to everyone, including customers, your leadership efforts will be lost. I can attest that he was always seeking relationships with other more mature executives, and even today maintains a mentoring relationship with Warren Buffett.

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Mentor IBM IBM Social Media 145

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2021

They are quick to claim the credit for things in their domain that work, but also quick to disclaim responsibility for problems that keep popping up. Perhaps you need to do more to be a role model for accountability , and provide more coaching on exactly what it means. Follow up with credit to others and lessons learned.

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Training Examples Startup Social Media 173

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 25, 2012

On August 9th, Startup Weekend San Diego and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University partnered with Google to host the very first Startup Weekend focused on helping Veterans, Service Members and Military Families turn their visions into reality in creating a startup company.

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San Diego Startup Services Google 96

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

Yet I find, as a mentor and outside consultant, that many of you focus only on working conditions and compensation as the key factors determining team engagement , health, and productivity. The recent pandemic and remote team members have made the focus on social even more critical. Spiritual connections. Environmental safety.

Technical Review 141

Technical Review Mentor Social Media Customer 141

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 10, 2014

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Either could improve the statistic that most startups fail within the first five years. So why do most startups fail?

Startup 110

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Course 110

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2019

In addition, today’s customers judge a company by perceived people relationships through social media, phone conversations, and sales experiences. As a business advisor and investor in new startups, I see how difficult it is to make any process work, no matter how well designed, if the team is dysfunctional.

Coach 94

Coach Organization Mentor Startup 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2022

I’m sure you will agree that not all business leaders are created equal, starting from the CEO on down. You must build a foundation of trust to get the relationships you need for honest communication, focus on the future, and real coaching on how to improve the business. Every business leader needs good “ managing up ” skills.

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Template Demand Social Media Summary 109

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 23, 2022

Many of you business leaders I work with, and entrepreneurs I mentor, have a great strategy and an innovative solution , but struggle with building and motivating the team necessary to run your business. Spend time coaching and mentoring team members. In my experience, what a team needs more is your connection and inspiration.

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Mentor Social Media Coach Customer 108

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

These days, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs. Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done.

Email 96

Email Activity Product Social Media 96

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2022

In my experience, the right team culture is critical to every business and startup success, so every business leader wants to know how to create it. I believe you must start by being a role model for strong personal values and purpose, as well as empathy for others, sustainable energy, and self-awareness.

Product 109

Product Training Customer Custom 109

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2020

These holidays, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs. Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done.

Email 170

Email Activity Social Media Coach 170

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 21, 2017

In addition, today’s customers judge a company by perceived people relationships through social media, phone conversations, and sales experiences. As a business advisor and investor in new startups, I see how difficult it is to make any process work, no matter how well designed, if the team is dysfunctional.

Entrepreneur 78

Entrepreneur Coach Organization Mentor 78

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

For example, as a member of an angel investment group, I sometimes do some “due diligence” on promising startups looking for funding. This has to start with selecting the right partners, and hiring people who believe in you and your business. Provide cross-functional mentoring and coaching.

Marketing 71

Marketing Tips Technical Review Social Media 71

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2015

If an entrepreneur can’t build a culture of excitement and commitment at a startup, the chances of long-term success are negligible. As a mentor to entrepreneurs, I often get asked what you can do to build the right culture. Mentoring and training programs need to be put in place early. Make your startup a winning place to work.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Technical Review Mentor Training 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

in Physics who talks passionately about starting a business producing nuclear powered batteries. I find the best business plans are not books, but may actually should start as a one-page “elevator pitch” that succinctly encompasses your business goals, problems and solution, opportunity, competition, and business model.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 15, 2018

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Either could improve the statistic that half of startups fail within the first five years. So why do most startups fail?

Startup 56

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Course 56

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2017

Hopefully, between the two of us, more of you with big business dreams will follow the leads and generate more successful business results: Start by getting your hands dirty. The business world doesn’t thrive with yet another social media or dating site – it’s begging for paradigm shifts in the technology or business model.

Startup 63

Startup Entrepreneur Social Media Coach 63

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2016

When I heard a friend and business mentor say, “Your startup won’t fail if you don’t quit,” I realized that every entrepreneur should adopt “never give up” as their mantra. Either could improve the statistic that most startups fail within the first five years. So why do most startups fail?

Startup 58

Startup Entrepreneur Statistics Course 58

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2017

In my years of mentoring and advising business leaders, I find that real planning for the future always gets the short shrift. I believe these factors are key to the future success of every new startup, as well as every mature company: Leadership must be values-based and people focused.

Company 55

Company Companies Artificial Inteligence Technical Review 55

Jason Nazar

MAY 3, 2016

I started Docstoc in my 20’s, made the cover of one of those cliché “20 Under 20” lists, and today I employ an amazing group of 20-somethings. Call me a curmudgeon, but at 34, how I came up seems so different from what this millennial generation expects. Time is the only treasure we start off with in abundance, and can never get back.

Social Media 44

Social Media Tips Startup Mentor 44

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 13, 2015

These days, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs. Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done.

Email 100

Email Activity Product Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2018

Help your employees build their individual strengths with customized coaching and special assignments. This may seem counter-intuitive to many managers who fear losing their best employees, since managers never seem to have time to focus on recruiting and mentoring new talent. Actively seek new opportunities for good employees.

Mentor 52

Mentor IBM IBM Examples 52

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

But Mark, many of the great firms are $500 million and up! When it went to raise its fund 10 years ago the rumor was that many LPs were disappointed with recent returns and did not re-up. And Coach Campbell. And hard for me to imagine the Fred Wilson and Albert Wenger weren’t instrumental mentors to David.

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Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 4, 2023

The best startups give everyone business cards and encourage team members to talk about the business with anyone who should be interested. These might include anyone bringing in a new customer, representing the company in a good social cause, or participating in a video or social media campaign on their own time.

Startup 95

Startup Coach Mentor Social Media 95

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

Most of you business professionals that I know have at least thought about or talked about starting their own business, to get more control, make more money, or to get more satisfaction out of their life. As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2023

I’m sure you can imagine how much that impacts any business or startup’s ability to react to changing customer needs and growth opportunities, no matter how insightful their leaders. Listen to everyone's input, encourage people to speak up, and repeat back what you have heard. Facilitate coaching and mentoring, inside and outside.

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Coach Mentor Study Activity 117

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 14, 2020

The best startups give everyone business cards and encourage team members to talk about the business with anyone who should be interested. These might include anyone bringing in a new customer, representing the company in a good social cause, or participating in a video or social media campaign on their own time.

Marketing 130

Marketing Develop Development Startup 130

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2016

The best startups give everyone business cards and encourage team members to talk about the business with anyone who should be interested. These might include anyone bringing in a new customer, representing the company in a good social cause, or participating in a video or social media campaign on their own time.

Marketing 89

Marketing Coach Mentor Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 15, 2021

In this age of social media and world-wide Internet, message delivery from business leaders needs to change, just like the message changes from leaders in your personal lives. Just a few years ago, no one could have imagined getting text messages from parents, or a President prone to communicate via Twitter.

Social Media 174

Social Media Content Coach Customer 174

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 16, 2015

The smart ones get some extra support early on critical decisions, and work a bit harder on issues that are common startup killers. Helpers may be cheaper and quicker to find, but they cost you dearly in managing, coaching and error recovery. Don’t wait for the first cash-flow crisis to start talking to investors.

Startup 96

Startup Mentor Entrepreneur Social Media 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 17, 2017

In this age of social media and world-wide Internet, message delivery from business leaders needs to change, just like the message changes from leaders in your personal lives. Just a few years ago, no one could have imagined getting text messages from parents, or a President prone to communicate via Twitter.

Content 74

Content Social Media Coach Customer 74