Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2023

Research continues to show that diversity and inclusion are crucial for improved team morale and engagement, as well as in ensuring the team brings it’s best to the market. Facilitate coaching and mentoring, inside and outside. The result is high engagement, and reduced loss of talent to competition.

Coach 117

Coach Mentor Study Activity 117

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 21, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often feel the frustration of someone trying to build a startup in the wrong place and time, and wrongly attributing their struggle to personal limitations. You need to be stimulated by easy access to many sources of learning and leadership, including universities, research, and other businesses.

Resource 131

Resource Startup Mentor Capital 131

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Shared business support services, including telephone answering, conference rooms, teleconferencing, administrative support, and a business mailing address.

Resource 159

Resource Startup Incubator Seed Funding 159

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 13, 2021

In my role as mentor to many of you aspiring entrepreneurs, I often find you convinced that all you need to start is a unique innovation or idea , and now you are ready to jump in with both feet and enjoy the ride. Do in-depth research on relevant startups and leaders. Enlist a mentor and advisor who is not a ‘yes’ person.

Satisfaction 135

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Startup Mentor 135

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2022

According to Forrester Research, 44% of online consumers say that having questions answered by a live person while in the middle of an online purchase is usually a decision maker. Seek mentoring from established industry leaders. In some cases, the best mentor is one of your best customers. Stay current.

Marketing 119

Marketing Social Media Mentor Custom 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2013

The entrepreneurial wunderkinds who find success without higher education "are exceptions to the rule," says Robert Litan, Vice President of Research and Policy at the Kauffman Foundation. Academic research supports that this experience pays off. It's a huge opportunity to learn early. Build a business plan early on.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Course Education 105

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2011

The entrepreneurial wunderkinds who find success without higher education "are exceptions to the rule," says Robert Litan, Vice President of Research and Policy at the Kauffman Foundation. Academic research supports that this experience pays off. It's a huge opportunity to learn early. Build a business plan early on.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Startup Course Education 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

In my role as a mentor to business professionals and entrepreneurs over the years, I have found that it’s important to take a hard look at the relationships around you on a regular basis. But, like most other skills, you can learn from these priorities: Everyone benefits from active mentoring.

Tips 95

Tips Mentor Coach Activity 95

SoCal CTO

JANUARY 26, 2010

How do we need to structure the systems to get ahead and stay ahead of the competition? What technology research is required? Given likely market changes, how will we design and build so that the systems can respond to marketplace changes? What are the biggest areas of technical risk? How can we address this risk?

Fractional CTO 225

Fractional CTO CTO CTO Hire CTO Coach 225

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Do research on investor visibility via Google and social media. The only successful entrepreneur-investor relationships are win-win ones.

Technical Review 138

Technical Review Startup Innocal Offshore 138

Tech.Co

MAY 25, 2018

BlackTech Week was created in 2014, and in four short years, they’ve gained over 2700 participants, 150 speakers, and 3 pitch competitions. Founded in 2013, digitalundivided leads high potential Black and Latino women founders through the startup pipeline with a focus on knowledge, research and community.

Startup 137

Startup Technical Review Competition Software Review 137

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 3, 2015

The rest of our partners, principles, associates and EIRs can weigh in with commentary on their views of the quality of the entrepreneur, the market, the product, competition and so forth. When the partner hears all of the input he or she goes away to do more research, gather more information and get ready to face the doubters.

Startup 150

Startup Venture Capital Invest Framework 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2022

As a mentor to many business professionals and owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs, I find a wealth of innovative ideas, but often less insight on what it really takes to transform ideas into an income stream that can excite new customers into long-term business success. It takes a wealth of hungry buyers to sustain a great business idea.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Case Study Examples 145

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

The entrepreneurial wunderkinds who find success without higher education "are exceptions to the rule," says Robert Litan, Vice President of Research and Policy at the Kauffman Foundation. Academic research supports that this experience pays off. It's a huge opportunity to learn early. Build a business plan early on.

Technical Advisors 90

Technical Advisors Startup Course Entrepreneur 90

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started. Don’t be shy about networking for advisors with business experience for coaching and mentoring. The challenge is when and how to make the switch to the entrepreneur lifestyle. The ability to pivot quickly is a key to success.

Startup 114

Startup Satisfaction Coach Tips 114

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2020

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Do research on investor visibility via Google and social media. The only successful entrepreneur-investor relationships are win-win ones.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Funding Innocal Offshore 124

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

With some coaching and mentoring from other leaders, I was able to do it myself, so I know you can do it too, by committing to the following strategies: Train yourself to always look for positives, not negatives. Optimistic business leaders see value in every new business challenge, rather than stress and risk.

Coach 137

Coach Training Satisfaction Mentor 137

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Thus, as an initial step in my mentoring efforts to young or older aspiring entrepreneurs alike, I always recommend ways of dipping your toes in the water, before risking all your life savings, some important personal relationships, and your own well-being for a long time to come. Attend industry and investor meetings and conferences.

Sample 126

Sample Entrepreneur Ideas Startup 126

socalTECH

MAY 2, 2013

There''s a lot of great research and people coming out of those institutions, and creating new companies here. I''m pretty active in all of them as a mentor, and I''m at least a frequent visitors to all of the local accelerators. I was just at USC yesterday, and they''re really focused on great things in science in engineering.

Invest 159

Invest Technology Startup Venture Capital 159

Tech Zulu Event

MAY 2, 2011

The ambitiously competitive teams were as follows: The Brownies, with Epic Tunes, an app aimed at live concert goers, to provide information, show reviews, and access to ticket purchases. Entrepreneurship : Through working with their mentors, each team acted as a startup, conducting market research for their pitch presentations.

Technical Review 82

Technical Review Entrepreneur Software Review USC 82

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2015

In my years of mentoring entrepreneurs, a problem I have seen too often is low self-esteem, and over-compensating through arrogance and ego. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify and redirect unhealthy competition and comparisons.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Satisfaction Competition 102

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2019

In my role as a small business consultant and mentor to many entrepreneurs, I recommend the following key considerations for the best strategy to pursue for outside funding, if you choose not to fund the business yourself: Consumer products and trends need market validation. Crowdfunding is not the best platform here.

Funding 119

Funding Startup Platform Examples 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2022

In my years of mentoring entrepreneurs, a problem I have seen too often is low self-esteem, and over-compensating through arrogance and ego. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify and redirect unhealthy competition and comparisons.

Startup 101

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Competition 101

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 23, 2022

In my experience as an advisor and mentor, I have assimilated the following most frequent negative reactions from others to your ideas, with my own suggestions and feedback from other experts on how to counter them, build your credibility, and be more productive: The implementation does not fit the way we do things.

Ideas 116

Ideas Netflix Resource Custom 116

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2014

Of course you need to discount any investor competitive positioning, but local investment group leaders will quickly tell you the strengths and terms of active investors in your area. Do research on investor visibility via Google and social media. The only successful entrepreneur-investor relationships are win-win ones.

Technical Review 103

Technical Review Innocal Offshore Entrepreneur 103

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2019

In my years of mentoring entrepreneurs, a problem I have seen too often is low self-esteem, and over-compensating through arrogance and ego. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify and redirect unhealthy competition and comparisons.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Startup Satisfaction Competition 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 17, 2016

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Shared business support services, including telephone answering, conference rooms, teleconferencing, administrative support, and a business mailing address.

Incubator 106

Incubator Startup Help Resource 106

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 24, 2014

In my years of mentoring entrepreneurs, a problem I have seen too often is low self-esteem, and over-compensating through arrogance and ego. Current research is conclusive that self-esteem is linked to our sense of competence in the areas that are important to us. Identify and redirect unhealthy competition and comparisons.

Startup 91

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Competition 91

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2014

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Shared business support services, including telephone answering, conference rooms, teleconferencing, administrative support, and a business mailing address.

Incubator 98

Incubator Startup Help Resource 98

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 1, 2012

Based on my experience as a mentor and an entrepreneur, if you fail on your first startup, you are about average. There is no substitute for market research, written by domain experts, to supplement your informal poll of friends and family. That’s not bad, but who wants to be average? How can you improve your odds?

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Statistics 109

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2023

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Shared business support services, including telephone answering, conference rooms, teleconferencing, administrative support, and a business mailing address.

Organization 92

Organization Incubator Startup Resource 92

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Access to intellectual property and current research. Other project and research reports in their library are a rich source of new ideas, if you are still looking for a place to start. Access to entrepreneurs-in-residence, business mentors. Visit the university library for access to otherwise costly business reports.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Capital Class Startup 55

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2013

Based on my experience as a mentor and an entrepreneur, if you fail on your first startup, you are about average. There is no substitute for market research, written by domain experts, to supplement your informal poll of friends and family. That’s not bad, but who wants to be average? How can you improve your odds?

Startup 100

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Resource 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2018

I believe their competitive advantage is their top on-site leadership, exclusivity, and connections to investors. Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. Shared business support services, including telephone answering, conference rooms, teleconferencing, administrative support, and a business mailing address.

Incubator 87

Incubator Startup Resource Seed Funding 87

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2022

This is a tough challenge for every coach and mentor. These authors bring a broad range of experience and practice in business leadership, as executives, consultants in the real world, and academic researchers. Embrace the real you as your competitive advantage.

Entrepreneur 90

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Coach Mentor 90

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2018

Even with all my years of experience mentoring in business, I can’t predict how you will prepare for and react to pressure situations. Here are the top approaches I recommend, and the entrepreneur mindsets that I see in survivors: Evaluate new competitive threats as new opportunities.

Startup 82

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Mentor 82

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2017

Yet, in my experience as a mentor to entrepreneurs, the majority of failures I see are related to starting and growing the business, not developing the solution. Don’t assume anything until you have done market research and listened to real customers. Then assume the customers will change over time, so never stop listening.

Ideas 72

Ideas Startup Metrics Entrepreneur 72