Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2020

As an angel investor and a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always disappointed to see founders who seem stressed out most of the time, and more annoyed than energized by the abundance of challenges they see in building their startup. Don’t demand or expect immediate gratification.

Startup 171

Startup Entrepreneur Activity Ideas 171

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Yet I find in my mentoring practice that more and more team members prefer the human-centered approach and respond with more engagement and commitment. Wisdom helps everyone tackle the challenges in business and in life, helping us to understand our limitations, strengths, and weaknesses and make better choices.

Case Study 112

Case Study Study Startup Examples 112

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2022

Thus, over the years of my mentoring and consulting efforts with entrepreneurs, I have a key list of practices that I recommend to everyone starting and growing a business. You may think it’s great that demand exceeds your supply chain, but customers only remember it as a loss of your credibility, and will tell others.

Startup 134

Startup Training Tool Demand 134

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Many entrepreneurs I have mentored make big mistakes in this area, by hiring low-cost friends and family, with minimal skills or training, and expecting them to have the same work ethic , passion, and business knowledge as the founder. Direct customer-facing non-technical roles should be the last ones outsourced. with experience.

Outsource 123

Outsource Startup Technical Review Training 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2022

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. The next phase of evolution will demand device independence, enabling an uninterrupted computing experience as we move from device to device throughout our daily lives.

Technology 133

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 133

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2020

You need a faster and more flexible on-demand hiring strategy, based on the current gig-economy of remote freelancers, contract personnel, and specialists. Freelancers and consultants have to demonstrate results, without training and mentoring, so they can help you more quickly and probably at a lower total cost.

Competition 168

Competition Startup Demand Training 168

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 12, 2023

As an angel investor and a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always disappointed to see founders who seem stressed out most of the time, and more annoyed than energized by the abundance of challenges they see in building their startup. Don’t demand or expect immediate gratification.

Entrepreneur 70

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 70

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2023

These haven’t changed much over the years, but still seem to be often overlooked by business professionals and leaders in their haste to keep up with peers, competitors, and customers in today’s volatile environment. Timely follow-up on customer and team member requests. Loners need not apply. Find what works for you.

Startup 121

Startup Satisfaction Technical Review Ideas 121

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. Look for validation from your mainstream customers. Needed help can be your biggest burden.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

socalTECH

APRIL 13, 2021

Those are faculty members who have a commercialization idea and want help with that. What we do, is regional customer discovery for teams, typically academic. We teach them how to determine their value proposition, how to identify and detail their customer targets. What have you found there?

Marina Del Rey 150

Marina Del Rey Startup USC Incubator 150

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 17, 2023

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). It’s time to scale up and I need money to keep up with demand.” Angel investors probably will know your business, and want to be mentors along the way.

Funding 125

Funding Startup Ideas Equity 125

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2023

These leaders not only recognize team members who have high potential, but they willingly and selflessly customize their coaching to what these special protégés really need. They mentor protégés on talent spotting, creativity, and motivation as well as strategy. Good connections and team building are the keys to success.

Oracle 94

Oracle Organization Examples Coach 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2021

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. There are lots of resources available for that question, including the Internet and mentors like me. Ask some potential customers to see if there is real interest, and start thinking about price versus cost.

Ideas 136

Ideas Entrepreneur Mentor Resource 136

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 30, 2022

I believe these same mindsets are equally applicable to the entrepreneurs I mentor, and all of you small business leaders, so I offer you my summary of the authors’ conclusions, paraphrased here, with my own insights: Be bold in vision, strategy, and resource allocation. Tap the wisdom of elders and the Board to help the business.

Template 109

Template Demand Social Media Summary 109

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. My simple answer is that they keep their focus on customers, rather than technology. Jeff Bezos has kept his focus on customers.

Marketing 123

Marketing Technical Review Customer Custom 123

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 25, 2022

You need to take responsibility for selling your value to the right people, as well as building relationships with leaders who can help you. Don’t be hesitant to use coaches, mentors, and other resources to test and improve your image by others, and your perceptions of business realities and biases.

Startup 122

Startup Satisfaction Summary Coach 122

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2022

This is a tough challenge for every coach and mentor. The support currently provided by product service can become inadequate to satisfy new customers, as your growth and image becomes better known. Form collaborative relationships to help and support you. Engage others in inspiring a bold vision of change.

Entrepreneur 90

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Coach Mentor 90

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 2, 2019

In this era of rapid change, you can’t afford to stop learning, or you will find that your competitors, your customers, and your team, may soon be following someone else. Most people agree that leadership is primarily a set of behaviors that capitalize on relationships and a current market and customer understanding in a complex world.

Tips 97

Tips Mentor Coach Metrics 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 22, 2020

On the other hand, if you are a new entrepreneur, still in the idea stage, professional investors will only tell you to come back later when you have traction (customers and revenue). It’s time to scale up and I need money to keep up with demand.” Angel investors probably will know your business, and want to be mentors along the way.

Startup 148

Startup Ideas Equity Invest 148

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2015

Through interviews, Kiel identified eight common traits and habits exhibited by all the CEOs with a top character ranking (deemed virtuoso CEOs – masters of the skills and art of leadership): Displayed and demanded high moral principles. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

Mentor 104

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 104

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2018

As an angel investor and a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always disappointed to see founders who seem stressed out most of the time, and more annoyed than energized by the abundance of challenges they see in building their startup. Don’t demand or expect immediate gratification.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2020

In the short term you need customers to find you at any price, and in the longer term you need revenue, profit, and return loyalty. Although his focus is naturally on bigger companies, I contend that his recommended strategies apply equally well to entrepreneurs and startups: Demand a mindset of deep thinking for the long term.

Technical Review 124

Technical Review Layoffs Social Media Metrics 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 4, 2020

These leaders not only recognize team members who have high potential, but they willingly and selflessly customize their coaching to what these special protégés really need. They mentor protégés on talent spotting, creativity, and motivation as well as strategy. Good connections and team building are the keys to success.

Oracle 124

Oracle Organization Examples Coach 124

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

He had an idea for a startup that would help consumers better book service jobs and would take on Service Magic, which he believed had a business model that could be disrupted. I acted as the occasional mentor, advisor and coach to Ethan. When Ethan was considering leaving Google we talked about it. The company was called Red Beacon.

CTO Coach 359

CTO Coach Google CTO Hire Yammer 359

InfoChachkie

APRIL 28, 2016

As noted in You're Never Too Old (Or Too Successful) For A Mentor , Bob is my mentor and friend. Demand Customer Centricity. Bob successfully managed his constituents by never forgetting that his ultimate “customers” were the students he was serving. Be Of Service. Successful leaders do not give orders.

Santa Barbara 100

Santa Barbara Mentor Education Demand 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2019

They need to know that helping is appreciated and beneficial to their career and performance feedback. You need healthy conflict to get people to face their limitations, and to fully understand customer and operational issues. They need to possess uncommon empathy and compassion for others, in order to really help them.

Coach 91

Coach Course Mentor Examples 91

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2019

A common request I get while mentoring entrepreneurs is for a copy of the startup checklist they need to follow, in order to build a successful new business. The next phase of evolution will demand device independence, enabling an uninterrupted computing experience as we move from device to device throughout our daily lives.

Technology 86

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 86

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

In my business of mentoring new entrepreneurs and advising small company owners, I recognize that most don’t start as experienced leaders, and most don’t realize that people leadership is a primary key to their future success. Building a business is not a one-person job, and leading by edict rarely works today.

Develop 124

Develop Development Technical Advisors Satisfaction 124

socalTECH

DECEMBER 10, 2010

We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. Helping entrepreneurs succeed. Rely on Vistage to Help Them Grow. you had a personal board of advisors to help? CEOs and business owners rely on Vistage to help grow their business, seize. Technology.

SoCalTech 127

SoCalTech Advertising Rustic Canyon Glendale 127

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2016

Through interviews, Kiel identified eight common traits and habits exhibited by all the CEOs with a top character ranking (deemed virtuoso CEOs – masters of the skills and art of leadership): Displayed and demanded high moral principles. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

Mentor 55

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 55

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

The number is much higher for those who choose to go it alone, without help. There are lots of resources available for the challenge of that activity, including the Internet and mentors like me. In my experience, the key steps I look for always include the following: Testing the idea against customers who have money to spend.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2014

As an angel investor and a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always disappointed to see founders who seem stressed out most of the time, and more annoyed than energized by the abundance of challenges they see in building their startup. Don’t demand or expect immediate gratification.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 110

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 10, 2018

Most entrepreneurs see their new venture as a fun adventure, until the pressures of a cash flow crisis, or a manufacturing quality problem, or a major customer satisfaction problem hits. Even with all my years of experience mentoring in business, I can’t predict how you will prepare for and react to pressure situations.

Startup 82

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Mentor 82

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 10, 2015

The good and the bad news is that as an entrepreneur, you won’t have a manager charged with directing your efforts or peers helping you implement, and your new team will be quick to tell you only what you want to hear. Customers and outside business partners also respond to this vibe and give you the respect and trust you need to keep going.

Startup 108

Startup Entrepreneur Mentor News 108

socalTECH

OCTOBER 30, 2009

Helping entrepreneurs succeed. We Create Demand for California's Technology Companies. Custom Insurance Programs for Technology Companies. Cadence, Intel, IBM, Freescale, Mentor Graphics, Synopsys, LSI, X-Fab, and many other leading-edge. Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com). The City of Glendale (www.thinkglendale.com).

Southern California 140

Southern California IP Orange County Glendale 140

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 24, 2012

Even without B-Corp status, entrepreneurs are speaking out more on the positives to support business models that benefit not just shareholders, but customers, workforce, the environment, and the greater community. Social responsibility opens the door to a broader customer base. Doing business is a human process.

Startup 100

Startup Organization Customer Custom 100

socalTECH

APRIL 10, 2012

They sat down, told them how they know how to build businesses and grow them, and that they think they could help. Those mentors and others have given us really tangible advice. That's just an example I pulled out of the air, but we think we'll be more responsive to our customers than a traditional airline.

Startup 240

Startup Mentor Technical Review Santa Barbara 240