Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2015

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks.

Ideas 104

Ideas Mentor Resource Entrepreneur 104

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2021

In my role as advisor and mentor to many new entrepreneurs, I often find myself suggesting that they think bigger. Ideas to improve the usability of an existing product, or ways to extend its audience, are not likely to be unique to you, and difficult to win over competitors. Marketing should begin even at the idea stage.

Startup 162

Startup Metrics Ideas Entrepreneur 162

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 22, 2014

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks.

Ideas 107

Ideas Mentor Entrepreneur Resource 107

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 16, 2020

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Here are five key ones to celebrate: Enjoy the feedback from every satisfied customer.

Satisfaction 174

Satisfaction Customer Custom Outsource 174

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2020

In my experience as a business mentor, one of the biggest challenges I see is a failure to focus. Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have new ideas on a regular basis, and find it hard deciding which to pursue, or try to tackle several at the same time. Demonstrate real knowledge of your market and competitors.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Startup Patents Resource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 27, 2022

One way to do this is to nurture mentoring relationships with experts in other disciplines, as Bill Gates did with Warren Buffet. For example, Elon Musk, who owns many battery patents , normally kept for a competitive edge, decided to open them all to any competitors in an effort to expand the market for his electric vehicles.

Competition 139

Competition Examples Customer Custom 139

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 27, 2023

Most universities have a file of patents from project work that they are willing to license to any entrepreneur for business commercialization, with little or no cost up front. 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.

Entrepreneur 110

Entrepreneur Class Startup Resource 110

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

As a new business advisor and occasional investor, I get approached regularly by people who have a dream or a new business idea, and are looking for support and money to make it a reality. Thus, I’m more impressed with entrepreneurs who ask me to review their implementation plan, rather than listen again to their idea.

Ideas 94

Ideas Slides Technical Review Patents 94

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2020

As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m always surprised by the fact that some never seem to be able to that first startup going, while many others never seem to stop, starting their second or third initiative before the first one is fully hatched. Incent and reward new ideas with action, not more study.

Entrepreneur 131

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Software Review 131

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. Also evaluate the values of desired customers. Do you have the resources to build a business?

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. The patent process is far from perfect, but it’s a huge step ahead of no proprietary content. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Manage your time.

Mentor 100

Mentor Startup Social Network Patents 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2020

Most universities have a file of patents from project work that they are willing to license to any entrepreneur for business commercialization, with little or no cost up front. 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.

Class 124

Class Startup Resource Mentor 124

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 10, 2021

It can come from experience, or from training in a prior company, and it can even be self-taught from the Internet by smart entrepreneurs, just like they learned the skill of establishing a company, negotiating a contract, or filing a patent. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members.

Startup 171

Startup Organization Training Entrepreneur 171

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2017

As a business mentor, I sometimes feel besieged by people begging for my view and support of their latest idea. In reality, I like most ideas, but I have to tell them that the real challenge is taking the inspiration from a dream to a business reality. File at least a provisional patent and one or more trademarks.

Ideas 56

Ideas Mentor Resource Product 56

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2012

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Patents Startup Ideas 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 16, 2015

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Here are five key ones to celebrate: Enjoy the feedback from every satisfied customer.

Satisfaction 101

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Customer Custom 101

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2015

A few years ago, before the Internet was pervasive, before everyone carried a smartphone and before do-it-yourself software tools were available for free, it was difficult to reach a critical mass of new customers without spending a million dollars on a website, custom software and television advertising.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Social Media Outsource Development 108

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 18, 2013

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person.

Startup 100

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 100

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2017

Don’t believe that Silicon Valley myth that all you have to do is sketch your idea on the back of a napkin, and investors will line up to give you money. Based on my experience as an angel investor and a mentor to dozens of entrepreneurs, having no business plan is the quickest way to define yourself as just a dreamer, or at best a hobbyist.

Startup 65

Startup Writing Patents Competition 65

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2016

That’s why all those so-called million dollar ideas I hear about as an investor don’t get me excited, and entrepreneurs find that working twenty hours a day often generates nothing more than sweat, instead of the desired sweat equity. Here are five key ones to celebrate: Enjoy the feedback from every satisfied customer.

Satisfaction 61

Satisfaction Startup Customer Custom 61

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 1, 2016

Most universities have a file of patents from project work that they are willing to license to any entrepreneur for business commercialization, with little or no cost up front. 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.

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. They count on learning from their mistakes, and use the experience to move to the next idea. You may have the solution to the world hunger problem, but if your customers have no money, your business won’t last long.

Startup 100

Startup Ideas Entrepreneur Resource 100

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2010

Aspiring entrepreneurs ask me why their great idea hasn’t sold; they talk about it endlessly, and they expect others to do the development, finance, and marketing work for them. There is nothing more inspiring than seeing the results of your mentoring and leadership. Truly satisfied customers are a joy to every business person.

Startup 88

Startup Patents Competition Social Network 88

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. They count on learning from their mistakes, and use the experience to move to the next idea. You may have the solution to the world hunger problem, but if your customers have no money, your business won’t last long.

Entrepreneur 109

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Statistics 109

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 11, 2011

8 patents pending, and world programming finalist. There will be technical and product mentors there to help. Technical and product mentors are provided roaming across the entire place. Co-creator of the Lotus Share platform, which powers the new Lotus Connections Files and Wikis components at IBM. Sunday August 14th 9am-5pm.

Santa Monica 72

Santa Monica Yammer Geni Southern California 72

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2013

Dean Kamen, while still struggling with the Segway Human Transporter, holds 440 other device patents. Howard Schultz, who grew Starbucks to 13,000 stores by 2008, decided to step back in as CEO when the economy was killing his stores, and refocus everyone on the customer. Good ideas can come from anyone at any time.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Ideas 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2012

Dean Kamen, while still struggling with the Segway Human Transporter, holds 440 other device patents. Howard Schultz, who grew Starbucks to 13,000 stores by 2008, decided to step back in as CEO when the economy was killing his stores, and refocus everyone on the customer. Good ideas can come from anyone at any time.

Startup 104

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Ideas 104

Jason Nazar

MAY 2, 2016

Ideation & Protecting Ideas. If you are inventing or creating a product, understand patents and register for one at the USPTO. Vet your idea with the idea checklist. Protect your ideas when sharing them with others by using an NDA. Business Mentors. Leverage current customers with email marketing.

Outsource Development 40

Outsource Development Startup Google Mentor 40

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2016

Founders generally need more focus on the market sizing, volume projections, cost details and margin expectations to balance the optimism of their passion for the idea. Patents issued to you before you incorporate the business will not be considered part of the business valuation by investors.

Company 61

Company Companies Startup Equity 61

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

Dean Kamen, while still struggling with the Segway Human Transporter, holds 440 other device patents. Howard Schultz, who grew Starbucks to 13,000 stores by 2008, decided to step back in as CEO when the economy was killing his stores, and refocus everyone on the customer. Good ideas can come from anyone at any time.

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2012

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. The patent process is far from perfect, but it’s a huge step ahead of no proprietary content. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Manage your time.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Social Network Startup Patents 98

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2013

It can come from experience, or from training in a prior company, and it can even be self-taught from the Internet by smart entrepreneurs, just like they learned the skill of establishing a company, negotiating a contract, or filing a patent. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members.

Startup 109

Startup Entrepreneur Organization Training 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. The patent process is far from perfect, but it’s a huge step ahead of no proprietary content. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Manage your time.

Tips 102

Tips Help Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 17, 2012

It can come from experience, or from training in a prior company, and it can even be self-taught from the Internet by smart entrepreneurs, just like they learned the skill of establishing a company, negotiating a contract, or filing a patent. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Organization Training 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 22, 2011

It can come from experience, or from training in a prior company, and it can even be self-taught from the Internet by smart entrepreneurs, just like they learned the skill of establishing a company, negotiating a contract, or filing a patent. It means mentoring less experienced team members, and quickly replacing incompetent staff members.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Startup Organization Training 111

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 29, 2010

Every startup mentor has his favorite list of basic strategies to avoid pitfalls, and I’m no exception. The patent process is far from perfect, but it’s a huge step ahead of no proprietary content. In business, “most important” means time to market, customer service, low cost, and beating your competitors. Manage your time.

Guide 92

Guide Startup Social Network Patents 92

Tech Zulu Event

JANUARY 20, 2012

In college at the California Institute of Technology, he patented a new loudspeaker design and formed GNP Loudspeakers, Inc. Alex previously helped lead the Proto Group at Idealab, working to determine the feasibility of new business ideas. A lifelong entrepreneur, Bill started several companies prior to Idealab.

Idealab 84

Idealab Tech Coast Angels CalTech Startup 84