Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2018

The market is changing so fast these days, and if you are not planning a solution today for tomorrow’s customers, you may be setting yourself up for failure and don’t even realize it. There are many free generalized tools, including Google Trends , which can be used to track customer behavior in looking for things that don’t exist yet.

Customer 57

Customer Custom Technical Review Software Review 57

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. Test your innovation with at least a hundred customers.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Case Study Writing 145

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. This promotes more psychological safety, better relationships, and allows all to work effectively in uncomfortable situations with customers and peers.

Case Study 112

Case Study Study Startup Examples 112

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2022

If you aren’t yet adapting to the market and your customers, you are falling behind. I define business agility for my consulting clients as the ability to change your business rapidly to meet customer and environmental changes, with minimal organizational disruption and cost. Be proactive rather than reactive to market change.

Competition 148

Competition Metrics Demand Customer 148

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. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with studying and learning from the wisdom and experience of others. I wish it was that easy. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Technology 133

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 133

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

Unfortunately, many of the business professionals I meet these days in my mentoring and consulting activities feel perennially stressed and out of control, versus calm and satisfied with their position. Make every effort to have your mind be totally present for each challenge from a team member or customer.

Demand 103

Demand Activity Email Mentor 103

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2021

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. Studies show that as much as 50-90% of communication is body language. Nominate someone as your mentor. You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. That’s usually the important relationship part.

Entrepreneur 140

Entrepreneur Startup Social Network Mentor 140

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. Even non-profits need income to run a business.

Technical Review 131

Technical Review Case Study Mentor Software Review 131

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.

Outsource 123

Outsource Startup Technical Review Training 123

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2023

We all face pressure in our lives, but there’s nothing like that of an entrepreneur facing customer crises and the competitive challenges of a new business. Humor has been proven to provide numerous business benefits, including customer loyalty, productivity, and reduced absenteeism. Reframe from tension to humor in your approach.

Entrepreneur 82

Entrepreneur Competition Press Commerce 82

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2022

Yet, based on my own years of experience “in the business”, mentoring many entrepreneurs, and following stalwarts like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, even these potentially controversial mindsets ring true to me: All risk isn’t risky. Fire your worst customers. In fact, being odd is quite the norm. A check in hand means nothing.

Entrepreneur 117

Entrepreneur Startup Customer Custom 117

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

MARCH 11, 2020

I was shocked to read an old Gallup study that indicates only 13 percent of employees worldwide are actively engaged at work, and more recent data shows only a small change in the right direction. Good hiring, training, and mentoring are the best motivators. Practice every day what you preach. Start today. Marty Zwilling.

Product 129

Product Examples Mentor Activity 129

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 14, 2022

Yet insiders will tell you that both studied and valued the people interactions of prior leaders, and built very loyal relationships with many people who were key to their success. Don’t wait for the right people in business to find you – developers, investors, partners, or key customers.

Oracle 113

Oracle Entrepreneur Outsource Development Mentor 113

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2020

We all face pressure in our lives, but there’s nothing like that of an entrepreneur facing customer crises and the competitive challenges of a new business. Humor has been proven to provide numerous business benefits, including customer loyalty, productivity, and reduced absenteeism. Reframe from tension to humor in your approach.

Startup 134

Startup Entrepreneur Competition Press 134

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. In fact, you may have noticed in a recent study , that the business CEO turnover rate last year was the highest in 10 years, and may go even higher this year.

Tips 97

Tips Mentor Coach Metrics 97

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2017

He cites several studies, in addition to his own experience, that highlight the following key people drivers to business success: Founders need to be driven by impact rather than money. This is an emerging theme in the past decade as investors learn that customers assign more value and loyalty to business owners who display this attribute.

Technical Review 60

Technical Review Startup Mentor Study 60

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2015

He just completed a study of more than 100 CEOs, with feedback from over 8,000 of their employees on this topic. High scoring leaders seek and positively respond to feedback from three critical groups: peers, customers, and direct reporting team members. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

Mentor 104

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 104

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

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2022

You must take the initiative to talk to customers, suppliers, other employees, and understand the process. Studies show that public peer recognition programs are often more effective than big bonuses or cash rewards. The key here is to adopt a “ proactive personality.”

Framework 127

Framework Organization IBM IBM 127

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2015

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. If you can explain the problem to a mentor, or even write it down, you will more likely get to the root cause quickly, and avoid emotional and blame-infused responses. Explore solutions, outcomes, and options calmly.

Mentor 105

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2020

Yet insiders will tell you that both studied and valued the people interactions of prior leaders, and built very loyal relationships with many people who were key to their success. Don’t wait for the right people in business to find you – developers, investors, partners, or key customers.

Oracle 124

Oracle Entrepreneur Outsource Development Mentor 124

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. Nevertheless, there is nothing wrong with studying and learning from the wisdom and experience of others. I wish it was that easy. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).

Technology 86

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 86

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 29, 2012

Michael Useem of Wharton, in his book, “ The Leader’s Checklist ,” outlines 15 mission-critical leadership principles, and also includes six avenues of learning for new entrepreneurs to activate their leadership skills: Study leadership moments. Solicit coaching and mentoring. Endure extremely stressful leadership moments.

Study 94

Study Startup Activity Mentor 94

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2014

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. If you can explain the problem to a mentor, or even write it down, you will more likely get to the root cause quickly, and avoid emotional and blame-infused responses. Explore solutions, outcomes, and options calmly.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Mentor Technical Review Satisfaction 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2019

Yet, based on my own years of experience “in the business”, mentoring many entrepreneurs, and following stalwarts like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, even these potentially controversial mindsets ring true to me: All risk isn’t risky. Fire your worst customers. In fact, being odd is quite the norm. A check in hand means nothing.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Startup Customer Custom 92

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Based on my own mentoring and investing experience, the best entrepreneurs are pragmatic problem solvers. If you can explain the problem to a mentor, or even write it down, you will more likely get to the root cause quickly, and avoid emotional and blame-infused responses. Explore solutions, outcomes, and options calmly.

Satisfaction 53

Satisfaction Marketing Mentor Entrepreneur 53

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2017

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I often get asked for next sure-fire idea. Studies show that doubling your income increases happiness by less than 10%. They will also amplify your inspiration to your customers, and keep it growing in your own mind. Be inspired by customer value rather than solution features.

Ideas 54

Ideas Study Entrepreneur Customer 54

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans take too much time, are inaccurate, and rarely add value. There is no substitute for knowing your customers first hand, and iterating on a minimum viable product to find the most marketable solution.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 126

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 10, 2015

Does it mean the right thing from a customer perspective, societal impact, maximizing business returns or personal benefit? The good news is that none of these need be mutually exclusive, according to recent studies of market trends. Personally collect and accept customer and employee feedback.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Training Demand Customer 102

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 20, 2016

He has completed a study of more than 100 CEOs, with feedback from over 8,000 of their employees on this topic. High scoring leaders seek and positively respond to feedback from three critical groups: peers, customers, and direct reporting team members. Find and enjoy the company of one or more mentors.

Mentor 55

Mentor Ideas Entrepreneur Study 55

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 26, 2019

In fact, studies have shown that the long-term value of coaching has a return of at least 2x to more than 100x times the cost. You need healthy conflict to get people to face their limitations, and to fully understand customer and operational issues. People often ask me about the difference between coaching and mentoring.

Coach 91

Coach Course Mentor Examples 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2011

Michael Useem of Wharton, in his new book, “ The Leader’s Checklist ,” outlines 15 mission-critical leadership principles, and also includes six avenues of learning for new entrepreneurs to activate their leadership skills: Study leadership moments. Solicit coaching and mentoring. Endure extremely stressful leadership moments.

Activity 94

Activity Study Mentor Coach 94

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 18, 2019

Yet, according to a recent study , more than half of tech employees see their current office culture as toxic. That can’t possibly be healthy for employee morale, productivity, or customer focus. Whether your company is a startup or a mature business, the last thing you need in the office is a toxic work culture.

Technical Review 91

Technical Review Organization Activity .Net 91

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2017

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. Studies show that as much as 50-90% of communication is body language. Nominate someone as your mentor. You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. That’s usually the important relationship part.

Startup 75

Startup Social Network Networking Mentor 75

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 30, 2015

You need to have business relationships with team members, investors, customers, and a myriad of other support people. Studies show that as much as 50-90% of communication is body language. Nominate someone as your mentor. You can’t win as an entrepreneur working alone. That’s usually the important relationship part.

Startup 108

Startup Social Network Mentor Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 22, 2017

In this age of interactive social media, your culture image quickly spreads to customers, and determines their loyalty. Zak is the director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont Graduate University, and he has studied the connection between trust and performance all over the world. So, how do you build trust?

Develop 58

Develop Development Claremont Mentor 58