Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 10, 2010

I believe you can be much more productive, as well as a more effective leader, if you approach most meetings as mentoring opportunities, and limit them to five minutes. With the mentoring approach, the mentee asks for your support in their decision, or asks for your insight on the considerations for them making a future decision.

Mentor 88

Mentor High Tech Coach Guide 88

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 12, 2021

The future of work is definitely changing, accelerated by the current pandemic. Spend more time mentoring and coaching your team. Real mentoring always improves engagement and productivity, because team members know the “why” of their work, and how it benefits them, as well as your customers.

Tips 159

Tips Satisfaction Coach Mentor 159

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 29, 2021

These resources are definitely not limited to students, since every university seeks out and needs the real world exposure and experience of entrepreneurs who already are active in the real world marketplace. Connections to a mentor. For example, I live near the Phoenix, Arizona area, home of Arizona State University.

Incubator 172

Incubator Mentor Class Resource 172

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. Inflexible processes.

Competition 109

Competition Services Custom Customer 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020

In my own business career, many years as a business advisor, and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I have validated the following strategies to practice and guide you. A better definition of a problem always leads to a better solution. If this doesn’t come naturally for you today, I assure you that it can be learned.

Satisfaction 152

Satisfaction Mentor Study Startup 152

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2021

Expand your definition of the problem. The more you understand the scope of a problem, the more likely you are to arrive at the right definition, which will lead to the correct solution. In fact, there are always multiple solutions, so a better definition always leads to a better decision.

Startup 140

Startup Entrepreneur Ideas Coach 140

Berkonomics

MAY 23, 2019

I have a friend in the music business who worked hard to gain introductions to, and become mentored by, several known names in the business. One well known informal mentor called him the “Stevie Wonder of Hip Hop.” A mantra, tag line, motto, or logo with your unique brand definition is a good start. How do you define yourself?

Mentor 120

Mentor Statistics Press Blogging 120

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2019

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 85

Mentor Entrepreneur Technical Review Summary 85

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

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. As you look at your entrepreneur goals, make sure you are following your own definition of success that gives you pride and passion in its pursuit. Fortunately, both can be fixed.

Startup 101

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Competition 101

Tech.Co

JANUARY 29, 2018

The quote “knowledge is power,” often attributed to Francis Bacon from his writings Meditationes Sacrae in 1597, definitely resonates with founders, Most because gaining knowledge about your market, landscape, and competitors, is a key way to gain strength and momentum. Add Mentors to Your Roster. Get Your Playbook Together.

Startup 87

Startup Mentor Artificial Inteligence Research 87

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2023

I’m definitely a proponent of this latter approach. As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often advise them to start with another alternative, of working for an existing startup, before or while starting their own. That’s another variation of a part-time entrepreneur.

Startup 102

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur News 102

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 13, 2021

Many years ago, John Hamm published some definitive work on this subject in " Why Entrepreneurs Don't Scale " in the Harvard Business Review. Thus my best recommendation, if you want to scale and to survive, is to open up and work closely with an “outsider” that you trust, such as a respected board member, a coach, a mentor, or an investor.

Entrepreneur 169

Entrepreneur Startup Coach Mentor 169

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 21, 2021

It will definitely show off your energy and vision, and will make you a more competitive candidate for any role. Also, in most geographies, there are organizations springing up, and university workshops, to mentor people out of work and contemplating a startup. Have startup efforts to highlight in job interviews.

Startup 156

Startup Social Network Activity Ideas 156

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2022

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. By definition, entrepreneurs need to love the art of the start, and that love needs to come across as part of the first impression you deliver to any investor.

Entrepreneur 111

Entrepreneur Social Media Patents Mentor 111

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2022

Set a definite task completion date and a follow-up system. It will inspire loyalty, provide real satisfaction for work done, and become the basis for mentoring and performance reviews. Think back to when you were learning, when you were a neophyte. Establish a specific deadline at the beginning, with milestones.

Startup 121

Startup SEO Social Media Satisfaction 121

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. Take the steps needed to improve your success odds.

Ideas 145

Ideas Startup Case Study Writing 145

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2021

By definition, all of you entrepreneurs are leaders, by taking the initiative to start a new company. That means accepting coaching and seeking mentoring, as well as giving it. Yet I have learned over the years as a startup advisor that all business leaders are not the same. Continually enhance your leadership through feedback.

Coach 162

Coach Startup Resource Competition 162

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2023

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. This association is definitely one of the world’s leading organization for advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

Organization 92

Organization Incubator Startup Resource 92

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2018

One of the lessons I have learned over the years as a business executive, and now as a mentor to entrepreneurs, is that if you really want employees who enthusiastically take ownership of their work, you have to start treating them like owners, not renters. By definition, the freedom box is different for every owner.

Mentor 72

Mentor Coach Startup Activity 72

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Even though I’m a big proponent of becoming an entrepreneur, it is definitely not for everyone. It’s definitely fun to create something from nothing, and to have more control over your own destiny, but only if it works. I find that building a business is more about the right people skills than solution development.

Sample 126

Sample Entrepreneur Ideas Startup 126

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2023

Board seats can’t be negotiated, and even informal mentoring in decision and governance processes is unlikely. By definition, investors from the crowd have less experience and differing motivations from professional investors. Investors cannot verify accountability or governance. Risk is increased.

Equity 80

Equity Platform Statistics Entrepreneur 80

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 16, 2021

In addition to saying yes too often, professionals under pressure often say no poorly, by attacking the requestor or by avoiding any definitive response. A key part of her message that resonated with me, as a mentor to entrepreneurs, is her guidance on how to deal with the constant demands and requests that every business founder faces.

Startup 172

Startup Tool Satisfaction Coach 172

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

NOVEMBER 25, 2020

Board seats can’t be negotiated, and even informal mentoring in decision and governance processes is unlikely. By definition, investors from the crowd have less experience and differing motivations from professional investors. Investors cannot verify accountability or governance. Risk is increased.

Equity 164

Equity Statistics Platform Entrepreneur 164

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

As an angel investor and a mentor to entrepreneurs I still see this every day. Since language and implication have changed a bit since then, I’ll restate Carnegie and Hill’s original principles here, with my own current-day commentary and recommendations added: Definiteness of purpose.

Technical Review 119

Technical Review Ideas Entrepreneur Custom 119

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 12, 2011

I believe you can be much more productive, as well as a more effective leader, if you approach most meetings as mentoring opportunities, and limit them to five minutes. It works, but in all cases, to be a successful mentor, there are some key things you have to do: Be available always. The mentor assumes a role of a facilitator.

Mentor 95

Mentor High Tech Coach Guide 95

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2023

According to most definitions, an entrepreneur is one who envisions a new and different business, meaning one that is not a copy of an existing business model. Many entrepreneurs have a passion and an idea, or even invent a new product, but are never able to execute to the point of creating a startup.

Entrepreneur 108

Entrepreneur Startup Ideas Satisfaction 108

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020

Mentoring and technical assistance from volunteer or paid experts. This association is definitely one of the world’s leading organization for advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. Direct seed funding, for a share of the equity, and introductions to investors.

Resource 159

Resource Startup Incubator Seed Funding 159

Berkonomics

JUNE 22, 2012

I have a friend in the music business who worked hard to gain introductions to, and become mentored by, several known names in the business. One well known informal mentor called him the “Stevie Wonder of Hip Hop.” A mantra, tag line, motto, or logo with your unique brand definition is a good start. How do you define yourself?

Mentor 136

Mentor Statistics Press Entertainment 136

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2018

Expand your definition of the problem. The more you understand the scope of a problem, the more likely you are to arrive at the right definition, which will lead to the correct solution. In fact, there are always multiple solutions, so a better definition always leads to a better decision.

Startup 84

Startup Entrepreneur Ideas Coach 84

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

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

OCTOBER 8, 2016

Expand your definition of the problem. The more you understand the scope of a problem, the more likely you are to arrive at the right definition, which will lead to the correct solution. In fact, there are always multiple solutions, so a better definition always leads to a better decision.

Startup 106

Startup Entrepreneur Ideas Coach 106

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

I’m definitely a proponent of this latter approach. As a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, I often advise them to start with another alternative, of working for an existing startup, before or while starting their own. That’s another variation of a part-time entrepreneur.

Startup 128

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction News 128

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 13, 2020

As a startup mentor, I’m always amazed that some entrepreneurs seem to be an immediate hit with investors, while others struggle to get any attention at all. By definition, entrepreneurs need to love the art of the start, and that love needs to come across as part of the first impression you deliver to any investor.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Social Media Patents Mentor 126

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. As you look at your entrepreneur goals, make sure you are following your own definition of success that gives you pride and passion in its pursuit. Fortunately, both can be fixed.

Entrepreneur 98

Entrepreneur Startup Satisfaction Competition 98