Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2020

As an entrepreneur advisor, I am surprised at how often I hear the same or very similar proposals of an incremental innovation to an existing process, versus a really new or breakthrough solution. That integration is the breakthrough that you should be looking for as an entrepreneur. Be forever curious and optimistic.

Startup 134

Startup Artificial Inteligence Ideas Entrepreneur 134

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2020

One of the biggest myths I have found in the entrepreneur community is that every startup needs one or more outside investors for credibility and success, and perhaps is even entitled to at least one. Searching LinkedIn, for example, is a must for contemporary entrepreneurs. But don’t wait for them to contact you.

Funding 173

Funding Tips Startup Statistics 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2021

For example, a couple of years ago, Starbucks' chief executive officer, Kevin R. I often think of the scope of this example in my role as mentor to a struggling entrepreneur who is quick to blame his problems on employee mistakes, or even changing customer expectations.

Training 173

Training Examples Startup Social Media 173

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 5, 2014

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cashflow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing.

Entrepreneur 105

Entrepreneur Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done. These days, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs.

Email 96

Email Activity Product Social Media 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

Every business leader I know is overloaded with data these days, with a wealth of new business tools, social media channels, and countless emails and text messages. For example, just think of the data generated and captured for every online customer purchase transaction on the Internet.

Framework 119

Framework Artificial Inteligence Social Media Media 119

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 23, 2022

Many of you business leaders I work with, and entrepreneurs I mentor, have a great strategy and an innovative solution , but struggle with building and motivating the team necessary to run your business. Spend time coaching and mentoring team members. In my experience, what a team needs more is your connection and inspiration.

Mentor 108

Mentor Social Media Coach Customer 108

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

Every entrepreneur and business leader I know realizes that it takes a dedicated team to build and run a successful business, and nurturing that team is one of your most important priorities. The recent pandemic and remote team members have made the focus on social even more critical. Spiritual connections. Intellectual stimulation.

Technical Review 141

Technical Review Mentor Social Media Customer 141

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2022

Almost every entrepreneur needs to improve their skills in this area, so I did some research on the basics. For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. Finally, every entrepreneur needs to set aside their fear of delegating. Listen and observe.

Startup 121

Startup SEO Social Media Satisfaction 121

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 19, 2020

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing.

Search Engine Optimization 124

Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media Equity 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 25, 2020

Every entrepreneur and most professionals wish there were more hours in a day to get their work done. These holidays, with all the new technology, including smartphones and social media, many are convinced that multi-tasking is the answer. I concur, based on my own extended career in business and mentoring entrepreneurs.

Email 170

Email Activity Social Media Coach 170

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 12, 2022

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. People don’t spend that much time on facts.

Startup 117

Startup Social Media Guide Content 117

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2015

Almost every entrepreneur needs to improve their skills in this area, so I did some research on the basics. For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. Finally, every entrepreneur needs to set aside their fear of delegating. Listen and observe.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Startup SEO Social Media 100

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

That’s why I caution my aspiring entrepreneur clients against proclaiming to investors that they are a great “idea” person. For example, I have a friend with a Ph.D. For example, I often cite the case of Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer , who grew Microsoft together. Don’t assume you can outsource the implementation decisions.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2023

For example, it has long been widely accepted that one of the primary causes for entrepreneur failure in new startups is that many give up too soon. Inside the organization, it also pays to offer some of your time for coaching and mentoring to less experienced team members, as an entrée to a supportive relationship.

Startup 121

Startup Satisfaction Technical Review Ideas 121

SoCal CTO

NOVEMBER 10, 2009

He has a really interesting background as a product manager and now an entrepreneur. On the one hand, an entrepreneur should not be overly paranoid and should know the ropes that VCs and other professional investors generally will not sign NDAs to see the concept or a prototype--and even if they did, it would not provide much protection.

Product 150

Product Entrepreneur Social Media Google 150

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 9, 2021

If you are a new business owner or entrepreneur, you are likely to be creative and willing to take a risk , and you probably assume that most potential team members have the same mindset. Look for accomplishments in prior roles, and a willingness to accept coaching and mentoring.

Coach 174

Coach Activity Customer Custom 174

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 27, 2020

For some reason, too many aspiring entrepreneurs I know seem to focus on “actions” rather than “results.” These are not the entrepreneurs that I want to support, since I’m well aware that running a startup is far more complex, albeit more satisfying, than most conventional roles in established enterprises.

Product 123

Product Startup Tips Entrepreneur 123

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2020

For example, Lyft and Uber were able to capitalize on the current ride-sharing trend worldwide by tracking statistics that indicated reduced interest in car ownership by millennials, lack of parking spaces, and auto ownership costs moving up rapidly. Spend more time outside the business, looking for trends.

Startup 124

Startup Customer Custom Statistics 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. His checklists cover everything from building a vision, to consistently delivering results, for entrepreneurs up to mature business executives. Social Media.

Technology 86

Technology Cloud Computing Social Media Networking 86

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.

Template 109

Template Demand Social Media Summary 109

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

Almost every entrepreneur needs to improve their skills in this area, so I did some research in the basic principles. For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. Finally, every entrepreneur needs to set aside their fear of delegating.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Product Startup SEO 96

From the Venture Trenches

APRIL 30, 2013

The value that is being “added” is often at arms length or via a specialist who interacts with the entrepreneur. Amplify Mentor Panel in full swing. Amplify’s close mentoring is by design. But like a Darwinian experiment, the extent to which these gifts are utilized remains entirely up to each individual entrepreneur.

Web Design 103

Web Design Social Media Seed Funding Design 103

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 29, 2018

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing.

Startup 89

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 89

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 2, 2019

Most of you aspiring entrepreneurs have no idea how dramatically your own role has to evolve as you develop a solution, start a business, and expect it to scale into a successful self-managed company. At this stage, I typically find a solo entrepreneur who creates, manages projects, directs, and oversees every step in the process.

Company 99

Company Companies Technical Review Startup 99

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 28, 2015

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. His checklists cover everything from building a vision, to consistently delivering results, for entrepreneurs up to mature business executives. Social Media.

Startup 107

Startup Cloud Computing Social Media Entrepreneur 107

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 18, 2019

Almost every entrepreneur needs to improve their skills in this area, so I did some research on the basics. For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. Finally, every entrepreneur needs to set aside their fear of delegating. Listen and observe.

Startup 96

Startup SEO Social Media Satisfaction 96

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2019

In my role as a mentor to entrepreneurs and an angel investor, I find that too many are stuck in this myth that a good pitch, and good marketing content, should consist of more product features, and more hype on customer benefits. People don’t spend that much time on facts.

Startup 102

Startup Customer Custom Social Media 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Desperate entrepreneurs lose their leverage and die young. As a mentor to many entrepreneurs and startups, here are my best recommendations for keeping the burn rate low, planning ahead and maintaining credibility with investors: Manage cash flow personally every day. Use social media for early marketing.

Startup 108

Startup Search Engine Optimization Outsource Development Social Media 108

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 2, 2014

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. His checklists cover everything from building a vision, to consistently delivering results, for entrepreneurs up to mature business executives. Social Media.

Cloud Computing 99

Cloud Computing Social Media Entrepreneur Networking 99

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 18, 2017

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. His checklists cover everything from building a vision, to consistently delivering results, for entrepreneurs up to mature business executives. Social Media.

Cloud Computing 61

Cloud Computing Startup Social Media Networking 61

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 17, 2017

People follow influencers on social media to find what they buy, who they vote for, and which social causes they support. They flocked to businesses like Apple, when influencer Steve Jobs was at the helm, and anxiously await the next moves from visible entrepreneurs, including Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

Social Media 58

Social Media Customer Custom Entrepreneur 58

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 8, 2018

As a long-time advisor to entrepreneurs and business owners, I rarely find someone who doesn’t proclaim that the business world is changing rapidly, with new technology, new customer expectations, and new cultures. Make sure your channels are open and responsive, through social media, websites, and easy access to executives.

Technical Review 84

Technical Review Customer Custom Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 20, 2018

Every business executive and entrepreneur I know believes they are good or even great leaders, but as an advisor I often hear a different story from their team. This may seem counter-intuitive to many managers who fear losing their best employees, since managers never seem to have time to focus on recruiting and mentoring new talent.

Mentor 52

Mentor IBM IBM Examples 52

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2010

Almost every entrepreneur needs to improve their skills in this area, so I did some research in the basic principles. For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. Tags: entrepreneur startup delegate authority business. Listen and observe.

Entrepreneur 52

Entrepreneur Startup SEO Social Media 52

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 3, 2013

Almost every entrepreneur needs to improve their skills in this area, so I did some research on the basics. For example, non-computer types should consider delegating their social media, website, and SEO activities. Finally, every entrepreneur needs to set aside their fear of delegating. Listen and observe.

Startup 95

Startup SEO Social Media Entrepreneur 95

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

After all, I am no stranger to the publicly expressing the frustrations of dealing with the downside of this industry as I wrote about in 2006 when I was an entrepreneur. Take for example Accel. The best VCs don’t try to help entrepreneurs. I read Andy’s post with a knowing smile on my face. But VC is like congress.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374