Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2023

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Startup 111

Startup Training Services Writing 111

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 30, 2023

One of the biggest impediments to starting a new venture is the “ terror barrier ,” as popularized by Bob Proctor, a 85-year-old millionaire and world renowned entrepreneur. If you want to be an entrepreneur and start a new business, you must be willing and able to break through your terror barrier. Work on one step at a time.

Satisfaction 124

Satisfaction Startup Entrepreneur Mentor 124

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 7, 2015

According to several reliable reports , job satisfaction for employees is at an all-time low. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. Learn new skills that will make you an expert in that domain, and both satisfaction and wealth will follow.

Satisfaction 57

Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing Startup 57

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 3, 2020

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Startup 174

Startup Training Services Writing 174

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

I always thought that I must be lucky to have found so much excitement and satisfaction from my work, so I never had any really good answers to those of you who second category who wanted to move to the first. Don’t make commitments that have no potential for positive return on your effort, or no potential for learning or satisfaction.

Coach 110

Coach Satisfaction Activity Startup 110

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 3, 2020

According to Gallup surveys , job satisfaction for employees is at an all-time low. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. Learn new skills that will make you an expert in that domain, and both satisfaction and wealth will follow.

Entrepreneur 123

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing Metrics 123

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2021

No matter how smart or experienced this person may otherwise be, things must change or they will kill your startup. Make a concerted effort to wake yourself up to the positives, and re-engage in processes that once excited you. Start a log on your efforts and progress. Therefore, it’s up to you to fix it.

Startup 129

Startup Mentor Satisfaction Writing 129

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 22, 2017

Perhaps sparked by the now forgotten recession, I’m seeing a new era of the entrepreneur, with startups springing up all around. Problems will occur in every startup, simply because you are stepping into uncharted territory. Don’t let it make your startup dysfunctional in resolving future challenges.

Satisfaction 53

Satisfaction Marketing Mentor Entrepreneur 53

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 6, 2023

The challenge is to find the time and initiative to keep up with the information wave, and be able to curate the data into knowledge that must be learned, unlearned, or relearned. With this principle, real entrepreneurs start with a conviction that new learning will reveal flaws in existing models, leading to new opportunities.

Social Media 120

Social Media Startup Entrepreneur Education 120

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 6, 2016

In 2006 I started using Facebook and most of my friends & colleagues thought I was strange. In 2007 I started using Twitter and most of my friends & colleagues wondered why people would care what I ate for lunch. In 2008 I started VC blogging. In 2011 I started using Instagram. Right now it’s my favorite network.

Snapchat 150

Snapchat Product Startup AMA 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 2, 2015

By definition, every startup is predictably unpredictable, since new solutions have no proven track record, startups are usually building a new market, and the world around them is changing faster than ever. The market changes faster than your startup. The money runs out before revenues start.

Startup 105

Startup Entrepreneur Marketing Satisfaction 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2018

Before you start down the long hard road of an entrepreneur, it pays to look inside yourself to see what you love to do, and what would fit your definition of success. Others dream of being a billionaire, or proving that they can satisfy a need by starting and growing a business. Start networking to pull together a complementary team.

Startup 94

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Ideas 94

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

As Yogi Berra once said, “If you don't know where you're going, you'll end up someplace else.” Without a measurable objective, you will be constantly frustrated by not seeing progress, and you will never feel success satisfaction. Stop talking and writing, and start executing the plan. So don’t give up your dreams.

Writing 139

Writing Startup Summary Activity 139

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

As a long-time mentor to new entrepreneurs and business owners, I have noticed that many no longer associate more fulfillment and satisfaction with more money, power, and success. Before you start your business, think hard about your vision for fulfillment, and write it down. Don’t wait for a crisis to decide what is important.

Satisfaction 173

Satisfaction Mentor Coach Entrepreneur 173

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 27, 2016

The startup lifestyle is known to be stressful and challenging, but it’s also meant to be satisfying and fulfilling, with you as the entrepreneur in control of your own destiny. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way, based on my many years of experience with entrepreneurs and advising startups.

Satisfaction 71

Satisfaction Startup Entrepreneur Writing 71

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

Start by giving yourself a dose of self-compassion for what you also are going through before you turn your attention to a colleague. Write down your key goals and refer to this list before any interaction with your colleague. Start by coming up with two or three ideas you want to test out on a difficult colleague.

Startup 114

Startup Examples Satisfaction Mentor 114

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2016

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Services 61

Services Startup Training Writing 61

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 14, 2023

Finding your sweet spot as an entrepreneur needs to start with a meaningful personal purpose that is also a business opportunity. Both ends of this spectrum fail to bring long-term satisfaction or success. Write it down, make it specific, expressive, yet succinct and jargon-free. Then take ownership and make it happen.

Framework 95

Framework Custom Customer Tips 95

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 2, 2013

One of the biggest impediments to starting a new venture is the “terror barrier,” as popularized by Bob Proctor , a 75-year-old millionaire and world renowned entrepreneur. If you want to be an entrepreneur and start a new business, you must be willing and able to break through your terror barrier. Work on one step at a time.

Startup 96

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Mentor 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 5, 2020

As an advisor to entrepreneurs, I find that I often have to remind them that the world of customers has changed since they started their last business. Start with employees and executives who are willing to really listen to customers, and make them do it regularly. Regularly ask your customers what they think and why.

Customer 133

Customer Custom Social Media Startup 133

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Hiring in any new venture needs to be a structured and high priority task, not the ad hoc informal process I see in many startups that are struggling to grow: Crisis mode hiring rather than planned team growth. I’m not suggesting executive search firms for every startup position, but national recruiting organizations will get better results.

Organization 104

Organization Entrepreneur Satisfaction Screening 104

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 11, 2021

Without precise goals, you can’t measure progress, and you miss the real satisfaction of knowing when to declare success. Write it down. On the other hand, most people don’t hesitate to write down excuses. Pick a reasonable time period and write down the date when you want to achieve it. It is vague and insubstantial.

Writing 121

Writing Organization Satisfaction Entrepreneur 121

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 10, 2013

No matter how smart or experienced this person may otherwise be, things must change or they will kill your startup. Make a concerted effort to wake yourself up to the positives, and re-engage in processes that once excited you. Start a log on your efforts and progress. Therefore, it’s up to you to fix it. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 101

Startup Mentor Satisfaction Writing 101

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 6, 2020

The challenge is to find the time and initiative to keep up with the information wave, and be able to curate the data into knowledge that must be learned, unlearned, or relearned. With this principle, real entrepreneurs start with a conviction that new learning will reveal flaws in existing models, leading to new opportunities.

Social Media 127

Social Media Startup Education Entrepreneur 127

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 10, 2017

No matter how smart or experienced this person may otherwise be, things must change or they will kill your startup. Make a concerted effort to wake yourself up to the positives, and re-engage in processes that once excited you. Start a log on your efforts and progress. Therefore, it’s up to you to fix it.

Startup 61

Startup Product Mentor Satisfaction 61

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 21, 2020

Finding your sweet spot as an entrepreneur needs to start with a meaningful personal purpose that is also a business opportunity. Both ends of this spectrum fail to bring long-term satisfaction or success. Write it down, make it specific, expressive, yet succinct and jargon-free. Then take ownership and make it happen.

Tips 174

Tips Framework Custom Customer 174

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 8, 2017

Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. Most startups can’t afford that. We both have the same vision.” Marty Zwilling.

Startup 59

Startup Satisfaction Entrepreneur Writing 59

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 12, 2013

Most entrepreneurs who start a company alone soon come to the conclusion that two heads are better than one – someone to share the workload, the hard decisions, and the costs. This would be a mistake, and could easily cost you your startup. Most startups can’t afford that. We both have the same vision.” Marty Zwilling.

Startup 96

Startup Entrepreneur Satisfaction Writing 96

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 1, 2020

You’ve probably already made your resolutions for 2020, but if not, I suggest a renewed commitment to finding happiness and satisfaction in your chosen business lifestyle. The right reason to start a business is not the money, challenge, or the prestige, but the chance to follow your dream. Keep track of your wins.

Entrepreneur 137

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Mentor Writing 137

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 4, 2020

It’s no wonder that 45 percent of startups fail in the first five years, and an even smaller percentage ever see a return for their years of effort. I’m not suggesting executive search firms for every startup position, but national recruiting organizations will get better results. Don’t bother with previous employment follow-ups.

Organization 135

Organization Entrepreneur Satisfaction Screening 135

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2014

The real entrepreneurs I know are good at overcoming both people problems and business obstacles, and get satisfaction from the challenge. Put the decision in writing to prevent ambiguity. This reaffirms your commitment to the process, their satisfaction, and avoids any secondary problems. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 101

Startup Satisfaction Training Entrepreneur 101

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 15, 2018

One of the biggest impediments to starting a new venture is the “ terror barrier ,” as popularized by Bob Proctor, a 75-year-old millionaire and world renowned entrepreneur. If you want to be an entrepreneur and start a new business, you must be willing and able to break through your terror barrier. Work on one step at a time.

Satisfaction 94

Satisfaction Startup Entrepreneur Help 94

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 9, 2012

Even if you fail to achieve your financial goals, at least you will have the satisfaction of doing something you enjoy and you will never have to ask yourself, " What If? " Friendly constituents will not sustain your startup. To such enterprising souls, the inherent ambiguity of a startup is thrilling, rather than daunting.

Tips 277

Tips Startup Entrepreneur Entertainment 277

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2018

The critical success factors for a product business are well known, starting with selling every unit with a gross margin of 50 percent or more, building a patent and other intellectual property, and continuous product improvement. Start with a service you know and love. Capture your “secret sauce.”

Services 72

Services Startup Training Writing 72

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. Technology experts tend to have a very deep level of knowledge, but not very wide.

Entrepreneur 70

Entrepreneur Startup Activity Ideas 70

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 31, 2014

According to several recent reports , job satisfaction for employees is at an all-time low. As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I’m often asked what it takes to switch and get real satisfaction from this lifestyle. Learn new skills that will make you an expert in that domain, and both satisfaction and wealth will follow.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Satisfaction Startup Writing 100

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2019

No matter how smart or experienced this person may otherwise be, things must change or they will kill your startup. Make a concerted effort to wake yourself up to the positives, and re-engage in processes that once excited you. Start a log on your efforts and progress. Therefore, it’s up to you to fix it.

Startup 82

Startup Mentor Satisfaction Writing 82