Posts Tagged ‘Relationships’
Understanding Uncertainty is Vital to an Entrepreneur
Pop quiz: what relationship factor is the single most common trait in the successful entrepreneur? My answer: understanding uncertainty. Living with uncertainty Why? First let me say that I’m not sure. Second, that I might change my mind tomorrow. (Irony intended.) Third, that I know there are seemingly endless lists of traits of the entrepreneur, and…
Read MoreDid You Get Screwed in Business?
This is a true story. I was there. The details are possibly not exact, and the quotes are paraphrased, but the essentials are true. A startup founder was pitching to 22 local investors. The group had asked him to pitch because we liked his summary materials. He was local to us and had an interesting…
Read MoreA Mixed Bag of Personalities: How to Handle Difficult Customers
We’ve all been there as children, standing in front of the sweets counter deciding which sugary treats to buy. My decision was always made up when I saw a big bag of jellybeans. I’d spend the next 10-15 minutes sifting through my favorite colors and eating the best ones first. Now I don’t know about…
Read More5 Things to Consider Before You Jump into a Partnership
Pooling your talent with someone else is not a bad idea. Many people do it because of the uncertain business climate, and there are many advantages of taking your business forward with a partner. The biggest benefit you have is that you’ll get an opportunity to enjoy shared resources and complementary talent to achieve your…
Read More6 Innovative and Creative Ways to Network
Networking, can be one of the most exciting, and fruitful ways to grow your business! Additionally, it is a necessity and easier than ever before, in this day and age. Below are a few great ways to get your network the boost it needs. Go hiking or engage in some physical activity There has been…
Read More7 Partner Relationships That Can Kill a Good Startup
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. In a moment of crisis, you may be tempted to take on the first person expressing interest as a co-founder. This would be a…
Read MoreYour Legitimate Business Reason?
Do you have a legitimate business reason for reaching out to your lead? If you do not, then you are spamming! What Is Your Legitimate Business Reason? When you have a legitimate business reason to make a cold call, a marketing email or a business text then you have a much better chance of success…
Read MorePrepping for an Investor Pitch? Don’t Get Blinded by Tunnel Vision
Don’t let your drive steer you down a dead end. For a startup founder, enthusiasm is a necessary piece of the personality puzzle. You took the leap and started your business because you believe in it. Whether you’re solving a major technology problem, disrupting a stagnant industry or providing a service that will make life…
Read More7 Rules for Turning Business Conflicts into Win-Win
Many entrepreneurs are not prepared for conflict, or actively avoid it. Their vision, passion, and focus are so strong that they can’t imagine someone disagreeing, much less fighting them to the death. But the reality is that startups are composed of smart people, with emotions as well as intellects, working in close proximity under much…
Read MoreForget Business Networking. It’s a Hoax
Forget business networking. “Networking” as a business activity is a hoax. Business relationships that you build as business assets are meaningless. As soon as you use this vocabulary, it’s self-serving, superficial, and ineffective. The people being used as assets know it, and are not fooled by it. So “Business Networking” doesn’t work. Friendship vs. Self…
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