In any type of business, building a strong brand identity is a key part of creating a thriving company. That goes double for small businesses, who rely even more on their reputation and the goodwill of their customers than their larger competitors do. Still, building a brand’s identity from the ground up is no easy […]
Setting Goals
Are You Selling What You Can Sell or Selling What You Need to Sell?
Most sales people I meet are genuinely busy. They are trying to meet new customers, find new deals, qualify them, move them to closure. It seems to be almost a badge of honor when I speak to sales people, to proclaim the long hours and hard work. Sometimes, they proudly proclaim, “I’m selling everything I […]
A Guide to Project Management for Startups
Faced with client meetings, finance issues and an inbox bursting at the seams with unanswered emails, giving attention to project management may seem impossible. Without a clear scope, budget and timescale—and a project management methodology—the business is in danger of being blown around by conflicting needs. Worse still, priorities will be dictated by the last […]
10 Thinking Methods That Foster Business Innovation
Innovation is the key to long-term business success, both in startups as well as established organizations. Yet every business and every entrepreneur I know struggles with this challenge, focused on hiring the right people and implementing the right process. Yet, in my experience the key seems to be more a discipline of innovative thinking from […]
Don’t Let the World Define What Success Means for You
Whenever I read popular publications for entrepreneurs, like Inc. and Entrepreneur magazines, I feel like a failure. I didn’t attend an Ivy League college (although I was an academic All-American!). I have no coding skills. I don’t live in Silicon Valley, I’m not an Instagram influencer. I’m not a fearless 22 year old with world […]
Building Your Support System
This is one of those topics I never thought I would have to write about. It’s a subject I assumed was such common sense and common practice that there was no value I could add by writing about it. Turns out, I’m probably a little naive. Right now, I’m involved in at least halve a […]
Don’t Despair While Building a Sustainable Business
Entrepreneurs seem more quickly frustrated these days when their “million-dollar idea” doesn’t turn into a sustainable business overnight. They don’t realize that it takes many skills to build a business under the best of circumstances, and today’s world of instant gratification doesn’t leave room for the patience and practice to develop these skills. Successful sports […]
Set SMART Goals & SMARTER Goals
How many times have you set a New Year’s resolution, only to give in to your old ways after a short time? If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there? We all have a tendency to set New Year’s resolutions and goals without giving any thought as […]
8 Tips for Quantifying Traction in Your New Venture
What is the definition of traction for a business startup today? According to most investors I know, traction is some clear evidence that the “dogs are eating the dog food”—usually meaning that you have at least one customer paying full price for your solution. If your phone app or service is free, then the number […]
6 Guidelines for Proper Responses to Investor Queries
Entrepreneurs looking for investor funding often fail to realize that all money comes with strings. For example, if you have watched the Shark Tank TV series, you probably noticed that the Sharks always ask the entrepreneurs for their intended “use of funds.” Those who respond with one of the wrong answers, such as “I want […]
