The Essence of Strategy: Be Different
Businesses need to compete in the marketplace to satisfy customer needs by creating unique value for the customer. When companies create value for the customer, they are rewarded with future…
Five Startup Exit Strategies
If you startup is your dream, why would you want to think about an exit? It’s going to be so successful and so much fun that you don’t need to…
How to Tell if You’re Ready to Take the Leap
Many budding entrepreneurs struggle mightily with that first step – out of their comfort zone and into the unknown. They keep asking people like me whether the time is right,…
Startup Risks Worth Taking
Most entrepreneurs think that risk is just an “occupational hazard” that can be minimized or eliminated by a smart businessman. That way of thinking is simplistic and wrong. In reality,…
An IPO Is a Poor Exit Choice for Most Entrepreneurs
Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. They don’t realize that this option would likely be their worst nightmare, since…
What’s Your Sustainable Competitive Advantage?
One of the toughest and yet most important questions you will be asked by savvy potential startup investors is “What is your sustainable competitive advantage?” Yet many entrepreneurs, maybe in…
10 Questions On the Road to Entrepreneurship
Deciding to be an entrepreneur is a lifestyle move, and should be part of a long-term personal strategic plan. You shouldn’t be making this decision just because you are mad…
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Daniel Pink's book, Drive, explores some misconceptions about what drives human behaviors. For example, one commonly held belief is that if you provide larger monetary incentives, people will perform better…
Create a Business Model that Works
Many entrepreneurs work hard on the proof of concept (technical), but skip any proof of the business model (revenue flow). In other words, once they are convinced that the product…
Doing a Startup Without Quitting Your Day Job
Many entrepreneurs I know feel guilty about not quitting their day job when initiating their startup, worrying about not giving their all to an employer, juggling the multiple roles, or…