The Five-Minute Mentor
I’ve always wondered why every executive meeting has to be one hour in length or longer. That’s probably a tenth of your day spent on one issue. It better be…
Cognitive Bias Can Kill Startups
I’m sure we have all seen entrepreneurs with high levels of passion and confidence touting an idea that seems to make very little sense to us. Of course, we never…
Social Media Is Real – Don’t Be Left Behind!
I have a friend who runs a nationwide “traditional” business, and business has been down like it has been for most people. I suggested that he add some social network…
How Much Capital Should Your Startup Raise?
Startup founders often ask “How much money should I ask for?” The simple answer is, the absolute minimum amount you need to make your business plan work. Some entrepreneurs try…
The Software Patent Problem
I always advise software startups to file patents to protect their “secret sauce” from competitors, and to increase their valuation. The good news is that a patent can scare off…
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…
How Do Non-Profit Organizations Raise Money?
Angel investors and venture capitalists don’t invest in non-profits. The simple reason is that it’s impossible to make money for investors when the goal of the company is to not…
How to Prepare for a Career at a Startup
These days I see a surge of new startups as we fight our way out of the recession. If you are not starting one yourself, the next best thing is…
Express Your Vision so Investors Can See the Light
Presenting your startup vision as a founder to a potential investor, or presenting an idea as an employee to an executive, requires that you effectively communicate, or “translate”, the value…
Six Myths That Limit Your Startup’s Potential
All true entrepreneurs operate off a set of tenets that are built into their psyche or drilled into them through training and by mentors. These are represented by sayings like…