You know by now that my personal mantra is “ask better questions.” I look to other people for the answers. One place I look every day is Fred Wilson’s great aVC blog. His latest post is a fantastic slideshow with the a perfect primer about what is going on in the world right now. Highly [...]
Entries from October 24th, 2009
4 ways to look at Innovation and New Venture
October 24th, 2009 · No Comments · organic growth, Social Entrepreneurship, Uncategorized
Lyle Wright of the state’s SBDC office recently reminded me of the Voltaire quote: “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.” For entrepreneurs, this is a great reminder to get out and do it – don’t wait for the perfect business plan, or the perfect website, or the perfect sales pitch. Here’s [...]
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Fantastic Social Entrepreneurship Video
October 20th, 2009 · No Comments · Entrepreneurship, ideas, Social Entrepreneurship
My sister is one heck of an entrepreneur. Instead of creating a business to benefit herself, she created a Museum that benefits an entire state. Anne Steuer created the Children’s Museum of Lacrosse – an epically wonderful place where families can go to learn and explore. Please watch her short “Aha Moment” video, and give [...]
Focus on Net Worth
October 12th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
Here’s a comic I found on an April blog post at amix.dk a while back, and saved it: So many entrepreneurs I deal with focus on cash flow, they never stop to think about their net worth. Great books, like The Millionaire Next Door detail the habits of the quiet millionaires. People in your own [...]
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Social Media – The hype vs. reality
October 11th, 2009 · No Comments · consulting, ideas, social media
Here’s a funny from Hugh McCloud – If you want more blog traffic, write about social media! If you want to be completely ignored, write about social media! © 2009 Hugh MacLeod’s Gaping Void I recently was with a large group looking for a new marketing direction. The room buzzed with “social media” as the [...]
Tags: gapingvoid·social media
Ask better questions, a Marine's perspective
October 10th, 2009 · No Comments · Around the world, consulting, Entrepreneurship
A Marine shares his story about asking better questions.
Tags: ask better questions·marines
Killing your own cash cows
October 9th, 2009 · No Comments · consulting, Entrepreneurship
I’ve been reading through some of my past writings, and came across my December 12th, 2007 post entitled “Kill Your Own Cash Cows.” All companies seek growth. Below is a plan of attack for identifying new venture opportunities within the framework of your current business. The key is to start with problems of your customers, [...]
Ways to deal with small business stress
October 8th, 2009 · No Comments · Uncategorized
Jay Goltz wrote a great piece today in the New York Times. He owns five small businesses in Chicago, and writes some great words of wisdom on how to reduce stress. Here’s and excerpt, and a link to the original article. 1. First, identify the real problem. Entrepreneurs often say they just need more sales [...]
Tags: Entrepreneurship
Alemar Cheese gets big city praise – I'm so proud
October 7th, 2009 · No Comments · Entrepreneurship, ideas, new venture
My friend Keith Adams started a small, organic artisan cheese company this year. I remember the day he broke the news to my wife and I that he wanted to make cheese. It was over a glass of wine, in my kitchen, about a year ago. My first reaction? Well, as a guy who has [...]
Help me understand the Pizza Burger – asking better open ended questions
October 7th, 2009 · No Comments · consulting, Entrepreneurship, ideas
My friend won $50,000 on “Who Want’s to be a Millionaire” a few years ago, and me and a couple of buddies were there to cheer him on. As guys trips go, this one was a doozy… we stayed on Times Square, and stayed out late at one of my favorite American pubs – the [...]