Priorities are never as clear as we think
Under-communicating strategic direction and priorities is one of the most common mistakes I have seen founders make. Startup founders typically have a set of top priorities or organizational goals they have defined and communicated. Usually, this communication takes the form of a PowerPoint presentation which is shared in executive staff meetings, and then again in…
A few tips to help you craft the perfect pitch
I have witnessed hundreds upon hundreds of pitches – and have also pitched to investors and customers – through many years practicing persuasive pitching. As a startup entrepreneur, you must create a convincing argument that will persuade venture capitalists, business owners, potential clients, or other investors to help make your dream a reality. A business…
Developing a solution first, then looking for a problem to solve rarely leads to success
There once was a highly motivated developer who worked at a bank. One day, he figured out a way to automatically round up decimals in banking transactions to the nearest whole number in bank accounts. He reasoned that the difference could be either taken as additional revenue to the bank or paid back to the…
Always be raising, always be closing, always be talking about the business
Being a startup CEO is tough. Work life balance, as nice as it is, is not easy. Many leadership gurus – who invest in or mentor startup founders – often find CEOs struggle with the pace. One of the biggest challenges startup founders faces is balancing the continuous need to raise capital while running the…
Building your team the right way is essential for your company's long-term success
The three most common reasons startups fail are having the wrong product, running out of capital and having the wrong team. Today, I will focus on building your startup team. How do you attract, build, and expand your team as a startup? How do you keep them engaged, creative, and focused on tasks? How do…
The journey for your startup is just beginning
Yipee! Your startup has been funded. You suddenly have sufficient capital to put in motion the plans your pitch deck promised your new investors. Term sheets negotiated, first wired funds received, shares issued. So, now what? The world of startups is filled with cautionary tales of startups which can’t seem to navigate the new world…