Most of the time, I’m all about providing encouragement and inspiration to entrepreneurs. They need it and they deserve it, because entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy. But every so often, I try to give them a reality check, just to keep their feet on the ground and their nose to the gri
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Martinzwilling submitted the following stories to BizSugar
Every Startup Needs a Reality Check Now and Then
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4674 days ago
Don’t Allow an Hour for a Five-Minute Discussion
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4675 days ago
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 a critical one, because you have a hundred others waiting. I believe you can be much more productive, as well as a more effective leader, if
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Global Expansion Requires Local Expert Staffing
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4677 days ago
You have successfully conceived a new business, obtained funding and are now planning to capitalize on the large market opportunities existing outside of the USA. In this article I would like to share with you recommendations for staffing, based on my personal long-term hands-on experience in this
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Too Busy for Social Media Marketing Could Be Fatal
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4678 days ago
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 marketing initiatives, and his answer was he is “too busy.” He is not alone, according to a recent study, which concludes that only
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8 Ways Entrepreneurs Can Size Investment Limits
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4679 days ago
Startups ask me “How much money should I ask for?” The simple answer is the absolute minimum amount you need to make your plan work. Some entrepreneurs try to start with a huge number, hoping they can negotiate and close on a smaller one, while others understate their requirements, in hopes of gett
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Software Patents are Becoming a Tax on Innovation
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4680 days ago
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 or at least delay competitors, and as a “rule of thumb” every patent can add up to $1M to your startup valuation for inve
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Five Rules to Prevent Startup Project Scope Creep
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4681 days ago
“Scope creep” (or feature creep) is an insidious disease that kills more good startups than any other, especially high-tech ones, and yet most founders (who may be the cause) never even see it happening. This term refers to the penchant to add just one more feature to the product or service before
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Real Entrepreneurs Exit If Their Startup Goes Public
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4682 days ago
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 it costs millions for the road show, usually dilutes your equity to a tiny fraction, and takes away all your
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Independence is the Real Driver for Entrepreneurs
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4683 days ago
For all entrepreneurs, starting a business is the route to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” no matter how risky. It’s the American dream that has been the goal of people in this country for over 230 years. If you are here in the U.S., I hope you are all able to take some time off this
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Six Ways to Fund a Non-Profit, Without an Investor
Posted by martinzwilling under StartupsFrom http://blog.startupprofessionals.com 4684 days ago
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 make money. Yet I still get this question on a regular basis, so I’ll try to outline the considerations in common-sense t
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