Business plan – ultimate waste of time or absolute necessity? #startups

There is an enormous amount of information and advice about creating a business plan for one’s startup. The advice ranges from the necessity to prepare a traditional narrative form business plan document, to preparing a business model canvas, or using a business planning tool or app. There are even notions like the idea-less startup, where the team is formed before the startup idea comes together. No business plan … Continue reading Business plan – ultimate waste of time or absolute necessity? #startups

Predicting success #startups

“The only major personality trait that consistently leads to success is conscientiousness.” via Business Insider In large companies personality tests and similar instruments are often deployed to provide people with better insight into their own and team performance. Over the years I have participated in many of these – for example, Myers Briggs, DISC, Belbin Team Roles, Hermann Brain Dominance, 16PF, Big Five Inventory, etc. Many people debate the … Continue reading Predicting success #startups

Startup, stay in business.

The biggest hurdle facing most startups is to stay in business long enough to be successful. If they accomplish this then they have the chance to turn into an ‘overnight success’ after many years of hard work. The numbers are against most new businesses. Many new businesses fail within the first three to five years. Even inside well-resourced large companies the challenges of bringing new … Continue reading Startup, stay in business.

Asking for a friend: Awesome coder wanted for awesome venture

A mate reached out to me today asking if I knew any geeks who would be interested in working with him on a startup project. Here are the details he shared: “I am looking for a super-intelligent web and app all-round coder, hacker and mash-up artist to work on a seriously awesome new venture. We have developed some outrageously good Intellectual Property and concepts, and … Continue reading Asking for a friend: Awesome coder wanted for awesome venture

Interview with 2 of my favourite entrepreneurs @jason @garyvee

If you’ve got time it’s worth taking some of it to watch this interview with Jason and Gary. Jason Calacanis, himself a serial entrepreneur, is a great supporter of startups with his LAUNCH Conference. Gary Vaynerchuk is a well known entrepreneur who built up his family business to a major player using social media and the force of his remarkable personality. Having met both of … Continue reading Interview with 2 of my favourite entrepreneurs @jason @garyvee