Today a friend came into our office to seek some free advice. His question: how do I start a business with no cash? After a long winded series of questions and answers, I should have just said, “you can’t.” Mikel said that pretty quickly. Perhaps I’m a slow study. Maybe I like a good challenge? Read more about The No-Risk Entrepreneur[…]
Earlier today I was reflecting on the distinction between expectations and exposure. Most of us naturally assume normal distributions. We look at a few data points, plot the minimum, maximum and compute a rough average in our head. We then draw a virtual bell curve in our mind. This works for things like human life Read more about Expectations versus Exposure[…]
Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations” supposes that economies will develop most fruitfully near navigable waterways. This is because no method of transportation is cheaper. Raw commodities will be manufactured into processed goods and both raw and finished goods, in excess supply, can be shipped inexpensively to other regions cost effectively. This will support growth of Read more about Digital Rivers[…]
I would like you to create something. Go. Wait… What? That’s not enough? Well, you have everything. Go! “I cannot,” you say, “I need more information.” Life can be a shapeless blue ocean inviting you to do something. This can be terrifying. Instead of remaining frozen, or going immediately to someone else’s prescription, a Read more about Embracing Limitations[…]
A friend and I have been emailing the last few days about the non-profit organizational structure of MatchBOX Coworking Studio. He’s thinking about doing something to impact entrepreneurial communities. It won’t be directly part of his main business but will build off of his success there and could lead indirectly to even more opportunities in Read more about Making money, profit, and impact[…]
This morning, I was sipping my coffee and enjoying a book entitled Paradigms by Joel Arthur Barker. On the cover is a gentleman who I assume to be the author. He is wearing a suit and looks like the picture was taken in 1992. If the old adage is “you shouldn’t judge a book by Read more about Game Makers, Paradigm Shifters & Disruptors[…]
Inspired by Daryl’s post, which was inspired by Franklin: 5 Wake early & read Family 6 Email/Slack Triage and Task list organize. Shower Family 7 Breakfast and catchup with family Commute 8 Coffee meeting – community / mentor focused 9 Project work 10 11 12 Business Lunch Meeting 1 Email/Slack Triage 2 Calls 3 4 Read more about Walk a Day in My Shoes – Berger[…]
The brands or sectors listed in our brand wheel are purists. We believe the most enduring brands are split complementary. They start with a split base and spice it up with an opposite accent, tactically exploited. The next best and most common successful brands are Read more about Brand Promise Wheel[…]
According to our experience and numerous surveys, most small business owners (<$10M enterprise value) intend to sell to an employee or family member. This can be a fantastic succession plan for many companies, especially closely held, private companies. The benefits of selling to an employee include ability to overlap management for a time, preserve the Read more about Selling Your Small Business to an Employee[…]
Inspired by Ben Franklin: 5 Occasionally wake early & read Family 6 Read & prepare a simple breakfast Family 7 Wash & commute 8 First meeting of the day 9 10 Design project 11 12 Business Lunch Meeting 1 Or extended reading 2 Alone Zone 3 4 Closing meeting 5 Commute (audio book) Family 6 Read more about Walk a Day in My Shoes – Starr[…]