Month: August 2020

Okay so, since I am a former entrepreneur and run a think tank, I get the privilege, or some might say the burdensome task, of reading countless business plans. Now then, let me tell you something; most people cannot write decent plan for a new start-up business to save their rear end, you’d be surprised, even those with MBAs from some of the best schools in the country are dismal at it. Of course, your average creative genius entrepreneur is probably worse.

Over and over again, in Elevator Pitches, you can hear consultants talk about being “in it for the long haul” for their clients. For many clients, that’s music to their ears. It’s just what they need. If you’re a Small Business Owner or a Bootstrapper, the “long haul” can be more like the music you hear in a horror movie.

What is a Virtual Assistant and more importantly what do they do? This is a question Virtual Assistants get asked all the time. It could be seen as a strange question to ask, but in truth it is probably one of the most important questions anyone can ask a small business owner that specialises in being a Virtual Assistant.

Starting a business can be an ominous task. You want it to be huge. Despite popular belief, however, you don’t have to start big to be big.

Business planning is usually thought of as a boring exercise to get a bank loan. Business planning done right is how entrepreneurs build their playbook for future success. Great business planning has five key steps to take you from why you started your business to the specific steps to execute to make your business happen.

You are operating in the service of a higher purpose. You cannot serve that purpose by avoiding things that make you uncomfortable.

Your positioning determines your returns. Be the school with the pool and you’ll only deal with wealthy parents. Tell yourself it’s too much trouble and you’ll soon be wondering why your clients have no cash.

Your business is not a hobby. A hobby is something into which people sink enormous amounts of time and money. However, there is one aspect of a hobby that I do agree with – your business should give you joy.

Chances are, you probably have many gifts, talents, areas of expertise, and useful tips and information you can share with others through the wisdom and knowledge you’ve gained through your education and all your life experience. And, you love to share it! If that’s you, you’re a multi-faceted messenger! But have you ever been told by other business coaches and mentors that you had to “just pick one” thing and go with it? Don’t you just hate that? If you’re like me, being told to “just pick one” is like…

Most of the Wall Street Journal’s top 50 startups are in California, and spawned by Stanford University. The key is that Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors are willing to “roll the dice” and invest in startups in California that many out of state investors are afraid to do.