At Toastmasters this evening, I heard a speech about finding your dream job and that it is never too late. The speech was about a man who quit his job, bought a few washing machines and "cleaned up" in the laundry business. Later, after making a very good living he sold it to become a chef. The point of the story was focusing on the second half (the chef), I was riveted to the first part, the laundry. Here was the story of a true entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs have an overabundance of self-confidence. This guy not afraid to start a business. He knew he wouldn't allow himself to fail. He did it. Of course he must have felt the doubts and the insecurities. I'll bet he got tired and woke up not wanting to be “on” once in a while too, but he did it. He like everyone who succeeds was not afraid to live in that uncomfortable feeling. I propose that to feel “comfortable” is an alert that success has been capped.
How many people speak publicly with ease and complete comfort? Not many, yet there is a full room each week that I go to Toastmasters. These folks are driven for success in speaking and are willing to sit through the discomfort to attain it. Maybe successful people are just able to tolerate a higher level of this sensation than most.
Entrepreneurship must be the black belt level.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
The Best Deal in Marketing
In a recent Wall Street Journal blog, Amir Efrati points out that in May 2011 Google attained 1 Billion unique visitors to its various web sites. 1 BILLION IN MAY!
A week or so ago I read a cool article that discussed a theory regarding Facebook’s upward limit. It explained that it when Facebook is newly released in a country it gains new users quickly, until it has collected HALF of the country’s population, then new accounts slow. HALF A COUNTRY’S POPULATION!
Last week I posted a link on my Linkedin account that explained Twitter claims 13% of all online Americans. 13%!
Have there ever been such powerful marketing/sales tools available to us entrepreneurs?
Facebook, Twitter and most Google sites are FREE.
Do you use these services effectively? Do you have a Web 2.0 plan and is it part of your marketing strategy? My vote is that it should be.
As startup entrepreneurs we look for value and bang for the buck. These services allow us to reach the whole world – Wow, did I just see our audience grow exponentially?! But what is left is our effort to learn to use these tools to their utmost. It’s worth it.
With this amazing access to so many potential clients, partners, investors etc., it is quite obvious that we need to stand out from the field. This forces best practices and social networking innovation. Get on it. Deliver your message, be consistent and take advantage of what has never been available before. The world is closer than ever.
Good luck,
Brian
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Review Gates - Not so Evil
I've been working with a rather large client, managing the release of a couple mobile applications. Their processes are well documented and many. I mean it...there is a LOT of process. Part of the process the PMs have to schedule are weekly checkpoints with the review board and review board gates prior to advancing into SIT, UAT or Prod. I know that some colleagues may consider this overkill or unnecessary, but I have come to appreciate it.
This type of process isn't for us when we are wearing our startup manager hat. We insist on flexibility and agility. We establish process and try to create repeatable successful performances based on strong startup engineering processes. However, we don't have the immense infrastructure that these large companies do. They have to be extra careful to not effect other groups when making changes, and only well adhered to communications protocols will ensure that.
However, the exercise of going through these gateways has reinforced in my mind the importance of orderly project management and impeccable planning and documentation. Here are a group of folks that insist on seeing your plans and signoffs. There are no excuses, just data: "do you have X?" If not, go back and get it done.
Startups can get sloppy on points like I've described here. Using "We're a startup - fast and furious" as an excuse is a trap. I think we can all look at how we prepare our plans and take this kind of responsibility back to our startups. Don't get bogged down in process EVER, and don't put processes into place before necessary, but plan well and be able to explain your plan and validation every step of the way.
Best of luck,
Brian
This type of process isn't for us when we are wearing our startup manager hat. We insist on flexibility and agility. We establish process and try to create repeatable successful performances based on strong startup engineering processes. However, we don't have the immense infrastructure that these large companies do. They have to be extra careful to not effect other groups when making changes, and only well adhered to communications protocols will ensure that.
However, the exercise of going through these gateways has reinforced in my mind the importance of orderly project management and impeccable planning and documentation. Here are a group of folks that insist on seeing your plans and signoffs. There are no excuses, just data: "do you have X?" If not, go back and get it done.
Startups can get sloppy on points like I've described here. Using "We're a startup - fast and furious" as an excuse is a trap. I think we can all look at how we prepare our plans and take this kind of responsibility back to our startups. Don't get bogged down in process EVER, and don't put processes into place before necessary, but plan well and be able to explain your plan and validation every step of the way.
Best of luck,
Brian
Saturday, March 12, 2011
You Can Go Your Own Way
Steve Jobs said "Its better to be a pirate than to join the navy".
Jobs of course is the founder of Apple Computers. Apple topped Fortune 500s 2011 list of most respected companies, but I suspect if you spoke with Apple's competitors they would tell you he was a bloodthirsty businessman, however I don't think that is what he meant. What Jobs was referring to was freedom.
- Freedom v. indoctrination
- Doing what you want to do to serve your own purpose v. doing what someone else wants you to do that serves their purpose
"Its better to be a pirate than to join the navy" - this statement is full of such rich imagery.
A gray battleship with sailors in denim and tee shirts, getting their rations, stowing their kits and being given their orders that are part of a larger plan conceived thousands of miles away by leaders that they have never met.
Contrast that image with the imagery associated with pirates:
Wind in the sails, red silk shirts, debauchery in port of call, chasing gold with the possibility of retiring to an estate in the Caribbean or going down in flames and glory. Now that is excitement and this is what Steve Jobs was talking about - compare it to our careers.
Often times when a worker joins a company they are shown to their 5x7 square foot of real estate. They get a chair, a florescent light, a pay check, vacation pay and maybe a parking spot. Its safe. But to start your own business is to throw caution to the wind. Its taking your fate into your own hands.
Taking your own fate into your hands.
Has anyone ever thought that their boss was...hmm, how should I say it...”not making the best decisions”? Well, if you have, you're saying more than just that. First you're saying that YOU have placed the responsibility for your livelihood into the hands of someone who doesn’t "make the best decisions”. Get it? You're also saying that you believe you could do it better. If that is true, than prove it. Take the responsibility to do it the right way - imagine living in a world where people take responsibility for themselves instead of handing responsibility over to others - sounds like value was created and the world was made a bit better.
Making the world better is big business these days. There are lots of green company startups, and social entrepreneurship is HOT. Investors are looking for new ventures to fund - after all, if you can convince the market to spend and extra $2 on an energy efficient light bulb, that's just good business, good business that does good in the world.
The opportunity to do good in the world by starting a business is greater than ever. With public sector budgets being slashed, important and necessary services are no longer being offered. All of those displaced workers have the chance to start their own venture that meets a critical need. Doing good in the world and creating jobs at the same time!
Finally, its less expensive starting a business now that it ever has been. Forward thinking, driven individuals can harness today's technology to lower their new business's operating expenses to almost nothing. In the old days starting a business meant buying or renting an office, building it out with infrastructure, contracting a phone service, etc. But today we wouldn't do that. Today we take advantage of all the free/low-cost services available on the web to create virtual work environments that displace most of the expenses businesses typically faced in their early stages.
What I hope you’ll take away is that by taking your fate into your own hands you can achieve freedom that allows you to do good in the world and that investment is not the barrier it once was. Piracy isn’t for the faint of heart, but in the immortal words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho!”
Monday, October 4, 2010
Running Effective Meetings - Easier than you think
Do you dread meetings? Does it feel like your whole day gets sucked into a vacuum of unproductive chaos? Do you HAVE to invite attendees that argue, side track, monopolize or drone? Well as a manager it is up to you to correct this (even if it is your boss!)
I've certainly been part of the above scenarios. There were times when I would call a meeting to discuss a feature set and I knew it would turn into a technical design meeting. This was so frustrating. I had a reason to gather the team together to discuss the new features, tech talk about how to do it wasn't part of my agenda - it would stall the march to progress. Did you catch the key? agenda
How many times does someone take the time to prepare an agenda? It doesn't have to win a Pulitzer Prize, it just needs to be done. The agenda needs to explain what this meeting is about. I've been asked ad-hoc to attend a "quick meeting". These "quick meetings" go on and on and little headway is ever made without a plan. I started asking the person requesting my time to send me the topic and a break down in email. I'd print it out and bring it with me. All I can say is that right away a psychological impression was made by my just putting the "agenda" in front of me for all to see. When things started to go off track I would pick it up and make a big scrutinizing face while I "looked" for the topic that was being discussed. If you stop reading right here, then you are way farther ahead than most!
Aside from preparing an agenda (remember, doesn't have to win a literary award, but effort is always appreciated) is timekeeping. Think back to when you were last networking with someone who could provide a job or service to you. You may have asked for 10 or 20 minutes of their time and then at the end of that you said "thank you, I want to respect your other commitments and I see our time is up" (what a terrific impression). Well, why not have that respect for everyone in the meeting room? I want to hear "we love Brian's meetings!". Well, if you schedule an hour meeting make sure it is an accurate estimate. It is like estimating development work. You've already set the meetings topic and broken it down into bullets, so before the meeting invite is sent out, assign time to each section. No guessing how long to schedule anymore. When folks see times on the agenda they will immediately understand your intention to respect their time and everyone else's. Also it sets you up for some easy phrases that'll keep you on track!
So, we have prepared an agenda that includes time limits for each section. We have added up the time and sent a meeting request for the necessary amount. Our attendees have read the agenda and feel a respect for your sense of purpose. Now you have gathered at the appointed time. Well, if you needed the projector set up or white board cleaned YOU SHOWED UP EARLY! After everyone sits down reiterate that you have an agenda. It can be as easy as "Thank you all for showing attending. I want to get started right away because I know how busy you all are." Then lay out the topic for the meeting (it should be on the agenda for 30 seconds). "I only gave myself less than a minute to set the stage, so here is why we're here...". Your attendees now know that you mean business. If things start to go off topic throw in a "I knew you were going to find some interesting discussion points that aren't on the agenda. I've made a note and will schedule a follow-up to go into that, but we've only got 5 minutes left on this bullet, so I have to bring it back in". Come up with your own or share them as a comment to this post, I'd love to hear them.
Finally, you have to set a culture of efficiency and respect. Make it clear that everyone is to show up on-time. All attendees are expected to review the agenda and any attachments before hand. HOLD ON: that last one means that the meeting creator has to give busy people time to review. Stop ambushing folks - they hate that! We all know that ad-hoc meetings are necessary, but even brainstorming sessions can be structured read about these guys: http://www.ideo.com/ They've made it a science
This is my suggestion. A) agenda B) time limits C) respectful redirecting D) cultural expectations. Like I said, easy.
Good luck and let me know,
Brian
http://brianleblanc.net
I've certainly been part of the above scenarios. There were times when I would call a meeting to discuss a feature set and I knew it would turn into a technical design meeting. This was so frustrating. I had a reason to gather the team together to discuss the new features, tech talk about how to do it wasn't part of my agenda - it would stall the march to progress. Did you catch the key? agenda
How many times does someone take the time to prepare an agenda? It doesn't have to win a Pulitzer Prize, it just needs to be done. The agenda needs to explain what this meeting is about. I've been asked ad-hoc to attend a "quick meeting". These "quick meetings" go on and on and little headway is ever made without a plan. I started asking the person requesting my time to send me the topic and a break down in email. I'd print it out and bring it with me. All I can say is that right away a psychological impression was made by my just putting the "agenda" in front of me for all to see. When things started to go off track I would pick it up and make a big scrutinizing face while I "looked" for the topic that was being discussed. If you stop reading right here, then you are way farther ahead than most!
Aside from preparing an agenda (remember, doesn't have to win a literary award, but effort is always appreciated) is timekeeping. Think back to when you were last networking with someone who could provide a job or service to you. You may have asked for 10 or 20 minutes of their time and then at the end of that you said "thank you, I want to respect your other commitments and I see our time is up" (what a terrific impression). Well, why not have that respect for everyone in the meeting room? I want to hear "we love Brian's meetings!". Well, if you schedule an hour meeting make sure it is an accurate estimate. It is like estimating development work. You've already set the meetings topic and broken it down into bullets, so before the meeting invite is sent out, assign time to each section. No guessing how long to schedule anymore. When folks see times on the agenda they will immediately understand your intention to respect their time and everyone else's. Also it sets you up for some easy phrases that'll keep you on track!
So, we have prepared an agenda that includes time limits for each section. We have added up the time and sent a meeting request for the necessary amount. Our attendees have read the agenda and feel a respect for your sense of purpose. Now you have gathered at the appointed time. Well, if you needed the projector set up or white board cleaned YOU SHOWED UP EARLY! After everyone sits down reiterate that you have an agenda. It can be as easy as "Thank you all for showing attending. I want to get started right away because I know how busy you all are." Then lay out the topic for the meeting (it should be on the agenda for 30 seconds). "I only gave myself less than a minute to set the stage, so here is why we're here...". Your attendees now know that you mean business. If things start to go off topic throw in a "I knew you were going to find some interesting discussion points that aren't on the agenda. I've made a note and will schedule a follow-up to go into that, but we've only got 5 minutes left on this bullet, so I have to bring it back in". Come up with your own or share them as a comment to this post, I'd love to hear them.
Finally, you have to set a culture of efficiency and respect. Make it clear that everyone is to show up on-time. All attendees are expected to review the agenda and any attachments before hand. HOLD ON: that last one means that the meeting creator has to give busy people time to review. Stop ambushing folks - they hate that! We all know that ad-hoc meetings are necessary, but even brainstorming sessions can be structured read about these guys: http://www.ideo.com/ They've made it a science
This is my suggestion. A) agenda B) time limits C) respectful redirecting D) cultural expectations. Like I said, easy.
Good luck and let me know,
Brian
http://brianleblanc.net
Friday, October 1, 2010
Successful Staffing
There is a lot that I can say about staffing a startup technology company. I'm finding it difficult to narrow it down to the short few paragraphs that I'll present here in this blog post. Let me put it this way: technical ability is not the only factor that goes into the equation.
I am energized in a startup environment. The intense atmosphere charges me up - every second of everyday is filled with excitement. My team and I are required to put forth 100%. We think on our feet, design for anticipated feedback, create and recreate processes that enhance our efficiency and so much more. This workday can be exhilarating to the right person just as it can be pain to others. To create a vibrant team that is capable of meeting the significant challenges that face a startup tech company I always look further than technical skills.
Someone with an Axe to Grind or Something to Prove or who is just plain HUNGRY is a good place to start. I like to find candidates who are excited that they will get to take on so much more responsibility at a startup than they would be allowed at a larger company. So a person who feels that they can do things better and wants a chance to prove it may be ideal.
Now I am sure you can imagine that this may be creating a powder keg. Think about it, a room (usually a cheap one) filled with highly skilled techies that are striving to do great things. Well, defusing any potential explosions and channeling that energy into a positive direction that drives product creation is your job. Thats where your teambuilding skills come in. But you need the talent first - the right talent.
Cheers,
Brian
http://brianleblanc.net
I am energized in a startup environment. The intense atmosphere charges me up - every second of everyday is filled with excitement. My team and I are required to put forth 100%. We think on our feet, design for anticipated feedback, create and recreate processes that enhance our efficiency and so much more. This workday can be exhilarating to the right person just as it can be pain to others. To create a vibrant team that is capable of meeting the significant challenges that face a startup tech company I always look further than technical skills.
Someone with an Axe to Grind or Something to Prove or who is just plain HUNGRY is a good place to start. I like to find candidates who are excited that they will get to take on so much more responsibility at a startup than they would be allowed at a larger company. So a person who feels that they can do things better and wants a chance to prove it may be ideal.
Now I am sure you can imagine that this may be creating a powder keg. Think about it, a room (usually a cheap one) filled with highly skilled techies that are striving to do great things. Well, defusing any potential explosions and channeling that energy into a positive direction that drives product creation is your job. Thats where your teambuilding skills come in. But you need the talent first - the right talent.
Cheers,
Brian
http://brianleblanc.net
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Burn the Boats!
I think many of us have heard the legend of Hernando Cortez and how he captured the amazing wealth from Mexico that had so long evaded other European conquerers. If not, you can read all about it here: http://www.tonybrownonline.com/rts/index.asp?action=page&name=16525&siteid=1421
The main thrust of the story is that if you leave an avenue of escape open to yourself than you will not fight as hard for your prize. “Make or break”; “Plunder or parish”; “Do or die”. This is the message that Cortez sent to his men when he said “Burn the boats! Because if we're going home, we're going home in their boats!”
How do you think Cortez's men felt? They were facing a challenge that no one had succeeded at before. In fact, there was overwhelming proof that they were going to fail because so many had before. They were going to succeed or die. Now, how would they have felt if they had known that the boats were offshore waiting to take them home safely? Maybe a risky battle move would not be tried? Maybe they wouldn't give 110%? I think we all get it. Cortez knew what he wanted and knew he wouldn't get it if he and his men were left a safe getaway.
How does the Cortez legend apply to startup management? It is the single-most important energy for you and your team to embody for success.
How do you get that feeling? Well, for starters, how about investing everything that you have? If you know that you face financial ruin if you fail to deliver a product to market, how will you behave? Will you stay up late? Will you forgo the upgraded TV to keep afloat a bit longer? IMPORTANT: will you be extra choosy about who you hire into your company? Lets talk about that one for a moment. If your savings depended on who you hired wouldn't you want to hire in those who would work hard like you will?
What else about those that we hire? If Cortez was the only one who couldn't get back on the boat would he have only burned his? NO WAY. He burned everybody's boat. You must create a situation where all participants feel invested and you only want those that will fight to the end. Partial ownership is one way. Ownership gives a great incentive for victory, though you still have to be careful because if someone doesn't believe in the cause they could just be there for the paycheck. Another way is separation.
Is your endeavor an effort for a larger company? Are the engineers employees of the larger company? Break the ties. Move locations. Make everyone uncomfortable. “This is our new office. It is small and dingy. This is what we are affording to stay open. If we don't hit each and every milestone with quality these doors may be locked the next time you show up for work.” Who would want to work in this atmosphere and with this kind of pressure? I do! And so do many others.
Startups are cool! We get to do things and take responsibilities that larger companies don't always allow. It is fast paced and exciting. There is an element of danger. Some people thrive on this. A lot of folks don't. Pick your crew well, inspire them with the promise of shared wealth, and BURN THE BOATS!
The main thrust of the story is that if you leave an avenue of escape open to yourself than you will not fight as hard for your prize. “Make or break”; “Plunder or parish”; “Do or die”. This is the message that Cortez sent to his men when he said “Burn the boats! Because if we're going home, we're going home in their boats!”
How do you think Cortez's men felt? They were facing a challenge that no one had succeeded at before. In fact, there was overwhelming proof that they were going to fail because so many had before. They were going to succeed or die. Now, how would they have felt if they had known that the boats were offshore waiting to take them home safely? Maybe a risky battle move would not be tried? Maybe they wouldn't give 110%? I think we all get it. Cortez knew what he wanted and knew he wouldn't get it if he and his men were left a safe getaway.
How does the Cortez legend apply to startup management? It is the single-most important energy for you and your team to embody for success.
How do you get that feeling? Well, for starters, how about investing everything that you have? If you know that you face financial ruin if you fail to deliver a product to market, how will you behave? Will you stay up late? Will you forgo the upgraded TV to keep afloat a bit longer? IMPORTANT: will you be extra choosy about who you hire into your company? Lets talk about that one for a moment. If your savings depended on who you hired wouldn't you want to hire in those who would work hard like you will?
What else about those that we hire? If Cortez was the only one who couldn't get back on the boat would he have only burned his? NO WAY. He burned everybody's boat. You must create a situation where all participants feel invested and you only want those that will fight to the end. Partial ownership is one way. Ownership gives a great incentive for victory, though you still have to be careful because if someone doesn't believe in the cause they could just be there for the paycheck. Another way is separation.
Is your endeavor an effort for a larger company? Are the engineers employees of the larger company? Break the ties. Move locations. Make everyone uncomfortable. “This is our new office. It is small and dingy. This is what we are affording to stay open. If we don't hit each and every milestone with quality these doors may be locked the next time you show up for work.” Who would want to work in this atmosphere and with this kind of pressure? I do! And so do many others.
Startups are cool! We get to do things and take responsibilities that larger companies don't always allow. It is fast paced and exciting. There is an element of danger. Some people thrive on this. A lot of folks don't. Pick your crew well, inspire them with the promise of shared wealth, and BURN THE BOATS!
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