Entrepreneurship, Leadership and the Impact of the Global Economy

Economic impact - the world's impression of Obama

2008-06-05T08:41:00.002-05:00

Put politics aside and think of this from a global economic impact of the impression of America across the world.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/world/05react.html?em&ex=1212724800&en=b9dba68019fd4af9&ei=5087%0A

Do you need more convincing about power of global economy? Billionaires?

2008-05-27T18:57:00.002-05:00

There are more billionaires in Moscow than in NYC?

http://www.newsweek.com/id/137480

Finally, a new browser competition with some needed innovation

2008-05-27T18:55:00.002-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/technology/26firefox.html?_r=1&bl&ex=1212033600&en=2a513ecfac5b8c73&ei=5087%0A&oref=slogin

Firefox is not new to most of us, but some big firms and small firms are ready for round two after MS Explorer beat Netscape.

When America is not the only economic superpower

2008-05-10T19:10:00.001-05:00

I respect this guy when I see him on television on Sunday morning talk shows.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/135380

Fortune Magazine recognizes the faces of the future

2008-04-25T08:33:00.002-05:00

Okay, I am getting old if at 37 I am no longer eligible to even be considered for a future list.

Yeah, I know illusions of grandeur..

But these people have a bright future

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0804/gallery.F500_fresh_faces.fortune/index.html

Entrepreneurship up in a down economy

2008-04-25T07:44:00.001-05:00

At the end of the day, jobs are created by entrepreneurs. More communities should help them.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/2008-04-24-entrepreneurs_N.htm

North Carolina is home to many hot spots for business

2008-03-30T18:04:00.002-05:00

I have to say I am particularly proud of this listing
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fsb/0803/gallery.best_places_to_launch.fsb/41.html

Silicon Valley started with $538?

2008-03-25T18:59:00.002-05:00

Faith and hard work led to a technology revolution before angel and venture funding
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2008/03/24/hpgarage_0324.html?cxntnid=biz032508e

5 Best Business Blogs to help you be up to date

2008-03-25T18:55:00.003-05:00

We all love to get the inside scoop, the skinny, the buzz even if we don't live in the same city as the action.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/fortune/0803/gallery.bizblogs.fortune/index.html

The Tech Conference has forever changed

2008-03-14T05:45:00.001-05:00

Everyone who has ever put on or been to a conference, the rules have just changed forever.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/11/technology/fost_conference.fortune/?postversion=2008031114

Advice on preparing to make the sale

2008-03-04T06:43:00.002-05:00

Not everyone loves Mr. Obnoxious but he is fun to listen to in person.

Mr. Gitomer talks about preparing for a sales call.

http://www.gsabusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56

Did you make some money today?

Just for fun- throw out everything you think you know

2008-03-03T20:24:00.001-05:00

And then there is an octopus with six legs which is now called a ...?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080303/sc_afp/sciencebritainanimalhexapusoffbeat;_ylt=Avg0BG3U6OUZu2gG4tKXUdwDW7oF

Farewell but you have not heard the end of her

2008-03-03T19:59:00.003-05:00

Monica Doss has stepped down as CEO of the most influential regional entrepreneur development organization anywhere. She has worked to help North Carolina companies for more than 20 years.

Coming from someone who has started two entrepreneur development organizations, I raise a glass to a friend and a mentor. CHEERS!

http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/opinion/blogpost/2499420/

Does your community support entrepreneurs?

2008-02-27T13:49:00.002-05:00

http://www.techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=4861

While recruiting is crucial to attract the brains within the companies, it must be balanced with investing time and money into the local entrepreneur base.

This is a report from Kauffman Foundation.

When this kind of leader believes in you, wouldn't you run through a wall?

2008-02-23T22:47:00.001-05:00

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3261422

We need to fight to prevent this from happening

2008-02-23T22:32:00.002-05:00

http://wrallocaltechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/news/story/2475416/

What are you waiting for?

2008-02-23T22:29:00.001-05:00

See what happens when you match Quality of Place with the new economy?

http://sxsw.com/

New article on 7 tips for leaders to balance strengths and weaknesses

2008-02-21T14:13:00.003-05:00

http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/104450/The-Seven-Saving-Graces-for-Managers?mod=oneclick

I have learned some of the lessons the hard way.

I would encourage you to take these to heart.

Lead - America needs your leadership today.

It may be harder than ever to be a leader, but if you leave it to someone else, you can't complain about the situation without your own solutions.

Two video interviews on finding angel investors

2008-02-20T07:26:00.001-05:00

A sad frog who won't croak in his own pond...Sorry for the shameless plug

Two video interviews on finding angel investors
http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/page/1478849/

Off the subject on a holiday day off but have you seen the trailers for Be Kind Rewind?

2008-02-18T15:21:00.003-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7C8nHAAs70

Could be some good stress relief.

Excellent article on the Challenges of Startups

2008-02-18T07:46:00.003-05:00

Every entrepreneur should read this before starting down the winding, hilly road of starting a new company.

http://techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=4806

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate

Off the beaten path cities to consider

2008-02-16T11:27:00.002-05:00

With the upcoming release of Richard Florida's new book called "Who's Your City?" I found this article on Underrated Cities to consider.

http://tinyurl.com/286gyq

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

If "world is flat" did not scare you, read this

2008-02-12T21:44:00.001-05:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/magazine/27world-t.html?scp=2&sq=china+economy&st=nyt

Get out your dictionary, but a good read with glass of Shiraz.

Sad State of American Economics - Panhandlers make more than Wal Mart workers

2008-02-10T12:20:00.000-05:00

I heard this on NPR where panhandlers outside of the store were making more than the Wal Mart workers inside the store.

http://www.komotv.com/news/local/15157611.html

Add that to this story where 6,000 people are applying for 300 Wal Mart jobs in Cleveland area.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/11/in-cleveland-60.html

Just another reason to support entrepreneurship.

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Ten traits of successful people

2008-02-09T11:49:00.000-05:00

Okay, I am not sure I love the term filthy rich, but I don't see these traits as overly greedy, especially when the first trait is patience.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/104385/Ten-Traits-That-Make-You-Filthy-Rich

How to help your company overcome a potential American recession...sell more globally! Learn how

2008-02-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

I wanted to alert you that CED's first annual Globalization conference for entrepreneurs is February 14th. The event is expected to sell out.
Please plan to make your reservations today and also share with your clients and colleagues. Look forward to seeing you there!

http://www.cednc.org/conferences/globalization/2008/agenda/index.html

Get ready for more Richard Florida, the new Canadian Clipper

2008-02-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

I was a HUGE fan of the The Rise of the Creative Class as I understood how to take the theories into action. Or more accurately, I was already working on similar theories in Charlotte and Asheville through my work with FirstRound and the Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council.

I got to know Richard over a few cold beverages in Greensboro, Austin (at the annual South by Southwest festival) and in Memphis when he personally invited me to participate in the Memphis Manifesto.

The message was not about creating a cool city or a cool state.
Just like you can not give yourself a nickname, you can't proclaim you are a cool place.
Or Miami and New Orleans would be different places with their economies.

The ability of a place to innovate through technology and profit from innovation was 75% of the T equation. This helps attract and retain talent.
But everyone focused on the tolerance and/or amount of nightlife of the Territorial assets.

I currently get a Google News Feed on Richard and the Creative Class and he is making huge waves in the Canadian Press. Richard Florida has left CMU in Pittsburgh and has also left GMU in Virginia and is now at University of Toronto.

Well, after The Flight of the Creative Class flopped as a book, here comes the next book.
The book Who's Your City will be released soon in March.
It seems to be an anti- The World is Flat book according to many early reviews.

I like both books. Mr. Friedman is VERY, VERY smart and has the respect of big time organizations such as Red Hat.

I know there is truth to the importance of place. There are places that I aspire to live and places where I hope I don't end up.

Hold on as it will either be the cold Canadian air or be full full of hot air. You choose for yourself.
http://creativeclass.com/richard_florida/books/whos_your_city/index.php?tab=special_offer

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Does the Ford 500 (or Taurus) look like Homer Simpson?

2008-01-29T16:27:00.001-05:00

Featured link of the article
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/920126ed4590bcfe547863fcf24ad48f.htm

Ford CEO and a VP say the Ford 500 , renamed the Taurus, looks like Homer Simpson.

From the article -AP and CNN.com
While speaking in Detroit this month, CEO Alan Mulally and Derrick Kuzak, head of global product development, took shots at the current Taurus, with Kuzak likening its looks to the portly, balding, doughnut-devouring Simpson.

Glad I did not buy Ford when the stock was at $8.

But I have to say I like the CEO and think he might be on the right track to cut some considerable fat at one of the original American brands.

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured link of the article.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwire/920126ed4590bcfe547863fcf24ad48f.htm

For anyone who wants to be a true leader, here is another lesson from sports.

2008-01-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://tinyurl.com/24qraw

Okay, I know some of you are not sports fans.

But Pete Carroll, head football coach of University of Southern California, gives you an insight into someone who shows the power of believing in your own code of honor, removing the sense of fear and realizing criticism means nothing if you have already been given up for dead.

Pete took USC from a school with a great past to a current college football dynasty.

Try to take the sports out of this article and look at the human side of believing in others even when those people don't look like you.

I heard about this article from LA Magazine during the college bowl season before the Rose Bowl.

Yes, it is a long article, but take my word for it, you will be a better person for reading it in full.

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured Link of the Post
http://tinyurl.com/24qraw

(*My first use of the TinyUrl.com service)

HMMM! Two BRAIN clients win Innovation Awards

2008-01-10T23:53:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/01/07/daily23.html?jst=b_ln_hl
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/road-trip.html

And people said an angel network and an entrepreneur council would NEVER EVER work in western North Carolina.

My last event as the leader of the angel network was March of 2006 and these two companies presented.

Sylvan Sport is based in Cedar Mountain , NC and Sensory Analytics has an office in Morganton, part of the BREC/BRAIN territory

What is the lesson here? Don't listen to the naysayers!

Featured link of the post
http://triad.bizjournals.com/triad/stories/2008/01/07/daily23.html?jst=b_ln_hl
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/road-trip.html

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Starting a company is more than just being the sexy CEO

2008-01-10T22:50:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://www.startupnation.com/articles/3848/1/Running-business-tasks-boomers.htm

As someone who has started two entrepreneurial councils and consulted on others, I thought this article was right on. Some entrepreneurs think being the founder/CEO is the greatest thing in the world, until they realize they are also the Chief Bottle Washer and many other unsexy titles.

Take a look at the article when you or someone you know is thinking about being an entrepreneur.

Featured link of the post
http://www.startupnation.com/articles/3848/1/Running-business-tasks-boomers.htm

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Lead by looking at your own actions first

2008-01-04T12:51:00.000-05:00

Featured Link of the Post
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20080104/bs_bw/nov2007ca20071115414954;_ylt=Altiy.uM_vOTWdD5UF5XUYWyBhIF

John Maxwell is a well known author and gives us the advice of leading by example.

Are you leading your employees by your actions or just by your words?

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured Link of the Post
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20080104/bs_bw/nov2007ca20071115414954;_ylt=Altiy.uM_vOTWdD5UF5XUYWyBhIF

Triangle adds more than the Tech T in Creative Class 4 T's

2007-12-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1226/p02s01-ussc.html

Joel Kotkin once called Raleigh "A nice place to be if you are a computer". A Nerdistan.

The Triangle of North Carolina, my new home, has recently been VERY good at the Technology T in the Tech, Talent, Tolerance and Territorial Assets of the Creative Class.

But as a new resident weary of the reputation of lack of culture, I have been pleasantly surprised with the cultural offerings. ( More than just the #1 ranked Tar Heels in basketball.)

Now my definition of culture may be different than yours, but for years of business travel to the Triangle coming from Charlotte and Asheville, I could never see the quality of restaurants offered because there is no signage visible from the roads while on my way to the hotels.

The Goodnights of SAS Software fame, (the wealthiest people in NC) have built a new five star hotel and spa in Cary.
http://www.theumstead.com/

SouthPointe has improved the quality of shopping options in the Triangle when added to CrabTree Valley and Cameron Village.

And well, I am now a golf addict. There are lots of excellent courses here and we are close to Pinehurst and a course called Tobacco Road, one of the 10 toughest in US....Anyone up for a challenge? Very affordable in winter.

And according to the featured link article, the artists are beginning to take root in the Triangle too.

Let's hope the added culture will attract more seasoned management and their spouses to the Triangle.

Featured link of the Post
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1226/p02s01-ussc.html

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

A business story of generosity towards the people who have earned the right to be helped. Is Goldman Sachs listening?

2007-12-23T12:11:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22370503/

Nebraska businesses chip in to fly soldiers home from the war.
20 business people in Nebraska raise the money to fly 40 soldiers home.
Money was raised in two days!

And how much did the guy from Goldman Sachs get in his annual bonus? ($68 million!)

Just a thought for Mr. Gordon Gecko.
(Calm down, I LOVED the movie too!)

Make it an aim to do good and do well in 2008!

Featured link of the post
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22370503/

Be part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

KMART proves branding theory

2007-12-17T08:44:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2007-12-16-light-bulbs_N.htm

Kmart shows branding really does show what people think about your company.
(Think Volvo and safety)

Kmart's new campaign shows an incandescent light bulb that talks to consumers about new bright ideas for people to buy as gifts for loved ones during the holidays.

Problem is that even Congress is considering banning the old incandescent light bulbs in favor of more "green" energy conserving Compact Fluorescent light bulbs.

From the USA Today article...
A little-noticed provision of the energy bill, which is expected to become law, phases out the 125-year-old bulb in the next four to 12 years in favor of a new generation of energy-efficient lights that will cost consumers more but return their investment in a few months.

Further proof that Kmart is out of touch with consumer wants and needs.

Featured link of the post
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/environment/2007-12-16-light-bulbs_N.htm

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Is this on your Holiday wish list?

2007-12-13T08:54:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the post
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/01/60minutes/main3442193.shtml

Two things to add to your wish list
1. A 300 foot long yacht
2. A book by the owner of the football field sized yacht.

Okay all of us can only afford the book by Tom Perkins, one of the founders of Kleiner Perkins, one of the most influential venture capital firms in the WORLD.

Valley Boy
Here is the link to buy the book for your favorite entrepreneur
http://www.amazon.com/Valley-Boy-Education-Tom-Perkins/dp/1592403131/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197554359&sr=1-1

Be Part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

An entrepreneur from my past hits the big time (Product of the Year in National Geographic Adventure Magazine)

2007-12-06T17:50:00.000-05:00

Featured link for this post
http://www.sylvansport.com/index.html

Product of the Year for National Geographic Adventure magazine
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/best-of-adventure-2008/gear/road-trip.html

From the Magazine
2. The Base Camp
Coolest. Camper. Ever. The SylvanSport GO is the camp trailer for people who've never even thought about camp trailers. Light enough to be pulled by a Mini Cooper, the GO unfolds into a Kelty tent that sleeps four and has some seven feet of headroom, screened windows, and a dining table. It also features 24 cubic feet (1 cubic meter) of internal gear storage and the ability to host a roof rack for bikes, boats, and anything else ($7,900; www.sylvansport.com).

Here is a video
http://www.advantagewest.com/about-us/multimedia.cfm/section/about

(Says it all)

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured link for this post
http://www.sylvansport.com/index.html

A new 5 layer pyramid from Richard Florida of Creative Class fame

2007-12-06T16:04:00.000-05:00

Featured Link of the Post
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2007/12/05/saporta_1206.html

An argument for a new creative age

The Midtown Alliance got a message about creativity at its annual meeting Tuesday. Richard Florida, author of "The Rise of the Creative Class," called the transformation of Midtown in the last two decades "remarkable."

Florida made a case that we're moving from the industrial age to the creative age — a change that defies the assumptions we've had about economic development.

Florida said people traditionally followed jobs, so all efforts were to get companies to locate in communities. Now jobs are moving to where employers can tap into pools of talented workers, so the thrust should be to attract the creative class.

The best people to interview are college seniors to find out where they plan to live, and why, Florida said.

In his research on how to woo this group, Florida described a pyramid with five layers. At the bottom are basic services — sewers, streets, trash pick-up, schools.

The next layer is opportunity. Does a place offer residents an opportunity to succeed? Next is leadership — does an area have strong civic participation with people who seek progress?

The top two levels were a surprise to Florida. A community needs to be tolerant and welcome diversity. And at the apex of the pyramid is "quality of place." That includes great parks, aesthetics, the arts and public spaces.

Florida said Midtown is on the right track.

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!
Featured Link of the Post
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/saporta/stories/2007/12/05/saporta_1206.html

The (CFC) light bulb moment and how you know

2007-12-05T10:10:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the day.
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2007/12/signs-you-might.html

About four months ago, I tripped across an article from this guy and have been tuning into the blog ever since.
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/business/index.html

Here is a recent post.

From Logic+Emotion

Signs You Might Be On To Something

1. You can't stop thinking about it.

2. You draw stuff with whatever materials you have available.

3. You talk about it with anyone who is willing to humor you.

4. You build different versions of it in your head.

5. You blog about it from your iPhone.

Be part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured link of the day.
http://darmano.typepad.com/logic_emotion/2007/12/signs-you-might.html

Angle on Angel Investing - Op-Ed

2007-11-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

Featured Articles of this post
The Study
http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/venture/story/2086690/

The first report from VentureBeat http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/venture/story/2038735/

With a V8 kind of thud to the head, this Kauffman commissioned study says angel investors do better when they go into deeper due diligence, invest in industries where they have experience and make a better return when they are actively involved in helping the company succeed.

An Angel Investor's thoughts-
http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/venture/story/2079811/

My thoughts from the viewpoint of a serial entrepreneur, entrepreneur network leader and former leader of an angel investor network.
http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/venture/story/2086690/

Be Part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

An example of an innovative entrepreneur creating a solution for an actual problem

2007-11-24T10:46:00.000-05:00

Featured article of this post
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/11/british-inventi.html

Why did the dot com boom go to a dot com crash?
Business plans were being funded that were solutions looking for a problem.

I am aware of this problem and now has this possible solution.
Night driving is a problem for people who have good vision.

While most solutions have been expensive new headlights for existing cars, this seems to be a good use of new technology and uses solar energy.
(By the way, Cree is a North Carolina based company that is active in the LED lighting space.)

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured article of this post
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/11/british-inventi.html

Why "Bowling Alone" hurts Gen X

2007-11-14T14:12:00.000-05:00

Featured link of the day.
http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/FreeResources/QuestionsaboutLeadership/PositiveLeadership/LawsofPositiveLeadership.aspx

I recently had a goodbye dinner with some business colleagues in the Asheville market when a person I respect said that attending Toastmasters changed his life for the better.

I have always heard about Toastmasters from people such as Jeffery Gitomer during my days in Charlotte.

But as Mr. Putnam wrote in his book Bowling Alone, people in my generation are joining fewer of the traditional clubs which is why organizations such as the Jaycees are seeing a decline in membership.

So as I am going through a career change, I began to look at options of where to network in my new home of Chapel Hill, NC. I began to think of my friend at dinner and looked up the toastmaster web site.

I found this list of leadership lessons that I thought was appropriate.

Give more than you expect others to give.
Combine optimism and perseverance.
See everyone as a diamond in the rough.
Express appreciation; accept responsibility.
Keep your ego in check.
Show respect for the people around you.
Treat team members as family.
Be a source of inspiration.
Stress cooperation, not competition.
Maintain a sense of humor.

These are admirable traits in a leader that I would want to be my mentor.

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured Link of the day:
http://www.toastmasters.org/MainMenuCategories/FreeResources/QuestionsaboutLeadership/PositiveLeadership/LawsofPositiveLeadership.aspx

A blog entry about a great entrepreneur's blog

2007-10-31T20:07:00.000-05:00

Article of the day
http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/10/serial-entrepre.html

Marc Andreessen is one of the greatest serial entrepreneurs PERIOD.

Netscape is just one of the companies he took public.

He was recently interviewed for a NY Times article I read this weekend about serial entrepreneurs .

This blog entry talks about the aspirations of someone who has already made more money than they could EVER spend.

BE PART of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Article of the day
http://blog.pmarca.com/2007/10/serial-entrepre.html

Startup hubs to prosper if they are ready

2007-10-24T08:58:00.000-05:00

Featured Article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20071022/bs_bw/oct2007sb20071019378998;_ylt=Ak2Hum8KVr09SwNxJogS8Des0NUE

Silicon Valley is not the only place where startups can prosper.

This article says entrepreneurship should be at an all time high given the current conditions.

But a business friendly city is not the same an an entrepreneurial hub.

Startup hubs must have connectors, the people who seem to know everyone that entrepreneurs need to know.

Lots of cities have all of the infrastructure in the form of facilities and bureaucracies but miss the spirit of entrepreneurship. Counting the number of heads at a networking event is NOT an entrepreneur development strategy.

Are you a connector? If not, why not?

Do you know what a connector is? If not, read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell.

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Featured Article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20071022/bs_bw/oct2007sb20071019378998;_ylt=Ak2Hum8KVr09SwNxJogS8Des0NUE

Austin's former Mayor shows you how to lead

2007-10-19T11:41:00.001-05:00

84% of people aren't living up to their potential at work?

2007-10-19T06:59:00.000-05:00

Article of the day
http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2007-10-11-workers-survey_N.htm

Okay, I know this article looks like an ad for Intuit.

But I think it shows some interesting information. 27% of these people think they don't know enough about starting/running a business. (Insert entrepreneur development pitch here...)

While Oprah is a fine role model as the first African American female billionaire, Trump is another story. Yeah, okay, I watched some of the Apprentice too. People look up to a guy who gets to be the rude bully? Who is inspired by the worst combover in history?

Interesting who is not on the list. Not Bill Gates, Mr. Packard, Michael Dell, Richard Branson, etc.

America's idea of being an entrepreneur is Donald Trump?

Any red blooded American male can read between the lines on the Hugh Hefner reference.

INTUIT SURVEY RESULTS

• 67% of Americans 'regularly' or 'constantly' think about quitting their jobs • 72% want to start their own businesses • 84% believe they'd be more passionate about work if they owned their own business • 56% are most fearful of not making enough money • 27% are most fearful of not knowing enough about starting/running a business • 66 percent of women think Oprah Winfrey is the most inspirational entrepreneur • 38 percent of men think Donald Trump is the most inspirational entrepreneur • 34 percent of men think Hugh Hefner is the most inspirational entrepreneur Survey conducted by Decipher, Inc. of Fresno California

Be part of the Solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Article of the day
http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2007-10-11-workers-survey_N.htm

Two articles on the same day show the change in US demographics

2007-10-16T07:56:00.000-05:00

Articles of the day
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/10/baby-boomer-no-.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21209301/

The two biggest generations in US history make headlines on the same day for different reasons.

Unfortunately, I am not part of either generation....

I have always been told that the greatest opportunities are created during the greatest times of change.

So opportunity is knocking, which door are you going to knock down?

80 million baby boomers beginning to retire with the greatest generational wealth in history.

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

Articles of the day
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/10/baby-boomer-no-.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21209301/

Leadership while you are young?

2007-10-11T15:56:00.000-05:00

Article of the day
BusinessWeek - 7 attributes of leadership
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20071011/bs_bw/oct2007sb20071010093227;_ylt=Ajwm3RRnNyu02.WTn3AFJ.is0NUE

Leadership in the US is in a real funk today.

True leaders that take risks get cut off at the knees for speaking their mind about solutions for real issues.

That is how administrators with no vision rise to executive positions and then people wonder why no progress is made.

I call this leadership by attrition.

People who should lead are peeled back until a layer of bland neutrality is exposed and given the title of leader.

Is a leader a true leader even if no one is following?

People can show leadership skills even at a time when they have not earned a critical mass of followers yet.

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!

BusinessWeek - 7 attributes of leadership
http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20071011/bs_bw/oct2007sb20071010093227;_ylt=Ajwm3RRnNyu02.WTn3AFJ.is0NUE

Selling Picks to the Miners

2007-05-21T12:58:00.000-05:00

I found this recent article in the USA Today about how many successful small businesses focus on selling a solution for a pain that exists in industry today.

What does "Sell Picks to the Miners" mean? Levi Strauss did not go after the gold in the Gold Rush like everyone else. He sold things gold miners needed.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2007-05-04-show-money_N.htm

What can you sell to a growing industry? What do the aging baby boomers need? 81 (or 78) million baby boomers make a VERY attractive target market.

Need proof?

Wayne Huizenga started Waste Management with ONE garbage truck! Who is Wayne Huizenga? He owns (or used to own) the Miami Dolphins!

http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/waynehuizenga.htm

Be part of the solution! Decisions are made by those who participate!