"A recent client engagement focused on a pivot strategy based on a 5 year product and service launch history. Through mapping services and their resulting characteristics to an adoption quadrant, we were able to clearly see certain trends in market selection, success rates, revenue and profit results which the client had previously not realized. How can this be an eye opener for your business endeavors?" 
Regardless of market conditions, anyone can raise internal capital. Raising internal capital requires a deep look inside operations – physical, virtual and mental. 
Certainly an obtuse correlation, but drives the point home - connectedness is critical to healthy human function.
"However, the latest indication that personal attention yields better results come from a completely different field (or pasture, to be more accurate). Research on more than 500 dairy farms in the United Kingdom showed that on farms where farmers thought it important “to know every animal in the herd” and where “cows were called by name”, the annual milk yield was 258 litres higher than on farms where this was not the case. Direct human contact and “personal attention” results in “happier” and more relaxed cows, which in turn stimulates milk production.3 So, while increased milk production may not be every leader’s primary objective, this does help make yet another case for leaders who care enough to dedicate time and energy to the needs and personal circumstances of those they’re leading!" 
Evan Williams rules are an oldie but goodie. Most of his observations apply beyond web startups. Seven years later and still applicable - a good sign of solid advice. ~Filippo Morelli 
Entrepreneurs often set out creating a business, based on their opinion, experience and from their point of view. What is usually missing is an external, unbiased filter to help guide that entrepreneur through the business process. Entrepreneurs need someone that they can rely on to provide them advice that comes from a neutral, unemotional space. Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/entrepreneurship-like-a-lesson-in-human-nature-2011-8#ixzz1Vp9HPmEv 
There’s a lot of buzz in innovation circles about the lean startup movement, which is being hailed as the next really, really big new thing in innovation. Is this hype? Or is it really new? 
"Most CEOs and business owners do “think” as and when the “time” permits. Or as and when the relentless 14-hour punishing work pace will “allow”. Our rishis and yogis did not go to the mountains for white water rafting or a walk on the mall. They needed solitude and complete detachment from daily routine to delve deep inside their sub-conscious to come up with eternal truths. In short, to rise above the obvious and beyond the established order. Call it “lateral thinking”, out-of-the-box” strategizing or xyz, but it is a 24×7 commitment ( not a yearly spurt ) for your “Rancho*” – to think uncluttered from daily operations and take a holistic view."
* Rancho is an out-of-the-box thinking character in the film, "3 Idiots". 
A very interesting rendering of startups across the country. Add your own! 
This is the first of a two-part essay I’m doing on why Lean Startups are so hard. I just completed a pilot customer site visit with a startup I’m helping through my EIR work. |
Another head-smacking moment, brought to you by page 34 in the September issue of Wired. And I quote: The mistake isn't releasing something bad. The mistake is to launch it and get PR people involved. 
While quite a treastise and focused on the Ag and Food industry, this document provides a detailed perspective on product lifecycle and market alignment. 
"We are at a time when you need to double the resolve, and double the vigor of ordinary times. Lead by example. Be the first to put yourself in danger. And with the troops that you have, I expect you to defeat double of theirs." ~Napoleon 
Adam Rifkin has an unconventional (and in his case, highly relevant) view of the business world. Pay attention to what he says. No, rather, ruminate. ~Filippo Morelli 
If we really are the world-changers that we think we are, where is the ambition to build a lasting company — a company that looks more like Meryl Streep’s career (40 years, 16 Oscar nominations, seven Golden Globe wins, etc.) than that of Snooki’s? 
Do not let the HTML 1.0 look and feel belie a sense of antiquated information. Rather, think content over cruft.
Adam Sah's web page on startups - miscellaneous advice which Adam has not read in books has been a bit of a startup bible for me. I first saw this page in 2004 - note comments on customer development, "project, product or company" ... very direct and profound commentary. ~Filippo Morelli 
"Numbers tell the story better. At the end of June 2008, the gap between the quarterly revenue of Wipro and Cognizant was a striking $383 million. Wipro was way ahead in the technology business and ..."
"So, what’s really behind Cognizant’s growth? After the company decided to invest back any margin in excess of 20% into the business way back in 1998, Francisco D’- Souza who was Cognizant’s CEO then, established what was called “two-in-a-box” structure." 
"We’re starting to close down social networks, startups in video distribution, clean tech companies. We’re also closing down a retail site. For companies selling merchandise, it’s a pretty volatile market, and this company couldn’t get traction." |
