The Leap

"Do something you believe in, keep your ego in check, and never give up"

This is a great story highlighted in the Wall Street Journal about an entrepreneur with a dream to serve his customers and do things the right way!  Gary Erickson, the founder and CEO of Clif Bar, has great insight in this article saying "Grow slow to grow better." What a great concept. He wanted to make sure to stay true to his core values and doing things the right way and he was willing to sacrifice quick growth to make sure to maintain those standards. We have all seen many companies and owners that are more concerned with quick profits and growth through questionable mergers and acquisitions which took their focus off product quality and thus the company faltered. How about crazy product promotions that end up hurting the customer and tarnish your brand and image?  Once you stray away from your core values and doing what is right it is hard to get back on track. Gary Erickson has a passion for his product and serving his customers and the results speak for themselves.  His company has been blessed with years of continual organic growth and he has refused to sell out.  Because of this he is recognized as a leader in his industry.  This is a good reminder to do things the right way.  Build your company with foundational values of treating your employees well and giving your best to the customer and you always have a successful business.

Is a business plan worth the time?

As an entrepreneur do you need to spend the time and money researching and developing a business plan? This Wall Street Journal article title "Are Business Plans A Waste of Time?" by ROSALIND RESNICK  helps answer that question for you!

13 of the Brightest Tech Minds Sound Off on the Rise of the Tablet

13 of the Brightest Tech Minds Sound Off on the Rise of the Tablet

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Forget the opinion poll...live your life!

I love how Seth ends this blog post.  Safe IS risky but so many people continue to take opinion polls with those around them on how they live their life.  If you have done a fantastic job surrounding yourself with people you admire, respect, and trust, and who are proven leaders in their given field upon which you are seeking advice that is not a bad idea.  However, some are not that lucky and are getting advice from those who shouldn't be offering it.  Seek out the experts, get their advice, weigh it and make your decision.  For the masses in your life that basically take up the role as onlookers....forget about them.  You don't want their advice and their opinions at the end of the day have little value to you.  Seth says "safe is risky" and I will add it also isn't much fun.

If I did the safe thing I wouldn't be climbing mountains.  I would not have started the 7 Summit Challenge to help the Autism Society, Alzheimer’s Association, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  And you know what, I'd be missing out on doing something I am passionate about, helping a lot of great people and organizations in the process, and having the adventure of a lifetime.  Safe isn't much fun and in the entrepreneurial world it isn't rewarded either.

I met a guy this weekend in Little Rock who was full of energy.  His girlfriend sat nearby and mingled with mutual friends and you could tell he was in love.  When I learned he was from Minnesota I asked how he came to live in Little Rock.  He told me the story about how he had a chance meeting with his girlfriend and after one date went home, quit his job, and picked up and moved to Little Rock.  He said everyone in his life thought he was crazy. You know what, he happens to be one of the happiest people I have seen in a long time.  I love that type of courage and commitment.  Crazy?  I don't think so.  His story is the stuff movies are made of and the world is full of people who won't like him because he lives his life with courage and it highlights their lack thereof.  Don't take opinion polls to live your life and you'll be surprised to see where you end up going!

Think Different!

Seth Godin has a fantastic post on his blog today. Here is the link. I think his point of thinking differently is a key ingredient to entrepreneurial success. How many times have we heard a friend or peer tell someone “Just work harder” as if their failure to accomplish a task was because they were not trying hard enough? Maybe that was the case but what happens when they are giving 100% and the results continue to be the same? Author Alan Webber in his book Rules of Thumb list this as rule number six, “If you want to see with fresh eyes reframe the picture.”

This fresh perspective can help us as we tackle challenges in our personal or professional lives. I have also found this to be a key ingredient when working with start ups and new ventures. Being able to analyze the current landscape and understand what is working and what is not is the key to seeing massive potential all around you.  When we are stuck in the mindset of “just work harder” we see the current system as perfect with no potential for improvement.  People who are profiting from the current system don't want change.  They want you to think that the problem is your fault.  Just work harder.  Maybe that is true but maybe not. Maybe the system needs to change?   If “just work harder” had been the mind set of Larry Page and Sergey Brin I doubt they would have seen the potential and created GOOGLE and today as I am researching a new product for my company I would be carrying stacks of books at a library instead of doing all the work in my home office.  I think entrepreneurs are the hardest workers I know, but they also subscribe to this quote as well, "Don't work harder, work smarter!"

Apple vs. GM: Ayn Rand knew the difference. Do you?

Apple vs. GM: Ayn Rand knew the difference. Do you?

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