Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 10, 2014

If you’re an early investor like I am that often means writing the first $2-3 million check into a business that previously had either survived on fumes or on a $500,000 angel round. You’re the coach, mentor, cheerleader. One of the interesting things about being a VC is that you often see companies in transition.

Startup 381

Startup Resource Venture Capital Activity 381

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 26, 2021

With some coaching and mentoring from other leaders, I was able to do it myself, so I know you can do it too, by committing to the following strategies: Train yourself to always look for positives, not negatives. Write down your top 5 core values and review them often. Never use emotion as a substitute for preparation.

Coach 137

Coach Training Satisfaction Mentor 137

Tech.Co

JULY 9, 2024

If the thought of writing a proposal is making you anxious, we also explore how AI can be used to assist with the grant-writing process. They get featured on the Shorty Award’s website and get free personalized bookkeeping coaching from Wave. Platforms like ChatGPT can also act as a useful proofreader.

ChatGPT 149

ChatGPT Writing Commerce News 149

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 7, 2022

As a mentor to young aspiring entrepreneurs , I often get asked for tips on a strategy to get started. Check out local sources for coaching and assistance. Don’t be shy about networking for advisors with business experience for coaching and mentoring. Write a business plan for your desired new business.

Startup 114

Startup Tips Coach Satisfaction 114

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

As an experienced business professional and mentor, I find that most successful peers will admit that they love what they do. Therefore, I was pleased to see some good insights and recommendations in a new book, “ Intrinsic Motivation ,” by Stefan Falk, a McKinsey & Company performance coach.

Coach 110

Coach Satisfaction Activity Startup 110

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 28, 2022

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. Brian defines an effective Court of Support as one professional coach, one accountability partner, one mentor, and six to nine group members. Methodically remove the barriers to fulfillment.

Entrepreneur 153

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 153

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 2, 2020

I have found that the process of writing down your idea, with a plan for implementation, and reviewing that plan with a business advisor, will force you to learn and acknowledge the real requirements for implementation. Create a written plan, with target milestones and metrics. Expand your own learning and knowledge by helping others.

Ideas 126

Ideas Writing Examples Outsource 126

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 7, 2010

A trophy investor is a great coach and mentor, sometimes providing the only shoulder an entrepreneur can cry on during difficult times. This mentoring can be particularly useful to the entrepreneur working through the personality issues that tend to dominate start up companies.

Entrepreneur 83

Entrepreneur Mentor Invest Angel 83

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2013

For an entrepreneur, this is often evident in the willingness to be coached, by outside experts or by your own team. Great entrepreneurs are mentors to everyone on their team. Bill Gates of Microsoft, even late in his career, wasn’t afraid to jump in and write some code to illustrate a point. Promote resilience.

Entrepreneur 104

Entrepreneur Startup Examples Ideas 104

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2012

For an entrepreneur, this is often evident in the willingness to be coached, by outside experts or by your own team. Great entrepreneurs are mentors to everyone on their team. Bill Gates of Microsoft, even late in his career, wasn’t afraid to jump in and write some code to illustrate a point. Promote resilience.

Startup 104

Startup Examples Entrepreneur Ideas 104

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 11, 2013

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. Brian defines an effective Court of Support as one professional coach, one accountability partner, one mentor, and six to nine group members. Methodically remove the barriers to fulfillment.

Entrepreneur 97

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 97

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2019

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. Brian defines an effective Court of Support as one professional coach, one accountability partner, one mentor, and six to nine group members. Methodically remove the barriers to fulfillment.

Entrepreneur 91

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 91

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 1, 2012

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. Brian defines an effective Court of Support as one professional coach, one accountability partner, one mentor, and six to nine group members. Methodically remove the barriers to fulfillment.

Entrepreneur 86

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 86

Tech Zulu Event

NOVEMBER 7, 2013

We have three main components: education, mentoring, and practice. In mentoring, we match experienced angel investors with, what I like to call them, “angels-in-training” so they can share the lessons learned. For me, it’s very much showcasing that angel investing is not just writing a check, it’s so much more.

Mentor 84

Mentor Invest Entrepreneur Startup 84

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 6, 2016

For leaders, this is often evident in the willingness to be coached, by outside experts or by your own team. Great leaders are mentors to everyone on their team. Bill Gates of Microsoft, even late in his career, wasn’t afraid to jump in and write some code to illustrate a point. Check your ego at the door (and keep it there).

Examples 76

Examples Startup Coach Patents 76

Tech Zulu Event

AUGUST 28, 2012

I met with a lawyer, talked to an investor and a few mentors, all who are serial entrepreneurs to advise me. But a wise mentor of mine said, “Go with your gut! It’s amusing at the very least when I share this story to my mentors, advisors and peers. Interesting offer considering he did nothing. LESSONS AND LAUGHS.

Startup 100

Startup Ideas San Diego Mentor 100

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 12, 2017

Write down the “ what” of your vision, but let go of “ how” it will be achieved; you can’t control the precise manner, form, or timing. Brian defines an effective Court of Support as one professional coach, one accountability partner, one mentor, and six to nine group members. Methodically remove the barriers to fulfillment.

Entrepreneur 55

Entrepreneur Coach Satisfaction Mentor 55

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Starting in 2009 I began writing checks consistently, year-in and year-out. I had realized that I didn’t have it within me to be as good of a player as many of them did but I had the skills to help as mentor, coach, friend, sparing partner and patient capital provider.

Venture Capital 466

Venture Capital Startup Marketing Pricing 466

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 23, 2015

So part of playing an effective coach is helping the team to see the answer for themselves. Fred has of course been a public mentor to us all with his market-defining terminology that he popularized including “freemium” and “mobile first.” I remember writing about online video nearly 5 years ago.

Venture Capital 150

Venture Capital Startup Writing Blogging 150

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

I finally got around to writing it having read Fred Wilson’s post about what a CEO does. If you want to retain the best talent you have to be able to devolve power, coach people for performance, resolve conflicts, find ways to create growth opportunities, balance carrot / stick motivational techniques, etc.

Venture Capital 319

Venture Capital Startup Sales Customer 319

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 25, 2013

In the original version of his post, Andy writes. And Coach Campbell. I’ve heard directly from top executives that Jeff Bezos (in my opinion the most talented person in the tech industry) has received his fair share of VC coaching in the early years. They see how hard she does her job. Not according to my sources.

Venture Capital 374

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Invest Funding 374

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2015

I’ve tried over the years to write many times about the realism of the downsides of being an entrepreneur because there is a complete cognitive dissidence between what you read about yourself in the press and what you feel internally about where you’re at in the journey. Advisors / Coaches / Mentors.

Press 150

Press Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneur 150