Change: how to ensure change is accepted

If you want people to change here are a few tips:

- Involve them. in understanding the problem, in finding the solution and implementing it.
- Accept their emotions.   It's ok, it's part of the progress of changing.  Sometimes better ideas will come out of trying to understand why you don't like this new project.
- Be creative: Changing doesn't always mean adding more, sometimes it can be doing differently, or doing less.
- Walk the talk: There is nothing like peer pressure, example from management and corporate  incentives that match the expected behaviours.

This is a great text about how to get people to change

Innovation - Where do ideas come from?

We all have this fantasy of the great idea coming up to us, suddenly in our shower or, like Archimedes in his bath.  We often tend to think that ideas come for an Eureka! moment.

What if, ideas actually come from a longer process, that they are born as hunches that slowly grow?  Maybe it would

Steve Johnson, author of the Book "Where great ideas are born", as an interesting point of view on this:

So, keep these incomplete ideas in a notebook you carry around, or on a file on your computer, or a sticky note on your wall.  You never know, what may seem like an unfeasible and unfinished idea today, could be a genius idea when the time is ripe.

You Always Need a Portion of Luck

Luck can be interpreted n many ways, but whichever your definition is, you always need a portion of it when venturing on business. One of the best ways how to describe this as follows:

"In the same way we oversimplify success as being very personal, a direct result of our herculean efforts and intellects, we treat business failure as equally personal. It failed because of us. Because we didn’t work hard enoug

h, didn’t come up with an idea good enough, just weren’t smart enough to make a success of it.

It didn’t. Once you’ve been around people who’ve started a business or two, you realise that’s all just nonsense. Starting a business is more art than science. More guesswork than knowledge. More optimism than rationalism. There is no blueprint. It’s a lot about hard work. It’s a lot about adaptability. It’s a lot about encouraging serendipity, more commonly known as being in the right place, at the right time. It’s a lot about luck. Luck is to business, what foreplay is to sex – while not strictly mandatory it sure makes the ride smoother." - from Venture Beat at "Why Winning Is Not Our Natural State" article.

Read more

18 Success Tips From Richard

I tend to post tips from Sir Richard Branson. The reason isn't other than, as him, I believe an entrepreneur must enjoys her life as much she enjoys doing businesses. For me, mixing pleasure and business is my ultimate combination. Doing business for money results empty, while enjoying doing business it's a living. 

Here are the latest business SUCCESS tips from Richard that are worth to consider:

1. Don't do it if you don't enjoy it.
2. Be visible.
3. Choose your name wisely.
4. You can't run a business without taking risks.
5. The first impression is everything. So it is the second.
6. Perfection is unattainable.
7. The customer is always right, most of the time.
8. Define your brand.
9. Explore uncharted territory.
10. Beware the "us vs. them" environment.
11. Build a corporate comfort zone.
12. Not everyone is suited to be CEO.
13. Seek a second opinion. Seek a third.
14. Cut ties without burning bridges.
15. Pick up the phone.
16. Change shouldn't be feared, but it should be managed.
17. When it comes to making mistakes, bounce back, don’t fall down.
18. Be a leader, not a boss.

Read more:

Keeping Your Cool

As orchestra director of your business you will have many tough moments. A harsh discussion with your staff or receiving tough criticism from your board of directors. You will need also to let go people or fire a supplier. Your clients will complain without merit and competition will trash out you and your company in public. But remember that this is business and there are things far important starting with your family and friends. Don't let anything related to business affect you in a way you aren't. In any given moment try to keep your COOL.

Raising Capital

Any entrepreneur will need to ask for money to someone, be personal contacts or institutional. Here are some good tips from Erick M. Jackson on the process to do it and important elements to consider:

1. Structure your rise right.
2. Prepare key documents.
3. Put your network to work.
4. Meet new people.
5. Don't break the law.
6. Start the process now.

Read more

Teamwork A Must

In business like sports success depends on the even quality and effort of the team. You need to develop a collaborative environment within your business. A place where everyone is responsible and accountable for its contribution, but also where they are engaged and aware on the common goal of the company. You need to trust people working with you and expect they will accomplish their part the best they can. 


There isn't best example on teamwork and effective collaboration as the way APPLE works. Here is Steve Jobs talking about it: 

An Effective Presentation

As an entrepreneur or business professional results key doing effective presentations about your venture or the company you represent. Here are some great tips from Neil Patel one of my favorite startups pitchers and

 named as one of the top web influencers according to the Wall Street Journal:

1. Don't abuse your visuals
2. Look at your audience
3. Show your personality
4. Make them laugh
5. Talk to your audience, not at them
6. Be honest
7. Don't over prepare
8. Show some movement
9. Watch what you say
10. Differentiate yourself

Read more

Be Fearless

The ONE thing the successful entrepreneurs I know have in common is that they aren't afraid. They don't fear: 

making decisions; 
doing mistakes; 
losing their money; 
asking for it; 
getting help; 
going out their comfort zones; 
risk; 
working very hard; 
living with nothing; 
challenging the usual; 
pursuing ideas; 
being criticized; 
talking to people; 
saying no; 
change; 
and ultimately TRYING.

Refilling Your Energy

Owing a business demands a lot from your physical energy. Like sports you need to put in significant energy to be in good form. Therefore, it is extremely important to set time apart, where you shut down everything to recharge your batteries. 

When doing so, it helps going to places far from urban activity and where you can get the less human contact possible. This way your mind holds the minimum day-to-day data. In this condition, you will be able to see the big picture again. Thinking clearly on what is working or not. So when you come back to take the business reins, you can do it with an improved strategy and your energy fully recharged to implement it.

Talking to Clients

Either is a "cold call" or a face-to-face meeting it's very important talk effectively with clients. Today this process becomes more challenging as we are bombarded with information from all the sources available. Therefore, the attention spam you get is short. In my experience consider these:

1. Talk with simple words. Avoid technical jargon. 

2. Focus on the message you want to deliver. Don't over talk.

3. Be yourself. If you get comfortable talking, the other part will be as well.

4. Be polite. Respect is everything when it comes to human interaction.

5. Use examples to explain what you are saying. Keep them simple as a six-year-old would understand.

6. Don't be shy asking questions or encourage them.

7. Listen when your client is talking. Make sure you understand.

Increase Your Creativity

In a world that we feel everything has been invented, creativity is important to generate innovation in your business. It is not necessary to develop the next new thing, but creativity is required on approaching to your customer

s, delivering your product or service, or even solving a problem. There are several ways to enhance your inner genius to become more creative. Like physical exercise you need to work it out. Here are some tips to do it:

1. Think like a child.
2. Encourage your inner artist.
3. Explore the unconventional.
4. Practice a lot.

Read more: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/living-well/articles/2010/12/02/4-ways-to-unleash-your-creative-genius

An Effective Business Plan

As mentioned in past postings, writing a business plan results essential when starting or reshaping your venture. It should be clear and simple enough, so anyone from your investors, employees and yourself would easily follow. In my experience there are five essential elements you must include:

1. Define your product or service on simple words.
2. Identify your customers - explain why they will buy or acquire it.
3. Explain how you will make money - define your business model.
4. Explain how you will reach your customers - describe your marketing strategy.
5. Insert the best and worst expected financial scenarios you can calculate - get help on this one if you can.

Making Great Decisions

As an entrepreneur mistakes are unavoidable. But mistakes should allow you to become a better decision maker. Richard Branson, the ultimate entrepreneur, provides us with some important tips to make Great Decisions:

1. Trust your instincts.

2. Focus on your customers, not your critics.
3. Always support your team.
4. Know when to say goodbye.

Read more

Human Factors to Avoid in Business

In business like in life none has the future guaranteed. No matter how successful your business gets you need to keep it on its toes. There are three human factors that you shall avoid when doing business:

1. Arrogance
2. Pride
3. Getting cocky

The case of Research in Motion (BlackBerry) is the clearest example of this. From becoming the fastest growing smartphone manufacturer to the fastest slumping one. The CEOs killed its success believing none couldn't take them from their perch. Until real genius and technology innovator Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone to the world.

"RIM was losing its grip on the enterprise and consumer markets, but the company's management was still in denial. In the fall of 2010, Balsillie and Lazaridis called the sales team in to discuss RIM's roadmap, including plans to launch an iPad competitor, the PlayBook. "Mike came in to that sales meeting about as arrogant as you could be," says a former RIM executive. "The feeling at that time was that we were substantially behind Apple in the smartphone category. But he had no doubt that we would succeed given the products we had coming." The Playbook was a disastrous flop." 

Read more

The Right Business Partner

Choosing right partners for a business venture is extremely difficult. I had many partners on past businesses with mixed results and some simply to forget. Partnerships can be very frustrating and can result immensely expensive. I have now several rules that I apply on the process to partner on business:

1. Addition. Your partners must add value to your venture. Either provide resources 

you don't have or expertise. Partners should have complementary skills. Be good on areas you aren't and you can't hire.

2. Values. You can have partners from different backgrounds. But they must have similar values than you. A greedy person will always be thinking on taking you out at the first opportunity. Someone that doesn't value his friends or family won't value the business partnership. Find someone with your same moral compass.

3. Vision. If you are thinking short term or long term find partners that have the same vision for the business than you. Having two different visions in the same project always leads to failure.

4. Expectations. Set the right and same expectations for the business with your partners before even before consider this option. Nothing worst that expecting different results from the same thing.

5. Time. Take your time and study every single angle of your future partnership. Consider hiring as a first option. Partner exclusively if you can't do it or grow without them. Try to think in the best and worst scenarios of this. Put everything on a contract, including and most importantly, the terms to finish the relationship.

Starting Your Own Business

Picking up a business to start is a real challenge. I have failed numerous times doing so. I always recommend starting on your own before partnering. Here are some important things to consider when starting your business from scratch:

1. Develop something you enjoy doing. Better if you feel passionate about it.

2. Find the ways to earn money with it. Do a simple business plan.

3. Start from home and with the basic but good tools. Don't over spend.

4. Pick up a name that is catchy and reflects what you do. Ask for feedback.

5. Buy its domain and incorporate your business. Study types of incorporation.

6. Create its identity with a web site and social media. Don't forget business cards.

7. Do a realistic sales plan with the lowest of expectations. Profits will take time.

8. Execute your plan and adjust it as goes. Things never happen as planned.

9. Get a good business advisor, an accountant, and a lawyer. Listen to them.

10. Be open for everyone's opinions but trust your guts. Be firm but not stubborn.

The Art Of Selling

Any entrepreneur must learn to sell. Without having the ability to sell, your success chances are low. I used to hate selling because I didn't know how to do it. The Art of Selling is something you can learn and eventually master. Like any sport takes time and lots of practice. 

Here are some critical elements you need to consider when selling that work for me:

1. Find what is unique on your product or service and talk about it. This will be your value proposition.

2. Find what disadvantages your product or service has and be prepared to respond.

3. When talking to potential clients don't hesitate when pitching. Be passionate about it.

4. Follow your meetings with emails or by phone whatever you judge is less annoying for your target.

5. Always make sure on the reception of quotes or any other important documents.

6. Look for face-to-face meetings as much as you can. Lunch, dinner, golf applies.

7. Know your targets and identify their hidden worries. Human perspective is extremely important to close a deal.

8. Be strong but always keep courtesy and good humor.

9. We all have the NO guaranteed. So don't fear rejection. Walk in as if they were already your customers.

10. Remember to find the right timing and keep the momentum as much as you can. These two can be your best or worst friends on trying to close the deal.

Working From Home

As entrepreneur, I've been working from home more time than in a regular office over 15 years now. Today is more common to do it and modern communications make it easier than never. Things that allow me to this effectively are the following:

1. Designate a working space. From a desk to a complete room that can be and feel as "your office". Invest on a filing cabinet, a good size desk and a co

mfortable chair.

2. Discipline. You need to assign yourself a schedule. The advantage of working from home is the ability to combine personal and professional activities that can't be done working from a regular office. However you need to keep it separate on an standard routine.

3. Tools. Invest on a good laptop or tablet that supports communication technologies such as video conferencing (Skype), roaming (USB card) and compatible with your smartphone so you can keep your working schedule and to-do-lists on multiple devices. Also invest on a good data plan for your phone and Internet wireless service from your cable supplier.

4. Enjoy it. I am always dressed on comfy clothes, sometimes check my stuff laying on my bed or at my terrace. On "coffee breaks" I do personal stuff from laundry to go out to run home errands. I have my kitchen available for my favorite coffee or snacks. When my kids arrive home, I assign a complete "hour meeting" to ask them how was school and make sure they will do their homework while I finish my day "at work".

Entrepreneur Personality

An entrepreneur usually have number of personality traits. Ben Yoskovitz at Startup Spark gives 10 ways to know if you’re an entrepreneur. It doesn’t mean you have to meet every items on the list, but they definitely give you some head start or edges from other entrepreneur:

1. You’re passionate.
2. You’re always looking for opportunities.
3. You always think to yourself, “I can do that better.”

4. You want to live your work.
5. You’re dreaming miles ahead while focused on what you’re doing right now.
6. You’re an ego-maniac.
7. You’re prepared to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.”
8. You’re a strategist.
9. You’re a builder.
10. You want control.

PASSION is the most important aspect. If you are passionate on the stuff you create, the higher chances you will live your work, and always look for improvements and opportunities to extend your passion.

Business Focus

The sum of your total efforts needs to be bigger than those individually. By saying NO to things that individually are great but in the sum don't add on, you will be able to generate great products or services. This is an effective management principal.

"Focusing is about SAYING NO" - Steve Jobs, Apple Inc.

Business Patience

In business, you need to deal with the fact that few things go according to plan. Even if you are working hard and active towards the goals set. Only over time the big results will arrive. Letting time doing its work is always wise. Try to 

avoid quitting temptations during offsets nor getting desperate when things get tough. They always will.

3 tips to develop PATIENCE in business:

1. Even if your ultimate goal is big. Set smaller goals towards it. This way you are able to reach this big goal as a sum of more attainable and realistic results. Go step by step.

2. Mistakes and offsets will happen. Learn the lesson but move fast. Remember, businesses are similar to a boxing match. There are several rounds and you lose some. However, they last only 3 minutes and you can't be down for more than 10 seconds. So go up and keep fighting.

3. You can't have control over all things. When you feel overwhelmed put everything aside and do something you really enjoy doing (that has nothing to do with business). Having a hubby and life other than business is truly important. It helps you keeping your cool.

Business Flow

Doing LESS and not MORE helps to maintain the necessary FLOW for your business to progress. The important thing is to focus on key things and let the rest to others. You need to concentrate on what has more impact on your business and that you do better. By doing so, you also don't saturate your mind and remains clear to make quick and good decisions.

Roger Hamilton explains:

Passion Is Basic

There are many elements discussed on what it makes a business successful. Among those, having PASSION for what you do or what your business is about, it is the basic element. I have failed on business when done for the wrong reasons. Worst those done for the money as the only objective. But when you feel passionate about what you do or you really enjoy doing a specific business, then success comes as consequence of it. 

None better has described the importance to feeling passion or enjoying a business as Steve Jobs:

Asking For Help

For many reasons, including insecurity issues, people tend to avoid asking for help. If you want to become a successful entrepreneur is very important that you leave any issues you might have, be shameless, and ask for help. Your worst scenario is getting a NO, which you already have from the beginning. However, receiving the right help, can even be the difference between success and failure. 

Here is Steve Jobs talking about his experience on asking for help, and his fearless attitude towards failure.

Learning From Failure

Failing is an Important, unavoidable and critical ingredient to success. When it happens, move on fast but learn the lesson. Scenarios always repeat and you will know what to do next time under the same circunstances. Don't feel bad. Its part of the game and everyone fails in business more than once. Even the most successful.

Here is Richard Branson, my favourite entrepreneur, talking about failure, how to face it and learn from it:

Common Sense A Vital for Business

COMMON SENSE is the most important human quality you can use in business. Over twenty years of experience working and doing businesses, I have seen very educated and intelligent people doing terrible business decisions for the lack of it. If you want to decrease your risk on any venture, try to use your common sense as much as you possibly can. 

Here is a great advice on this topic from successful and celebrated British entrepreneur Nick Wheeler.