Watching Grass Grow
As a founder of several companies, I’ve become acutely aware of my ‘idea horizon,’ meaning, the time between when I have an idea and when it becomes a market reality. With Ping, the original vision to build the VISA of identity was likely 12-14 years early. Ouch. Several venture funded companies could sequentially starve waiting...
Ironic
Got an email from a friend asking me to install a new iPhone-to-iPhone chat program called “Ping!” Now I know I’ve been in technology too long.
From Startup to Real Company
As start-ups mature, many fail to transition in how they deal with decisions. When you’re strapped for cash, you don’t always have the luxury of thinking through the full-cost of your actions. You are essentially forced to compromise, opting for the short term gain, and pushing the full cost of your decision into the future...
Erase Your Debt
It’s a slow day in a little East Texas town. The sun is beating down, and the streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and everybody lives on credit…..
On this particular day a rich tourist from back east is driving through town. He stops at the motel and lays a $100...
14199
Assuming I live to 80, 14199 is the number of days I have left on Earth. Doesn’t look like much when you look at it that way, and that’s ASSUMING I live to 80, which is a pretty big assumption. Thanks Chris for sharing this way of thinking.
Innovation
Another great quote from my EO forum yesterday while on the topic of mentors and finding people to help you build your business.
* 99% of everything has been done before by someone. You just need to find them and ask them to help you.
* The other 1% is innovation. No-one can help you with...
Creating Wealth
Scott Davis, one of my EO brothers had a great quote last night.
1. Concentrate your position to create wealth.
2. Diversify your position to protect wealth.
I don’t know that I’ve quite appreciated the beauty and simplicity of these state...
Balancing Extremes
One of the hardest things to do as a CEO is to determine where in the shades of gray to land between long-term and short term, between strategic goals and tactical mandates. And how to change the mix as the market changes, resources change and competitive situations change.
I’ve heard two great quotes which summarize...
Berkonomics
Dave Berkus was one of my first mentors, and was an investor and board member of my first company, Durand Communications (circa 1993-1998). Dave is a true entrepreneur, who’s been coaching and mentoring entrepreneurs for the bulk of his professional career. His practical advice and pattern recognition on what it takes to succeed in business...
Measuring Success
A new email acquaintance asked me a fairly profound question the other day, “how do I measure success?” I found myself introspective and realizing that my answer depended on the context of course, but also realizing that my answer has changed with the years.
Recently, I find myself keeping score differently. I’m evaluating my contribution...
A long ways to go…
Over the weekend, I got a call from a very close friend who is on the verge of losing his home. I have several other friends who are on the brink of their own financial meltdown. I have other friends in the commercial real estate sector who confirm for me everything I’ve been hearing about...
