My Kingdom for a Meeting!

LIke all startups we face the challenges of finding time, getting funding, making the right contacts and so on. All are necessary to executing on our great ideas.

However, the one thing that has become of paramount importance to us recently is getting a meeting.

Where did the time go?

Apologies to my (few) readers. I have committed one of the cardinal sins of running a business - poor time management and allocation of resources.

What If It Doesn't Work..?

My response to this question is usually, "...but what if it does?!"

I have sat across the table from a number of people while on this journey and been amazed that the question about success or failure is frankly always about the potential for failure.

My Precious

Someone once told me that a start-up business is 10% idea and 90% execution. Whether that is scientific or otherwise, there are certainly many entrepreneurs out there that, like the infamous character Gollum in Lord of the Rings, prefer to hide away, deep underground, quietly polishing their idea and gazing upon it fondly.

Document Everything...

I once worked with a company that helped troubled businesses turn around or successful businesses prepare for sale. A recurring theme when they reviewed such businesses was that they rarely had complete documentation that could explain to a prospective buyer what  they did, who was responsible, how everything worked, etc. The end result was often a lowering of the final valuation and ultimately a loss to those exiting the organisation.

Is it Legal?

One thing I wish I had done earlier was establish the legal structure of the company and select legal representation. That's not to say that delaying the choice has caused any major problems but in hindsight choosing sooner could have yielded some very useful benefits and possibly accelerated the whole process.

Team Player

It is simply impossible to execute a startup business on your own. There aren't enough hours in the day. You probably already have job or are running a business, doing the thing that keeps the lights on while you dream about bringing your great idea to fruition. You need help...