I had the great fortune of working for three highly successful entrepreneurs. They have many cross-over leadership traits. See the twenty simple lessons from these three exceptional entrepreneurs on leadership, mangement, building great teams, business strategy, motivating employees and fast execution.

1. from
Lessons
Learned3 exceptional entrepreneurs
©2013 DIX&POND
Leadership

2. I’m extremely lucky.
I worked for 3 exceptionally successful
entrepreneurs.
They were amazing leaders and
mentors.
They taught me invaluable lessons.
©2013 DIX&POND

3. Now, I help others.
I find myself teaching their lessons.
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4. They are famous in their fields.
Here are 20 of their many great lessons.
(I’ll tell you who they are at the end.)
©2013 DIX&POND

5. See the future.
All of the
entrepreneurs had
forward vision for
the next big thing.
©2013 DIX&POND

6. Plan to grow.
None of the
entrepreneurs
thought small.
©2013 DIX&POND

7. Make a plan.
Be strategic and
plan how you can
actually get there.
©2013 DIX&POND

8. Don’t be a slave to the plan.
Execution is time batter spent, than
reviewing and documenting the plan.
©2013 DIX&POND

9. Have laser focus.
Don’t get romanced by
pet projects.
“Look for the
sweet spots and
go after them.”
©2013 DIX&POND

10. Take calculated risks.
They all were risk takers, because
they believed in themselves.
©2013 DIX&POND

11. Don’t look for obstacles.
“Just get the
order, then we
will figure out how
to make it!”
©2013 DIX&POND

12. Prevent
bureaucracy.
Don’t hold a lot of
meetings.
Overly democratic
organizations don’t
get anything done.
©2013 DIX&POND

13. Be decisive.
All of the
entrepreneurs
made quick
decisions in
the interest of
forward motion.
©2013 DIX&POND

14. Act quickly.
“How quickly can
we get a test in
the stores?”
©2013 DIX&POND

15. Hire the best people.
“Hire the best
people money
can buy!”
©2013 DIX&POND

16. See potential.
They never held
an ambitious person
back because of
gender or educational
background.
©2013 DIX&POND

17. Motivate with
positive
reinforcement.
“You are smart,
you can do it!”
©2013 DIX&POND

18. Trust people to do their jobs.
None of the entrepreneurs
micro-managed.
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19. Hold people
accountable.
Never accept
mediocrity.
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20. Reward
excellence
handsomely.
They were all
very generous.
©2013 DIX&POND

21. Communicate.
Tell your employees
what is going on.
©2013 DIX&POND

22. Have integrity.
“You never get in
trouble by doing
the right thing.”
©2013 DIX&POND

23. Value design.
They saw great
design as a key
business driver.
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24. Love what you do.
All of the entrepreneurs loved their
work and killed it everyday.
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25. The entrepreneurs - #1:
Martin Trust, Boston, MA - Sometimes referred to as the
“godfather of women’s apparel importing”. Founder & president
Mast Industries, the premier sourcing division L Brands
(formerly Limited Brands). Early investor Staples, Inc., longtime
board member. Partner, The Boston Red Sox. Philanthropist.
Sloan alum. Recently dedicated Martin Trust Center for
Entrepreneurship at MIT – Brilliant, razor sharp focus, tireless.
Worked with him 16 years.
©2013 DIX&POND

26. #2:
Robert Lurie, Brookline, MA - Highly successful founder,
president Susan Bristol, Inc.. Often referred to as the “finest
gentleman ever in the apparel industry”. Boston University alum.
Focused, visionary, kind, networker. Proved good guys finish
first. Worked with him 5 years.
©2013 DIX&POND

27. #3:
Elkin McCallum, Tyngsboro, MA - Legendary owner of Joan
Fabrics and was one of the largest owners of home textile mills
in America. Bold, risk taker, contra-investor. Philanthropist.
Bentley alum. In 2000, Bentley University changed the name of
their grad school to the Elkin B. McCallum Graduate School of
Business. Worked with him 3 years.
©2013 DIX&POND

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