Starting a small business can be tough. Here's a few thoughts on everything from knowing yourself, to practical tools, to contracts. Slides are general, contact me with questions.

1. Un-Sucking The Start-Up
...and other thoughts for business pioneers

2. 00 Know Thyself
‣ introspect
‣ success
‣ fear / failure
‣ be a finisher

3. 01 True Value
‣ ideas vs. value
‣ know thy market
‣ differentiation
‣ wait for it...

4. 02 Sales as Advocacy
‣ people first
‣ money is (not) the object
‣ a following
‣ emotional brand

5. 03 Growth Through
Integrity
‣ referral business
‣ the speed of web
‣ lying is exhausting

6. 04 Hoard Good Advice
‣ pursue the wise
‣ perspective(s)
‣ naysayers
‣ left turns

7. 04 Building the Team
‣ timing, timing,
timing
‣ cover your
weaknesses first
‣ equity vs. salary

8. 04 Systems and Software
‣ 90% of less
‣ minimize
workarounds
‣ agility and overhead:
use the cloud

9. ‣ CRM ‣ Messaging & ‣ Accounting & ‣ Project
Collaboration Billing Management

10. ‣ Full ERP ‣ Email ‣ File Storage & ‣ Online
Marketing Backup Meetings

11. ‣ Presentations ‣ Forms and ‣ Blogging & Social
Feedback Media

12. 05 Capital is King
‣ bootstraps
‣ cash ramp
‣ understand sales
cycle
‣ operational cycles
‣ last resort: vc’s

13. 06 Work/Life
‣ always more to do
‣ entrepreneur !=
workaholic
‣ productivity of rest

14. 07 Cover Your Butt
‣ there will be jerks
‣ contract versions
‣ moving fast?
consistent process

15. 08 Level Up
‣ gateway deal
‣ tap into network
‣ big picture break
‣ there is no spoon

16. 09 Spread the Word
‣ alternatives to ads
‣ mavens
‣ search
‣ be social
‣ pr

17. Thank You
...questions?