(cont) ... The end of the track sessions which coincides with the end of
this reflection report couldn’t have had a better ending, except the one I
experienced during the last mentoring lecture hosted by Sean Killeen[1].
Sean brought a magnificent and novel flavor in the class and I consider his
contribution simply amazing. Honesty, sincerity, clear and focused ideas, sharing
experience and not being afraid to admit having made mistakes during his
entrepreneurial voyage, the role of his family and friends and the
psychological crusade he went through before starting, delivered an emotional
presentation for which I am thankful to him. I was stunned by his way of
wanting to move to something new, not following but creating rules and always
being in pursuit for new challenges. Every single slide and word of Sean’s
presentation has been a total apocalypses for me, but the ultimate thing that I
will keep is the fact that entrepreneurship is a club of terror. It is a
terrifying experience, with no - one to share your fears, consisting of high
points and low points of entrepreneurial terror and basically it is like living
with the monster which is fear. However, he acknowledged that this club
is valid for both winners and losers. An entrepreneur is someone who has to
carry the cross for the others, nonetheless, this club of Terror is exclusive
and we are all welcomed!
Sean was kind enough to recommend some further reading but he
sincerely said that “… books are only to augment your ideas. The need to
become an entrepreneur and to take a step forward is inherent within you. You
will never be fully prepared. In order to live your dream you must go out there
and fight for it”.
One of the books he recommends is “The Business Battlecard” by Paul
O’Dea who uses five simple, but crucial questions, so as to help the reader
craft a winning strategy to grow the company and rally the team. Another interesting
book, co-authored by Paul, is “Select Selling”. The content is similar
to the first, but with more focus on the sales activity. A classic for startups
is Guy Kawasaki’s “The Art of the Start”. This is a book that I have
started reading a while ago and it is definitely a must for any scholar of
entrepreneurial studies. Kawasaki, former marketing maven of Apple Computer,
delves into some issues everyone faces when starting or revitalizing any
undertaking. Some fundamental questions include:
- What does it take to turn ideas into action?
- What are the elements of a perfect pitch?
- How do you win the war for talent?
- How do you establish a brand without bucks?
The book gives the essential steps to launch great products, services, and
companies. It also shows managers how to unleash entrepreneurial thinking at
established companies, helping them foster the pluck and creativity that their
businesses need to stay ahead of the pack. Kawasaki provides readers with Ideas
for Starting Things including his field-tested insider's techniques for
bootstrapping, branding, networking, recruiting, pitching, rainmaking, and,
most important in this fickle consumer climate, building buzz.
Another good reading is “Crossing the Chasm” by Geoffrey Moore
which, based on worldwide reviews, is considered the bible for bringing
cutting-edge products to progressively larger markets. Last but not least
another interesting reading is “The New Venture Adventure” by Ueli
Looser and Bruno Schlapfer which aims at helping the reader through the first
stage of starting up an innovative, high-growth company.
Closing Remarks
To look for something new is not easy. To feel the need to contribute to
something different and make a change in life is not easy. However, it is
better to try rather than regretting of not trying. The magic of being given
the chance to do what you really want in your life is something that cannot be
valued. All the people that I had the chance to meet share one common element:
the inner feeling to change, to bestow, to share, to challenge, to shape their
future and not compromise. People who are not attracted by certainty and
easiness, but always pushing themselves to move forward, ask new questions and
seek new answers. I believe that this is the club of people I want to be a part
of in the future.
[1] Friday March 2nd, Sean Killeen, CEO and
founder of Xintec on “The challenges of
being an entrepreneur in a highly competitive market dominated by some large
players and what sales can mean in such a context”
Great tips, many thanks for sharing. I have printed and will stick on the wall! I like this blog. Long Term Business Strategy
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