“If you don’t know where are you going, it doesn’t matter where you go. Any road will get you there.”
If you want to start a business without writing a solid business plan then you better not start anything.
Category Archives: Startups
How To Build a Business and Stay Sane
Building your own business is not easy. That is indisputable. But it doesn’t have to be gruesome task that would drive you insane. Here is my advice on how to build your own business and stay sane.
5 things you must consider before you start your business
Being mentor for startups, speaker and trainer on entrepreneurship and leadership people often come to me for advice with their business idea or for help with their struggling business.
I always tried to help where I could but then I realised that I am basically telling everyone the same things over and over.
Here is summary of my “frequently told answers” – 5 things I consider now, after 10 years and 7 companies, crucial to think over before you start your own business.
The Most Important Question Of Your Life
I’ve been writing this blog for almost two years. Many times I want to write about something but can’t find proper way how to put it in words. There are ideas in my head but I can’t transform them into blog post. Now and then I find that somebody already did it. As if someone would take my ideas and write them down. Write them down so much better as I would ever do. Here’s one example. Enjoy it.
Company Culture – Why and How?
Couple weeks ago I had lunch with a entrepreneur friend from London who was visiting Prague for couple days. After 2 hours of great conversations I apologised myself that I have to leave. She was surprised when I explained that our cleaning lady leaves for vacation so we have all company meeting. Why did we do it? Was it at all necessary? Is this really such a big thing?
6 things I learned from watching Shark Tank
Recently I had to stay at home and take it easy so I ended up on youtube watching many episodes of Shark Tank.
These are main ideas that stayed with me.
Steve Jobs: Entrepreneurs and Startups
This week I was re-reading Steve Jobs biography (by Walter Isaacson) and again found lots of inspiration there. Especially his focus on product development and hiring best people is always an inspiration for me. One thing this time really hit my eye – part of his last thoughts on his life and business focused on startups.
Make It Simple and Keep It Simple
One would assume that most of my time I am spending telling people what to do.
Actually, most of the time I am telling people what not to do.
With growing business I see two main challenges:
i) maintaining quality
ii) managing complexity
Where Good Business Ideas Come From?
Ever tried to come up with some great business idea or creative solution to a problem that you’re facing? The more you tried the less successful you were. This is how I develop my business ideas and solutions to a problems.
Setting Expectations for Employees
Setting expectations for employees is one of the most important tasks for a manager. Without clear expectations you can’t evaluate employees and also they will not know what is expected of them and how do they do in their job.
Expectations must be clear and well communicated. Ideally they are in written form so there is no misunderstanding. The more specific the better.