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Good advice by Dopplr CEO on entrepreneurship
Dopplr's CEO LIsa Sounio recently made an interview that's now published here:
http://www.pestaola.gr/lisa-sounio-dopplr-ceo-interview/
It's an interesting read, and gets into the "entrepreneurial spirit" pretty fast there. She gives some rather good advice:
(quoted from the article:)
Top 3 tips for entrepreneurs
1. Go ahead even though the idea is not fully clear, you learn
2. Figure up your strengths and complete your weaknesses with excellent partners
3. Small can be beautiful and faster than the elephant
Top 3 mistakes you did but never repeated again
1. Always respect people although they would not respect you
2. I was so afraid at the start, for no reason!
3. Don’t worry for competition. Keep your eyes open and help others as much as possible
That's nicely compressed excellent stuff. Having seen Lisa work from up close I can say that she also does practice what she preaches. Also note how the Finland promo sort of leaks through from the article ;) She's really good at that.
Pic: Me and Lisa "Dopplr Posin" at Dopplr offices. Photo by Matt Biddulph.
It's a picture meme imitating the original photo here.
Listening to Lisa and myself speak about entrepreneurship I'm starting to get the feeling that the proper attitude for success is more and more about something that can be described as "faith". Faith in yourself, in your idea, in your team, etc. Being a successful entrepreneur seems to require courage, faith and some level of stubbornness ;)
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Hi. My name is Taneli Tikka. This is where I preach what I practice. I'm a
serial entrepreneur and a startup activist of sorts. People usually know me
from my past and present consumer Internet service projects: IRC-Galleria,
Dopplr, Muxlim, StarDoll, RunToShop, Vakuutuskone.com, and a bunch of other stuff. My
"proper" bio is behind this link. Glad to see you here, thanks for browsing
around.
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Faith, vision, values all
Wed, 2008-11-12 11:46 — Harri (not verified)Faith, vision, values all matter, but...
I'd like to see more discussions and emphasis also on creating and sustaining sound business models.
A company should strive to maximize profit to shareholder's and also deliver value to all stakeholders.
Most 2.0 startups don't seem to remember the principles of business.
@Harri
Wed, 2008-11-12 14:24 — Boris Anthony (not verified)"A company should strive to maximize profit to shareholder's and also deliver value to all stakeholders."
How very very sad and wrong. A company "should" have share and stakeholders who care about making excellent products/services, first and foremost. That keeps everyone honest.
As opposed to just greedy.
Of course we all do things for different reasons. ;)
@Boris
Wed, 2008-11-12 15:39 — Harri (not verified)Sound business models create long-term value.
Excellent products and services are almost given in today's competitive markets - we're not talking about exploitation here.
Maybe there are a few industries left where greed and deception rule (financial services come to mind) but elsewhere competition and the wealth of (consumer) choices ensure that only good products and services can get by.
But long-term, just having a excellent product in not enough. Sound business models create sustainability, making sure people can keep their jobs just a give a tangible example.
Just look at what's happening now in the States, regarding startups.
I've liked the earlier
Wed, 2008-11-12 16:22 — Robert (not verified)I've liked the earlier postings on this blog, even the ones I perhaps didn't completely agreed with. This one about "faith" struck me especially as I'm trying to help a small startup with young, not so experienced, people. So far the most important thing I've been trying to instill in the founders is this "faith". Selling your idea to customers and potential investors, motivating people, but also day-to-day decision making becomes much better with a fair dose of "faith". I think this faith is actually a combination of good self-confidence in the business and its ideas, which then leads to some (perceived) "stubbornness". In other words with that "faith" one doesn't change ones mind or opinion too easily and also one doesn't get distracted too quickly. But most of all "faith" makes one believable.
Importantly a lack of it is a sign that something is not quite right. E.g. the (core) business idea is perhaps not clear enough, or for example all too obviously lacking a believable business model.
Just my 2 cts.... No wrong! I really believe in faith.
"faith"
Wed, 2008-11-12 18:32 – taneliReading the comments makes me want to write a separate entry on "faith" and startups. Needs to be considered..
And it's good to see you here Boris!
@Boris
Wed, 2008-11-26 21:21 — Höhhö (not verified)"How very very sad and wrong. A company "should" have share and stakeholders who care about making excellent products/services, first and foremost. That keeps everyone honest.
As opposed to just greedy.
Of course we all do things for different reasons. ;)"
Sure, but banks and venture capitalists are definitely looking for return on investment, not just making excellent products/services. At the point where external capital is raised, finding a viable business model becomes a priority. Playing with their own money founders can of course pursue what ever alternate objectives they like ;)
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