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Starting Up on a Shoestring

A few weeks ago, I ran across a box full of photos I had taken a while back. Actually, they were color slides, which should give you some idea of how old they are. Many of them were of people, events and even documents (photos of documents? Don’t even ask, I can’t remember why) from [...]

Can Apple Take on the World and Win?

It’s difficult not to respect all that Apple has achieved both as a computer company and as a consumer electronics crack dealer. They have great products and hugely loyal fans customers. Their terrific execution has allowed them to buck the trend of openness by providing what a wide swath of consumers want – [...]

Does the Loudest Person You Hear Give the Best Advice?

I’m fortunate that I get to work with many startups, both independently and with TechStars where I’m a mentor.  There is no better way to learn than through teaching (learning is the most fun you can have, at least for a sustained period) and there are few better students than entrepreneurs.  Good entrepreneurs always want [...]

It’s Not the Idea, It’s the Execution

I seem to be running into more and more people who have fallen in love with their idea for a new or improved product or service.  That is, they appear to be so infatuated with it that they think it stands alone and deserves merit because of its strength and uniqueness.  That’s nice . . [...]

You Go Where You’re Looking

When beginners attend auto racing or high performance driving school, they are taught that drivers tend to go where they’re looking and, where they look is usually only 10-15 feet in front of their vehicle.  I see this all the time as I’m riding my bike.  While cycling on the right side of a shoulder, [...]

We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Business Plans?

Reading Don Dodge’s post titled, “Business plans, business models, who needs them?” this weekend made me rehash many of the discussions I’ve had with VCs and entrepreneurs about the need for business plans over the years.  In the post, Dodge makes the claim that investors don’t read business plans and, in fact, they “invest in [...]

Kodachrome is Dead. What Can You Learn From Its Death?

Way back before digital photography, when dinosaurs roamed the surface of the planet, families packed themselves into smoky living rooms to watch trays full of color slides projected onto uneven plastered walls.  These photo viewing sessions along with some of the most outstanding print photography in history were brought to you by Kodachome, Kodak’s long-lived [...]

Just Answer The Question Already!

I’ve already been in four or five meetings this week that went way too long (and longer than scheduled) as a result of one, simple problem; at least one person involved in each meeting was incapable of answering a question without retelling the history of everything that led up to that point and, sometimes, forecasting [...]

Does Being Nice Take More Effort? Is it Worthwhile?

I think I could write an essay on the breakdown of civility in modern society based on these questions, but in this case, I ask them to question the business advantages of simply being nice.  It’s interesting that being nice to one’s customers is actually a differentiator these days.  Of course, it shouldn’t be, and [...]

TechStars Comes to Boston

Over the last few years, it has become increasingly difficult for Boston-based fledgling startups to get a leg up; to get, well . . . started.  It’s mind boggling, really.  There is so much talent and there are so many good ideas, it’s just been shocking to witness teams and ideas die on the vine.  [...]