Recently, I’ve been
asked to give advice on how to start an entrepreneurial enterprise. And as most of us sell something most of the
time, these points should be helpful to you as well.
1) Define
3-4 best possible futures. Contrary to popular psychology, none of us
has just one passion. Humans are more dynamic and mysterious than
that. Just like a fractal grows and changes, think of a basket of things
you see yourself doing in the future.
Choose a number of things that intrigue you. You’ve done your work when you can think of
more things you want to create than things you want to buy.
2) Define
your unique IP. What is it that you know well and maybe even better
than most? What is your Intellectual Property? Writing, speaking, web research? Computer graphics, customer service,
constructing things in your garage? Be
sure to include the new things that are blossoming in the front of your
imagination.
3) Make
a list of who would benefit most from each of your ideas. Do this for
all your possible futures.
4) Create
prototypes of what you want to sell. If it’s a service, make a one page
overview or short video. Messy, imperfect, back of envelope – make it
easy. If it’s a product – mock it
up. Make a 3D presentation on Google
software. It’s important to touch this lightly and not make it into a big
deal. Play with it. You may find in the process, some of your
possible futures may seem more exciting to you than others. Listen to this
input.
5) Go
show one prototype to one or two people – friends, then potential
buyers. Let them tell you what it needs to be. The bias in any
sales operation is ACTION. Make this your motto. Get feedback, test
and iterate. You may surprise yourself in that you get a sale just from
this effort alone. But keep revising and
repeat steps 1 – 5. It will work if you
are sensitive to the feedback.
6) Reverse
mentor. Most of us look for someone who is older and more experienced
from whom to get advice on our creation. But as the rate of changes accelerates
consider a mentor who is younger than you.
If not in age then experience. Find
someone who is webby, in a different field or a digital native. Ask them
to guide you along. The fastest growth comes from the newest edge. It’s
counter-intuitive, but it works.
Be sure to tell me what new idea you’ve created. I may want to invest!
