Graham🐝 Edwards

6 years ago · 1 min. reading time · 0 ·

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Moments — startups are not just for Ys and Zs anymore.

Moments — startups are not just for Ys and Zs anymore.

916bced3.jpg"What's really bothering you?"

"Don't get me started — not taking advice and living in a fantasyland are the 2 that immediately come to mind."

"Sounds like that other startup we were dealing with a while ago."   

"Yeah  — it's the 'I'm the entrepreneur and I know everything so why would I possibly need advice in the sales/marketing/tech/finance area by subject matter experts?' syndrome — it's a real thing."


Although there is some artistic licence with this short conversation it really did take place, and although there are many themes that you could glean from it, I came away with two.

         #1) The startup is not just reserved for the bright eyed youth of today (with an idea and boundless energy) because more and more "40 and 50 something" professionals are now finding themselves in the startup arena — more often than not spit out of a corporate setting with an idea, lots of experience, and maybe not so much energy. Everyone is flocking to wear the badge of honour that is the "entrepreneur".  

          #2) There is nothing worse than a "40 and 50 something" professional with experience and some success under their belt — sadly they believe they know what the fuck they are doing better than anyone else. And yes, I realize those annoying 20 something's also believe they know what the fuck they are doing better than anyone else, although to be fair, it's expected from them because that's what comes with being young (we've all been there if you remember).


I should mention that as a "50 something" I believe I know what the fuck I am doing better than everyone else, although to be fair, I also realize I need to listen to those who actually DO KNOW BETTER — as well as adopt what I hear. I will admit it's a work in progress with improvement each and every day.

The real rub in all of this is experience actually does get you a little closer to knowing what the fuck you are doing better than anyone else, so make sure you tap into that experience whenever you can — be it yours, or someone else's.

iamgpe


#Ys #experience #syndrome #startup #fuck
Comments

Graham🐝 Edwards

6 years ago #11

#8
Thanks for the insight Jerry Fletcher... I am going to pass your comment onto a buddy of mine and it will definitely make him smile... he will agree with you 100 %

Graham🐝 Edwards

6 years ago #10

#7
Thanks of the comment and insight

Graham🐝 Edwards

6 years ago #9

#5
Thanks for your comment Phil Friedman... I'm gonna track down your book..

Graham🐝 Edwards

6 years ago #8

#2
Thanks for the comment Brian McKenzie... good luck with the new "opening"...

Graham🐝 Edwards

6 years ago #7

#1
Thanks for the comment and insight Paul \... yes my experience is it's always a lot more fun (mostly) when you can't tough the bottom... keep us up to date with the next one when you can... exciting stuff.. good luck with it !

Jerry Fletcher

6 years ago #6

Graham, The fact that experience can make a difference as you and Phil Friedman point out is never more prevalent than when the new organization begins to seek funding. The order in which folks I know in the investing arena read a business plan is 1. Title page (your positioning statement should be there) 2. CVs of the company's officers, 3. Overview and then the rest. In my experience 80% of the decisions to fund are made on those few pages. Experience, market knowledge and proven capabilities count more than just about anything else.

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #5

It's nasty when egoistic entrepreneurs who by their infant ideas coupled with measurable monies think that they can march forth, capture markets and pocket profits. But, without censure and counsel, they decide and demand campaigns from consultants and simply ignore their wise strategies.

Mohammed Abdul Jawad

6 years ago #4

It's nasty when egoistic entrepreneurs who by their infant idea coupled with measurable monies think that they can march forth, capture markets and pocket profits. But, without censure and counsel, they decide and demand campaigns from consultants and simply ignore their wise strategies.

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #3

I am sympathetic, Graham\ud83d\udc1d Edwardss, to what you're saying here. My trademark tagline for two decades has been, "... because experience always matters." I strongly believe in the truth of that because I've found that half the battle is knowing what NOT to do. Only experience can train you to recognize potential paths of action that will ultimately lead nowhere or to a dead end -- thereby enabling you to avoid wasting valuable and limited resources pursuing those paths. Another verity which I cite often -- for example, in my book "Ten Golden Rules for Successful New Build Projects" is that much of the time solid experience trumps "creative brilliance" when the goal is to produce a product or run a profitable business. http://www.yachtbuildadvisor.com Good piece. Solid advice. Cheers!

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #2

I am sympathetic, Graham\ud83d\udc1d Edwards, to what you're saying here. My trademark tagline for two decades has been, "... because experience always matters." I strongly believe in the truth of that because I've found that half the battle is knowing what NOT to do. Only experience can train you to recognize potential paths of action that will ultimately lead nowhere or to a dead end -- thereby enabling you to avoid wasting valuable and limited resources pursuing those paths. Another verity which I cite often -- for example, in my book "Ten Golden Rules for Successful New Build Projects" is that much of the time solid experience trumps "creative brilliance" when the goal is to produce a product or run a profitable business. https://www.yachtbuildadvisor.com Good piece. Solid advice. Cheers!

Phil Friedman

6 years ago #1

I am sympathetic, Graham\ud83d\udc1d Edwards, to what you're saying here. My trademark tagline for two decades has been, "... because experience always matters." I strongly believe in the truth of that because I've found that half the battle is knowing what NOT to do. Only experience can train you to recognize potential paths of action that will ultimately lead nowhere or to a dead end -- thereby enabling you to avoid wasting valuable and limited resources pursuing those paths. Another verity which I cite often -- for example, in my book "Ten Golden Rules for Successful New Build Projects" is that much of the time solid experience trumps "creative brilliance" when the goal is to produce a product or run a profitable business. http://www.YachtbuildAdvisor.com Good piece. Solid advice. Cheers!

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