I just watched the Steve Jobs' commencement speech at Stanford from 2005:
One of the comments Steve makes is how when he got fired from Apple, it was a blessing in disguise. He points out at 7:15 "I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter into one of the most creative periods of my life. During the next five years I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the world's first computer-animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, and I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance, and Lorene and I have a wonderful family together."
Did you lose your job recently? During a recession or difficult time in an industry, many people struggling with losing a job, as companies downsize their employee payroll to make ends meet. You may be one of them. Then again, entire companies go out of business during those times. At other times, the position you occupied may not have offered the right fit you and your growth. Or, perhaps, you did not deliver up to your hiring process courtship promises. Whichever, don't fret, because that job is now your PAST. What's important is what you do TODAY and in THE FUTURE.
If you are doing what you LOVE, you will find a way to SUCCEED. Your work fills a large part of your life. So, do what is great work. Steve continues "the only way to do great work is to LOVE what you do" and encourages the graduates to keep looking, don't settle. I believe what we do must also provide HIGH VALUE to others. So, what do you do that you love and that produces high value to other people?
If you're reading this, you've most likely traveled far from graduation. You're perhaps thinking "what now?" Well, if you've had a great idea inside you, but have been sitting on the fence, wondering when is the right time to launch that idea into a business, perhaps now is that time. I made a similar choice back in 2001, when I left EMC2 and turned down a job with Hewlett-Packard that promised $18K a month to make $0 with AspireNow, my first company. It was a costly decision, but in the end, I'm happier, and everything I am doing now came from that leap of faith, and essentially losing that job opportunity then. AspireNow continues to produce passive income on a monthly basis, and ARRiiVE Business Solutions, which launched out of AspireNow, is now providing exciting business launch services to terrific clients.
Recently, I relaunched ARRiiVE Business Solutions as a full-time endeavor. This came from a "job" turning from a job into a consulting assignment. Now, I am free to do as I wish, but also still working with my previous company to help them continue to launch their software. However, this turn of events also freed me to help launch several new amazing and promising companies.
What can you do to turn a "lemon" of a job situation into "lemonade" in your life?
If you need help launching your business, I suggest you work with a coach or business launch specialist who has been there, done that, and been through the challenges of failure and success. Find someone with whom you identify, and start building a team. Believe in your dream, seize upon the hope of what you love the most, surround yourself with other successful people, and then go for it with all you've got within you!
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ARRiiVE Business Solutions offers business development coaching, "acting" VP of Business Development/Sales, business launch creative marketing, and sales training services. To learn more call 805-459-6939 for an initial discussion about how I might help you with your endeavor, or email info (at) ARRiiVE (dot) com.
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Jul 9, 2009
Why Losing Your Job Can Be Good For You
Jan 6, 2009
Twine for Starting A Company
I just started a new "twine" for starting a company.
If you're starting a company and/or interested in advice and connections for information on the following subjects, you're encouraged to join, follow, contribute, and share with friends. Here's the link:
http://www.twine.com/twine/11rr86z2y-lq/starting-a-company
Subjects this twine will cover:
Business plan, strategy, funding, connecting with investors, sales plan, marketing collateral, logo design, website design, list building, business cards, and more!
ARRiiVE Business Solutions is a firm specializing in product launch and creating new company growth and also hosts a radio show called Innovations In Business.
Tags
Start A Company, Product Launch, Launch a Product, Starting A Company, Funding a Company, Find Investment Capital, Sales Plan, Business Plan For New CompanyCheers!
Scott
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Aug 22, 2008
Raising Money To Start A Company, Part I
How To Know When You're Ready for A Cash Infusion?
Frankly, you probably aren't ready to ask for money. Why? Because usually the problem with launching a business or product ISN'T whether you have enough money, but more rather how much VALUE you're providing. And, most entrepreneurs who are drawn to raising quick money aren't serious about keeping their business or building a strong business in the first place.
I have a few questions to determine whether you're ready:
Have you articulated your message well?
Are you delivering high quality products and services on time and under budget?
Do you have a solid team built who can help you grow your business?
Do you have a stream of customers starting to line up outside your door?
If so, your word-of-mouth will grow your business, and you may never need money. However, that is when you will most likely be able to receive money. If you don't have "yes" answers to the above questions, I'd suggest you tighten up your business FIRST before going after the money.
I often receive inquiries from entrepreneurs about how to raise money for their business. Well, I can help you write a business plan. I can also help you approach entrepreneurs. But if you haven't addressed the above information properly, it won't matter. No matter how much money you have, if you don't have a good business model you won't success. On the flip-side, if you DO have a good business model and you ARE winning new clients, getting funding will be much easier.
Then, it's simply a matter of making sure your financial numbers and projections are in order, and approaching the appropriate resources for the cash infusion you seek to GROW your business.
The problem with most people who are seeking to get money quickly is they are ignoring business basics and failing to develop a solid base of business BEFORE going for the cash. Now, in the case of the dot-com era, there was an exception to the rule. Many companies wanted to get online quickly and build it first, so they could establish market dominance. However, if you notice, there is still probably room for a company to sell books online successfully, even though Amazon, Borders, and Barnes & Noble already have a strong market established. In addition, there is probably still a market for a better or faster web browser, although my guess is that the next killer application online won't be a browser at all.
True innovation often leads to breakthrough products and services. Have you put out the effort to innovate? If so, you'll attract the business you need to succeed.
Now, if your situation is that you've covered your bases, you have a basic business plan, you've built a team, you have a product, you're making sales and making money, and want to raise money, then let's talk about getting you quick money for your business.
You'll need to answer the questions:
"How much do you need?"
"Why should they give it to you?"
"How soon can you pay it back?"
Once you can answer these questions, and you have a stream of happy customers starting to line up outside your door, then email me and we'll go from there. Stay tuned for Raising Money To Start A Company Part II (coming soon).
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Aug 13, 2008
Simple Product Launch on Innovations In Business
ARRiiVE: Innovations In Business Show featured "A Simple Approach To Product Launch" today (Wednesday, August 13) at 2PM PST - 5PM EST! (Miss the show? Scroll down for the UPDATE and RECORDING OF THIS KICK-ASS SHOW!)
Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 to hear me discuss a simple approach to e-mail marketing today (2PM PST) or call 724-444-7444 enter 37798#1# to call in.
Got a big idea but not sure where to start?
Are you struggling with product launch? In this call you'll receive:
- Knowing product launch is more than a big idea...get sure about what else to do.
- Getting solutions to "analysis by paralysis"...get off the dime and get something productive started.
- Feeling like an amateur in a daunting world... get professional advice from a guy who learned from the school of hard knocks (well, and a few books, too).
Show hosted by Scott Andrews, CEO of ARRiiVE Business Solutions (www.ARRiiVE.com)
It's simple and easy to join - call (724) 444 -7444 enter 37798#1# to dial in or visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/37798 OR http://www.ARRiiVE.com (see radio show link) to visit online and/or text chat questions to Scott.
UPDATE:
MISS THE SHOW? Shame on you! Hee hee hee... okay, seriously, you're in luck: this call might be worth thousands to you. I've saved it and made it easy to listen to - just click the player here:
