Lessons Learned: Spotting 'warning' signals


Lessons learned from entrepreneur by Bambi Francisco Roizen
May 23, 2008 | Comments (3)
Short URL: http://vator.tv/n/236

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Entrepreneurs should be "flexible" and "adapt" to the environment, said coComment CEO Matt Colebourne. "Don't be afraid of making mistakes," Matt said. "The reality is that things will change." That's particularly the case with businesses on the Internet and with startups. In small companies, "you have to take risks, even when you're not 100% sure." To this end, one of the big lessons Matt learned was identifying the signals that indicate it's time to change strategy or products or target customers. The way to do that is to set goals and milestones. If they're not made, then you have to go back to the drawing board. "Make sure you have a vision of how something is going to progress," he said. "And, as soon as it diverges, go have another look."

This is great advice and something many entrepreneurs have suggested: It's never too late to change a business model or plan. But you have to spot when you're going the wrong path. Next week, I'll be releasing Scott Banister's lessons an advice. In that interview, Scott talks about how PayPal had about 40 employees before the payment platform transitioned from being a payment solution for Palm Pilots to a payment solution for online sites, like eBay.

 

 

3 comments

Mitos  Suson
Mitos Suson, on May 24, 2008
"Wrong path?" I personally think there is no right or wrong path. Whatever path we choose to take is the right one. Eventually we will get to the end of the finish line, the joy of the race is in the process and the detours we take. What seems to be the wrong path, prepares,strengthens and directs us to the seemingly right path. Thanks for sharing this important points Bambi. Great story, wonderful lessons to learn.

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Stephane Dube
Stephane Dube, on May 25, 2008
Hi and very good lessons about direction and to be flexible. Cordially Stephane

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