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Category Archives: Startup, Start-Up
On Difficult Conversations
One of the top reasons for for disatisfaction in the ranks of an organization, no matter the size or stage, is the tendency for management to avoid conflict and not to confront performance issues with individual staff. That dissatisfaction can … Continue reading
Stakeholders Need Your Attention
I have often worked with social entrepreneurs on the Business Model Canvas. The two blocks we always start with are the Customer Segments and Value Proposition because they form the heart of your business model. All other blocks exist … Continue reading
The Fog of Ignorance
On looming source of risk for an early-stage social entrepreneur is not knowing what you don’t know:the fog of ignorance. If you’re entering a new industry your area of ignorance is huge; the problem is that you don’t know it until … Continue reading
Posted in Complexity, failure, Resources, risk, social enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, Social Venture, Startup, Start-Up
Tagged advisory boards, startups
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Business Model Trumps Product
I’ve just finished two days of mentoring eight ventures, most social-mission driven, as part of my work as a facilitator for the LaunchYU Accelerator at York University. communityBUILD, the social enterprise initiative of ventureLAB and its three partners, has five social … Continue reading
The Power of Community
Your isolation as an entrepreneur is a danger to your mental health and to the success of your venture. This is especially so if you’re a lone entrepreneur without a team around you. I’ve been there. You stand, staring out into … Continue reading
Posted in Challenge, Community, Complexity, Resources, risk, social enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, Social Venture, Social Venture Pipeline, Startup, Start-Up, ventureLAB
Tagged Community, entrepreneur, Help, social enterprise, social entrepreneur, social ventures, Support Services, ventureLAB
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At a Crossroads
While mentoring an early stage social venture today, I was reminded that it’s so easy to get lost in the weeds while developing your business and impact models. You are always at a crossroad where there are so many variables to … Continue reading
The Risk of Isolation
As a mentor, I occasionally meet entrepreneurs with whom it is difficult to have a conversation about their venture because they don’t want to share their idea. They’re afraid someone will steal it once it’s revealed. I can understand the … Continue reading
