There are two recent Forbes articles that are food for thought for entrepreneurs. "5 Sure Signs A Startup Will Succeed" and "5 Sure Signs That a Good Startup is Going Bad" offer two views of startups. The first offers five signs for success:
I agree with the above, and would add leadership to the list. To me, leadership is a combination of installing an exceptional team (starting with management and board), articulating a vision, and then providing an environment that is conducive to success. Leadership overlaps with the elements of #4 and #5 above.
The second offers five signs that a startup is going bad:
Links:
5 Sure Signs A Startup Will Succeed:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2012/07/12/5-sure-signs-a-startup-firm-will-succeed/
5 Sure Signs That a Good Startup is Going Bad:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/martinzwilling/2012/06/02/5-sure-signs-that-a-good-startup-is-going-bad/
- Has validated customers
- Shows a strategic purpose
- Is cash conservative
- Operates with transparency
- Communication
I agree with the above, and would add leadership to the list. To me, leadership is a combination of installing an exceptional team (starting with management and board), articulating a vision, and then providing an environment that is conducive to success. Leadership overlaps with the elements of #4 and #5 above.
The second offers five signs that a startup is going bad:
- A switch to survival mode
- Big bad investor interference
- Misunderstood pivots
- Troubling talk around the water cooler
- Lack of communication from the top
Links:
5 Sure Signs A Startup Will Succeed:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2012/07/12/5-sure-signs-a-startup-firm-will-succeed/
5 Sure Signs That a Good Startup is Going Bad:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/martinzwilling/2012/06/02/5-sure-signs-that-a-good-startup-is-going-bad/
