Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`m not sure what is protocol but I`ve been knocking this subject around in my head for a while and would really appreciate people`s insights and contributions...

I have some thoughts of my own...should I post them all here or just let people click through and see if that stimulates the discussion?

http://advisorgarage.wordpress.com

Andrew
http://www.AdvisorGarage.com

 

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Andrew PS - Here's a free report on creating your startup success. Free report

Andrew,

Good question. However, I`m not sure that the term CEO and Startup is easy to understand for the "normal" startup. Yes, some startups, with BIG money, defined business plans, experienced management team, full resources, etc., ... this startup might have what many would call a CEO - Chief Executive Officer.

And true, if the startup was a company of 3 people working to bring an alternative energy company to life, one of these fine people might be designated the CEO in the biz plan or whatever.

Is the CEO in the first example and the second example the same? They are not - IMHO. Yes, they are both "called" the CEO - but day-to-day duties and responsibilities would be very, very different. And, to the AVERAGE startup, they might not even be identifiable or even remotely related ... in the young, 1 to 2 person startup environment.

I am not trying to pick apart your post or question. It is a super pondering subject. However, I believe you may need to ask the question in a different form for this audience. Personally, I don`t even see the need for a title such as CEO in a startup. I would suggest staying away from it. It projects a standoffishness (if that is a word, if not, I made it up and I like it). It relates to me to IBM, or Chevron, or BP, or GE, etc. Just way to BIG of a title for a startup.

Andrew, have you read The Five Temptations of a CEO by Patrick Lencioni? If not, I suggest you do. Written in a fable format and easily read in one sitting, I believe you will enjoy it. And ... the main character is named "Andrew." This book applies, once again, IMHO, to any business - old or new. A great read for any leader of a company ... or wannabe.

Have a great weekend. Love your site and concept.

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Good Question Advisor,
I think that the word CEO applies to anyone starting a business whether it`s a small business or a business with capital. It`s not the size of the pocket that defines a CEO, it`s his ability to envision, ability to carry on tasks that others have the slightest idea, and the drive push the business to the next level.
It also, means being a "Leader".
That is what I think makes a great CEO.

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

Experience combined with beginner`s mind.

This is kinda cool...having an article on another site, and a link to SuN. I believe both sites will benefit.

As for the question, I agree with Richard...I wonder how many startups from a singe-owner, entrepreneurial perspective think in terms of "CEO?"

To me, the question is more two categories. The first is "How to be a Great CEO." The second is "What makes a Great Business Owner?"

Good posts....

As I was reading along, I couldn`t help but think about a pitfall I am starting to see rushing up to me at high speed.....

A "real" CEO doesn`t hang out in an entrepreneur`s forum *all the time*. I say this because as educational as this forum is (and it IS educational ;) )....it`s also entertaining and diversionary. Example: Do I want to start a rough draft of my business plan? OR DO I WANT TO HANG OUT IN THE FORUMS???

I am just as guilty as anyone else here.... I started to learn this lesson a few months ago when I paid to go to an IT convention and skipped days two and three so I could get back to work and LIVING my profession instead of just talking about it.

For whatever it`s worth....

P-

Call it coincidence, serendipity, destiny, or the Universe, but I`ve seen one thing that seems to happen to anyone who wants to start a business.

If they really want to start that business, at first it`s all a bit of a lark. They`re covered with the bills, things are going okay, and they just feel they`d like to branch out. They get a burst of energy, maybe end up dabbling, or maybe they really work hard for some time.

Then comes the change in direction. It`s like a ship at sea, under way. To change directions is simple, initially; the captain turns a wheel. But that ship moves along for miles before it can actually begin to change that direction on the surface of the ocean.

Intertia moves along, then BAM!...reality begins to change. That`s when suddenly life goes to sh*t. People get fired, lose spouses, have disasters, the car falls apart, bills come due, and all sorts of effects that made sense in their previous life, no longer work.

Panic sets in, and suddenly their back`s against the wall. What used to be just a pleasant excursion into the world of possible startups, now becomes a last ditch effort to survive. Desperation is a wonderful motivator.

No, it doesn`t always happen that way. But it happens enough that it`s as if the Universe is offering you two paths. First, learn things the fun and easy way. If you get too diverted, distracted, and off track, then you get the second option: to learn things the hard way.

Funny, isn`t it, how seldom any of us learn anything the easy way? :-)

...well then....it would seem that I am good position and good company :)

....the way I`ve seen it is essentially the same thing, except live/universe/whathaveyou is seeing if you REALLY want the new path. You can always go back to your previous misery ;)

Sure there are "tests," as people would look at them. But I think too few people look at the basic rules of intertia. The "Universe" is energy after all, and presumably subject to the laws of physics?

An object in motion does tend to stay thusly unless influenced by a different force, to paraphrase. A "decision" is a force, if we stipulate the workings of this metaphysical universe ideology. :-)

Yeeeeup...the Universe is Energy in its rawest form. Like all other physical objects (including energy), the Universe must obey the laws of physics....

Before I digress..... That is essentially what I meant. We have inertia (our ingrained habits, many of which we are not even aware of), and we are breaking that inertia by "forcing" another direction, a "new" inertia :)