I am very grateful to Robert Tuchman, author of Young Guns: The Fearless Entrepreneur's Guide to Chasing Your Dreams and Breaking Out on Your Own, for his exclusive post for Inside VT KnowledgeWorks in reply to my question which was essentially, "Yes, but what about high-tech entrepreneurs?!"
Robert Tuchman graciously replied:
The goal of any entrepreneur is to turn an idea into a high-profit business, and the only factor that sets high-tech entrepreneurs apart from the rest are their high-tech ideas.
In my own experience, I have found that there are three key takeaways that entrepreneurs must remember if they wish to organize and manage their own successful enterprises.
First, in order to back up what you are trying to sell, sell light and perform heavy. Now, before you completely disregard that statement, think about it, because it is not the sale itself that maintains the client, but your performance during the sale that keeps them coming back.
This brings me to my second point, the importance of relationships. The relationships between your clients must be good, but the relationships within your team must be excellent. Every entrepreneur should want his or her company to grow and the only way for growth to happen is to allow others to help. The people that work with and for you are only as good as you allow them to be.
Last, high-tech entrepreneurs must be ready to reinvent their companies if market demand shifts with just one move from one technology giant to the next. The high-tech industry is a competitive one so you mustn’t get discouraged. Today, with technology constantly changing and the uncertainty of the economy, an entrepreneur must remain optimistic. Optimism is a gift that not everyone possesses which is why not everyone succeeds. So, enjoy your business and don’t rush it.
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Robert Tuchman is the founder of TSE Sports which was acquired by Premiere Global Sports in 2006. He now heads Premier Corporate Events. He writes the blog 100Sporting Events and can be followed on Twitter @roberttuchman.
As a graduating college student, Robert Tuchman's "Young Guns," is a guide for me to get started in the work force. This is an easy quick read with a lot of motivation, enthusiasm, and inspriation. I recommend it to anyone who ever had a great idea and wanted to see it work for them. It is also great for enthusiastic college students. It is a must read!
Posted by: Sarah O'Dwyer | October 12, 2009 at 03:05 PM
Very interesting perspective, Sarah. Thanks for your comment!
Posted by: Anne Clelland | October 13, 2009 at 09:38 AM