ABC’s for First-Time Entrepreneurs

I’m thinking about tomorrow’s event at Fox School of Business (Temple University) – Where are the Women Entrepreneurs?  I’ll be on the first panel and will doubtless be expected to come up with some sage advice for the young women there.

Since this is an academic environment, I’m thinking ABC, so here’s a sneak peek:

A – Admit you’re a beginner.

This one has always served me well since there are so few things I really know how to do.  At least I’m always willing to try.  This should explain why my lifetime highest bowling score is way lower than President Obama’s lowest one.

B – Be willing to learn from anyone who is willing to teach you.

This goes double if you are conventionally smart.  Other people are just as smart but in their own way and you will be amazed at what they know that you never even thought of.

C – Communicate to everyone who you think can help you.

Even if they can’t, they may know someone who can.  And if they don’t, you’ve put your needs out to the Universe.

Maybe in a few more years I’ll learn enough to go from D to Z…

Seeing Obama

Barack Obama was in Philadelphia and a friend got me a ticket for the supporters rally.  It’s been a very long time since I went out of my way to see someone running for office in person.  Political rallies, at least for my generation, bring back memories of Robert Kennedy’s assassination.   But this was fairly peaceful.  The worst I saw was a security guard being a little bit churlish with a large African American man of my generation who I had been chatting with just moments before.  The guard was younger and more stressed, the hour was late and cool heads prevailed.  It was both annoying to have to stand in a long line, wonder if I’d have to take my shoes off, get  my handbag searched and body scanned, but it was also reassuring.

The crowd reflected Philadelphia in its diversity of gender, race, age and even style, from the business suits to the students to the occasional parent toting a baby in a backpack or holding hands with the youngest generation, the ones we are supposed to be leaving this country to in the not too distant future.

Obama spoke of that time – the future.  His message was of hope – the hope that my generation felt in the sixties.  And the audience was with him, committed to that vision that we can have peace and justice, caring and growth.  I, who rarely use the camera in my phone, had to record that moment.

Moments of hope are to be treasured.And shared.

May this be a time of hope for you too.

Politics, Namecalling & the Hiring Process

Too much namecalling happening in politics. It reminds me of a story I heard about two guys who found out they were being considered for the CEO position at a major company. They managed to get word to different factions on the decision making team and, in short, thoroughly trashed each other. Since both seemed honest, both were believed. And, as you might guess, someone else was hired.

What really gets to me is how political namecalling would never pass the HR sniff test.

Take the brouhaha over Barack Obama’s middle name. What HR person would tolerate using someone’s name as if it was a slur? Plenty of people have names traditionally associated with a nationality that they aren’t. Look at the baby books. And while you’re there, look up Barack. I don’t know what his parents’ intention was when they named him, but Barack is a Biblical name. Check out Judges for the story of Deborah – he’s her general. And the other Barack I was thinking of was the character in Leon Uris’s Exodus, the leader of the kibbutz who changed his name to Barack, citing the reference to Deborah’s general. So does that make Senator Obama Jewish? As much as Muslim, I’d say…

Politics would be kinder and gentler if it took a lesson from HR.

Why Obama support is growing

It’s no surprise Barack Obama just racked up his 10th straight victory.  He’s a Founder.  That’s his Role.  And he does it well.

In business, it’s Founders who are the entrepreneurs, the risk takers who have big dreams and can inspire other people to get on their team and make it happen.  They are the original Yes We Can people.

In contrast, Hillary Clinton is a Vision Mover.  Not very inspirational, but Vision Movers are good strategists.  They figure out how to get to the Vision, how to fund it, how to make it happen.  They’re great to have in business (not too many on your executive team or they start butting heads) and they’re rampant in politics.

The good citizens of the US have gone way too long without a Founder, a leader who inspires them.  The last one I can remember was John F. Kennedy, but then, I’m old enough to remember that primary.

The time has come.  This generation needs inspiration and we need to make sure they get it.

He’s got my vote.