People seem to be more receptive to invitations seeking advice than they are to invitations seeking sales. This strategy has been very effective for us, and we continue to use it today, even after we’ve built our product. Ty Benefiel graduated summa cum laude from Wabash College in 2008. After…
An entrepreneur’s initial instinct is to focus on the product, but it’s never too soon to start building thought leadership and market share for your brand. Pierre Barbeau is co-founder and CEO of Moblico, a leading mobile personalization and engagement platform. Mobile applications have revolutionized the way we communicate, behave,…
At the beginning of each morning and the end of each day, I assess the day’s work and my goals. Doing this helps me stay focused from day to day, and it ensures that things are always on track. Annie Doisy has worked in the mortgage industry for more than…
All of us provide our goals for the next week the Friday before. This allows me to think about what I need to get done, and it also provides accountability because everyone sees each other’s game plan. We also share our goals each day in the 9:27 meeting, which holds…
I start my days early, and I always have a list of the five things that must get done before I can leave the office. Mills Menser, president and owner of Buchroeders, is a third-generation diamond dealer and entrepreneur who’s on a never-ending quest to improve customer service. He’s a…
Here’s a little trick I use: When I’m having a conversation with someone I think I can learn from, I typically let him or her do most of the talking. I ask a few key questions, then I sit back, listen carefully, and take mental notes. Kyle Cook is the…
Testing multiple ideas, expecting that all will fail, but hoping one will catch on. Whichever gets more traction is usually then pursued. Kevin Yun is founder and CEO of DESIGNATION Labs, an immersive UX/UI design bootcamp in Chicago and St. Louis. Kevin finds it weird to talk in the third…
Run to your problems; don’t try to avoid them. Brad Thies is principal at Barr Assurance & Advisory Inc. (BARR), a full-service risk consulting and compliance firm that provides business performance, information technology, and assurance services to clients across a variety of industries. He specializes in helping clients assess, design,…
If at all possible, hire the most talented people as soon as you can. Hiring ahead means solving problems before they occur, which means having fewer things to fix. Constantly apologizing to the market while you build your team is a terrible way to build a reputation. Andrew Hsu is…
I also don’t eat when I need to focus. I set myself a task, and I know that when I’m finished, I can go and eat. Andrew Meggitt, a New Zealand native, joined the St. James Winery team in 2002 and has been enjoying life in the wine business for…
Meet Andrew Meggitt – Executive Winemaker of St. James Winery