jamesoclark

jamesoclark

8p

5 comments posted · 0 followers · following 0

65 weeks ago @ Feld Thoughts - Wake Up. Be Optimistic... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'm totally with you on this. I feel like last night was just the beginning. I'm ready to help, support and put forth what I have to offer. Obama's leadership is inspiring.

67 weeks ago @ Startup Weekend - My 2008 Colorado Voter... · 0 replies · +1 points

For Boulder County residences use the Quick Reference Voter Guide as a cheat sheet:
http://media.dailycamera.com/bdc/content/static/2...

Go through the issues before hand, fill out your responses on the guide prior to showing up at your polling place, then quickly fill our your voter card. This will speed up the time you take in the voter's booth, reduce the lines (as Andrew mentions vote early, it only took me 15 minutes) plus you won't question yourself after reading the Orwellian descriptions of the issue that appear on the ballot.

68 weeks ago @ Startup Weekend - Don't Be The Valley · 0 replies · +1 points

Couldn't agree more. The comment I often get from other business owners when they relocate here (Boulder) from Silicon Valley is that everyone is willing to help each other. The competition is cleaner and more respectful. The community is interested in overall success and not as individualistic or cut throat.

I've been witness to someone who had previous success in growing a company in Silicon Valley come into the this community and fail. Whose to say if was the biz model, the leadership style, the way the company conducted itself in the community. But I can say, that individual did not make many friends.

Not to say one community is better than the other, we're all different. But there is something to say about embracing the energy and ethos within each community.

13 weeks ago @ Bill Flagg - Urgency · 1 reply · +1 points

It's the difference between activity and productivity.

Setting urgency drives productivity rather than a lot of perceived activity but nothing getting accomplished.

The reality is that there is an interdependency on others to move even small projects forward. So breaking it down into meaningful tasks per person drives the project. Those tasks can also include people outside of the organization.

In our company we work off weekly expectations - what is expected from each individual, contractor and client on a weekly basis - and it's communicated consistently every Monday. This way adjustments can happen in near real-time.

When operating in an environment of urgency, where most people are working off short-term tasks it's critical to have strategic leadership set the direction and project managers to communicate priorities - in our company those are the same people.

66 weeks ago @ Bill Flagg - Startup Valuations · 1 reply · +1 points

Excellent point Bill. I never understand the idea of raising money before making money. Build the business, prove at some level the service you're offering is needed and people are willing to pay for it.

As in the comments, the objection is often, "My competition will be doing it faster". The reality is that all the time, energy and effort you spend raising the money, meeting with the investors, preparing for investor meetings, etc. could be spent on refining your product or service and working with customers.