Entrepreneurial Summit Wrap Up

Written by Chris on November 4, 2008 – 7:16 am -

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I got back Tuesday night (last week, I am a little behind on getting this posted) to Maryland from The Entrepreneurial Summit at Radford University. This was the second time that the annual summit had been held on campus. The first time was in October 2007 which I created, planned, and executed. The Summit definitely had a different atmosphere this year, but you always recognize that when you are not heavily involved in planning something. You’re on the sidelines enjoying the show rather than worrying about every little detail. So it was nice to be more of an attendee than the organizer.

However, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs club and the College of Business and Economics at Radford did an excellent job of putting the event together which included 2 rounds of 90 second elevator pitch competitions, 3 guest speakers (each speaker had 2 sessions) and a luncheon with a keynote speaker. For full details on the agenda for the summit, you can check the website.

Two of the speakers I was extremely impressed by - both RU graduates - Brian Cork and John Signorello. These guys have stood the test of time in the entrepreneurship race and have been incredibly successful in their ventures…and incredibly unsuccessful in others. However, their experiences, attitudes, and knowledge has helped them be very successful business people. They both had a lot of great points to make in their presentations and over the next week or so I will be touching on a few of them in posts and in videos.

One of the cool things that did happen this year, was that one of the local TV stations in the area picked up the story and broadcast a quick segment in the morning on Tuesday before the Summit events picked up again. The video wouldn’t embed right, but you can see it here.

Also, here are a couple pieces of press/mentions that the Summit got. I am sure over the next few days and week there will be more including the Radford University student newspaper, and more. I’ll update the post as I come across them.

• Radford University Entrepreneurs
• It’s Still Who You Know
• Young Entrepreneurs Get Real World Advice
• Radford University Entrepreneurial Summit Wraps Up
• Entrepreneurial Summit Wraps Up Today in Radford
• RU Announces Winners of Second Annual Elevator Pitch Competition
• RU Hosts Second Annual Entrepreneurial Summit

Tags: Brian Cork, collegiate entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial Summit, radford university
Posted in Entrepreneurship, Events/Conferences, Motivation, Networking, Reviews, Website Updates / News | 1 Comment »

Practical Skills – The Primary Tools of a Young Entrepreneur

Written by Chris on November 1, 2008 – 10:00 am -

Some people may think of young entrepreneurs as dreamers who happened get lucky. While this may be true of some, it is far more likely that the young entrepreneur in question has put a lot of time and hard work into their ideas, ultimately resulting in success. What kinds of practical skills separate the young entrepreneur from the pack? The following short list of practical skills should help to shed some light on the subject.

Research

Although it may not sound very appealing, research is one of the biggest aspects to getting started out on the right foot. Whether you want to believe it or not, you don’t know nearly enough when it comes to the market and the skills you will need to acquire in order to get where you want to be. Learning everything you can about your idea, any variations of it that may exist, and what you’re going to need to do to take it to the next level are all part of the process.

Organization

After you have figured out what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it, it’s time to get organized. Get all of your information in order and set up a series of lists and goals related to the implementation of your idea. This process will take time and chances are you will adjust things multiple times to get things just right. Remember that this is a process, and that rushing through the process will only serve to harm you in the long run. Take your time and get things ready.

Communication Skills

Working on your communication skills is going to be very important, especially if you are going to need investors to help bring your ideas to fruition. Practice your written and verbal communication skills, and make sure that you come across as educated and professional. You must be able to talk the talk, whether it is in emails, business proposals, or in person.

Networking

Start meeting people and growing relationships online and in person in order to build a network of people that will be able to help in various ways. Word of mouth, positive or negative is the fastest way for people to learn about you and your endeavors, so make sure that you cultivate relationships with a wide variety of people to help move things forward.

Goal-Oriented

Being a successful entrepreneur requires that you set and achieve goals regularly. Make goals for yourself on a daily basis and track your progress. Setting both short and long-term goals will help to ensure that your success is demonstrated, not just talked about.

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of a Canadian business school. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com

Tags: Skills, Tools for Entrepreneurs
Posted in Blogging, Entrepreneurship, Networking | 1 Comment »

Golf in business is like drinking in college

Written by Chris on August 21, 2008 – 11:01 am -

I’m playing a round of golf today in a small tournament with co-workers. This ought to be interesting because I have never played real hardcore golf before; I am more of a mini golf fan. However, the sport of golf is an integral part of business these days, so I figured it was about time that I step up and get to it.

I think it is interesting how closely golf in the workplace can be compared to drinking and partying in college. Being on the golf course with clients, potential clients, or co-workers allows for a great networking opportunity that you probably can not get anywhere else. The 3-4 solid hours that you are with someone will allow for all kinds of discussions beyond anything you would get in the workplace, over the phone, or via email. The social interaction that comes from golfing with co-workers, people you spend most of your day with, allows for you to make better connections with them as well as build great friendships.

On top of networking, it is a time to cut loose and have some fun out of the office. Golf can be a relaxing activity for some or it can be just as bad as working. It depends on how competitive you are and who you are playing with. I’m playing with a couple co-workers as well as my managers boss (in otherwords, my top boss). They are all experienced golfers, enjoy it, and like to win. I like to win but I have no experience, this will lead to a good time I hope.

All of the advantages that come with playing golf (mainly networking, social activities, and a release from the office) can be directly compared to that of drinking and partying at college. Students make some of their best friends at college parties. In classes, you may work with people in a group, but never hang out with them until you all of the sudden see them doing a keg stand in the closet at an apartment. Your network can increase exponentially at a single party and keep multiplying throughout the full school year. I even liked to talk business at parties. It is great because people are more loose due to the alcohol and willing to open up more - it really allows for more interaction and real conversation. On top of that, partying is a way to release the stress of classes, projects, and tests just like golf is a way to get away from work for a couple hours.

The difference between the two? Your head will probably hurt a little more the day after partying then after playing golf.

Hopefully I’ll be able to find out the difference between a 9 iron and a wedge before hitting the course. I guess I don’t have enough time to read a Golf for Dummies book, do I? Google can only help me for a few minutes this time. Thank god we are playing best ball, so it does not really matter how far or where I hit mine.

Here goes nothing - time to hit the range…FOUR!

Tags: college, drinking, golf, Networking, partying, social
Posted in Business Ideas, Entrepreneurship, Networking, Rants / Random | 3 Comments »