Kevin George is the co-founder of HireCanvas. This post is part of lesson series featuring challenges in starting a company's accounts and the lessons learned along the way learned firsthand NYU entrepreneurs.
As a participant Summer Launchpad and co-founder of HireCanvas, I, along with my co-founder and peers in the Launchpad Summer, spend much of my day looking for advice. But talk with counselors, mentors, coaches, peers, family, etc., is much more than listen; it is to accept what has been said.
A new era of tech events began
We're back in New York in November for the 4th edition of our technology event focused on growth.
Scott Holand and I put on our road to improve the recruitment of campus universities, recruiting firms and students in the fall of 2013. In as first-time entrepreneurs, we often find ourselves seeking advice from those around us. Although I consider many to be mentors, we came to recognize that not all advice is an action donors despite good intentions. Ultimately, Scott and I have to make the final decisions ourselves.
However, learning to accept advice may well serve every entrepreneur. Here are the four things I try to keep in mind when seeking advice:
1. Many tips can be overwhelming - take the good and leave the bad
obviously, you can not follow the advice of everyone. Imagine steer a ship in uncharted waters and make strong lefts, rights and u-turns to meet the whims of each passenger. Nobody is happy, and that's no way to get around!
So to make progress, we must distill the good of the well-meaning but less useful. Very often good action is a hybrid of many suggestions from many people. That is why it is so important to have mentoring conversations with a variety of people.
2. It is (usually) not allowed - do not be afraid to disagree
A investor can direct you to start monetizing today, another swear by building your user base and monetization, and even a third advise you to start to load, but at a price.
Obviously conflicting views is healthy, you can not be afraid to make a decision which is in conflict with someone passionately tells you to do. As a young entrepreneur first time, this may be harder than you think, especially if your consultant is someone you respect, is a serial entrepreneur or someone very experienced in your field.
3. "Have you thought?" - Relax and talk it out
When someone is excited about your idea, you'll see their gears rotate and suddenly they say, "Well, you should do X" "have you thought of Y? "- 95 percent of the time, of course, you thought Y.
First, chill out It is impressive that somebody else sees your vision is to think of your concept Second.. , nod, talk through each idea and see where the conversation goes.
you'd be surprised how often speak with a feature or approach you have already thought, but with a new perspective could lead to good ideas
4. If someone does not understand, it's not their problem. it is your problem
One of the parts more frustrating starting a business is to talk with someone who simply do not receive. They suggest services or connections that are not even in your ball park, ask about competitors than you think are not even in your space or just do not understand what you do.
It is incredibly easy to walk away thinking, "They are stupid," but really, you're stupid. Not everyone will like your product or believe, and that's fine.
But if someone does not understand what you are doing, it is not because they are thick, it is because you have not explained well. this is something that I continue to work every day .
Learn to accept advice was invaluable. for example, my personal and professional mentors helped me decide to work on HireCanvas full-time from January. from the time the mentors HireCanvas us helped guide through challenges such as determining which target customers to prioritize, how to deliver an exciting step and what types of skills to seek to expand the team, to name a few .
We all need advice and learn to take the good and leave the bad, respectfully disagree, speak and learn even if you only hear what you want, can help you become a better listener and stronger entrepreneur - but do not take my advice, go there, talk to customers, talking with mentors and learn what works best for you.