Archive for category entrepreneur

It starts HERE, it starts NOW!

Posted by DaveOlson in business development, creativity, entrepreneur, leadership, personal growth, ramblings, self-discipline on Aug 28, 2010

  • What you have is more valuable than what you don’t have.
  • The thing you own is more useful than the thing you want.
  • Money in hand buys more than money still owed.
  • The grass is greener on the other side of the fence but it doesn’t fill your belly.
  • A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
  • Faith pulls the future into the present or does it really pull the present into a better future.
  • God says He is the I Am not the I will be.
  • God asks Moses, ‘what is in your hand?’
  • Jesus says to the disciples, ‘the kingdom of God is near you’
  • Paul writes, ‘the word of faith is in your mouth and in your heart’

    • So why do we keep looking out there for what we already have?

    Now go back and read this post again… it will make more sense!

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    “Bounce” – the review!

    Posted by DaveOlson in business development, entrepreneur on Aug 15, 2008

    Earlier this year I received a copy of Barry Moltz‘s new book “Bounce” from non other than Barry himself. Apparently Liz Strauss figured I needed to read it…. what are you saying Liz? :-)

    Time has quickly gone by and Barry has gently nudged me about doing a review. In the past three months, my internet access has been anything but consistent with moving houses, businesses etc. But now at last…(drum roll please!) my review of “Bounce“ 

    In “Bounce” Barry Moltz has taken a different view on the whole subject of failure and our ability to bounce in those situations. Unlike most popular books on the subject, this is not a story littered with success out of the ashes of failure. In fact, “Bounce” talks a lot about failure and NOT as a springboard to success. I think this excellent resource will be a great help in putting failure into it’s proper perspective.

    One of the chapters, ‘The World from Here: Start Where You Are’, lays out the implications of failure in various cultures. Since we now live in a flat world according to Thomas Friedman, the cross-cultural application should be readily apparent. 

    Reducing our risk, owning our mistakes and setting our own scorecard are vital ingredients in your ability to bounce at least according to Barry.

    When I first opened up the book and started reading… I have to admit I was somewhat taken back by his candidness. Then as I continued on I realized that finally here was someone speaking my language. Not the language of cheerleaders and motivational speakers. Someone who had been in the grind of building a business and not always doing it right or succeeding. Someone…. like me!

    Sometimes you need to hear the voice from someone beside you not just up at the top yelling down that you can do it!

    The last chapter is titled, “Read This Book — Then Throw It Away”.  After you finish the book, you’ll know why. 

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    Can You Help With An E-Myth?

    Posted by DaveOlson in E-Myth, entrepreneur, self-discipline on Apr 12, 2008

    HELLO…..HEllo…..hello…. The sound of my voice echoing in cyberspace. :-)

    When I started this blog, I really had only one purpose. I wanted to keep myself somewhat accountable as I worked on becoming more productive and self-disciplined. What I discovered along the way was this incredible community of bloggers and the great friendships that came along with it.

    Anyways….. I’m coming back to my roots in all of this. I’m not a business blogger. I’m not trying to make any money from this blog as it is purely enjoyable to me. In that sense I guess I’m somewhat unusual. Not that I don’t make any money :-) but that I’m hanging around the business section of the blogosphere. At least that’s what Liz says.

    So what am I saying…? Well… I’m trying to get to the fact that in the off-line world (is that the right thing to call it?), I lead a couple of really cool churches and run a company that has some cafes, real estate and a candy store. I’m an entrepreneur by most definitions. And that means that I need to learn to keep up. I read a few great blogs, like Successful-Blog, Make it Great and Seth Godin’s Blog. I’m always reading books about management, leadership, business and philosophy.

    Now I’m starting something new. At least new to me! I’m working through the E-Myth Mastery book by Michael Gerber. E-Myth and Michael Gerber are probably almost the best know among small business development programs. The book cover says he’s the World’s #1 Small Business Guru. I first heard of E-Myth in 2001 from a friend who used to buy up underperforming Subway Restaurants, turn them around and then sell them. His recommendation got me started on the E-Myth books and I’ve found them extremely helpful.

    I need your help!

    Now here’s where you come in. As I work through this book, I’m sure I’m going to have questions and need some help. So every Wednesday, would you be so kind as to drop in and take a look at where I am in the process? Maybe you would have a suggestion or comment that could help me make my business better. I’ll do my best to share where I’m at as clearly as possible and explain my dilemmas. Hopefully that will give you some food for thought and maybe in the process we could work some through some of your obstacles too. What do you think?

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