Author View (Beth Polish)

When people start businesses, they often hire staff when needed, where needed, with no strategic plan in place. Sometimes they are lucky and it works. But more often than not, it wastes money and hobbles the startup, as these typical scenarios show:Ready, aim . . . wait! A software developer sits at her computer for more than a year, developing a product that she plans to bring to market. Finally, the product is ready, so she dashes out and starts looking for a marketing consultant. Two months later, she finds one. But during that time, she is not making any sales more...

Life-changing insights from The Entrepreneurship Mastery Program I have the privilege of being Trump University's professor for The Entrepreneurship Mastery Program, the new class that met for the first time this week. In a moment, I will share a truly remarkable quote from Amy Frankel, the guest lecturer for our first session, Understanding the Entrepreneurial Mindset. But before I tell you what she said, let me tell you about Amy. For more than 20 years she worked in marketing for major corporations, working her way up to several marketing directorships. She then left to work for advertising and marketing agencies so she could master more...

Seek the company of fellow travelers on your road to success There is a mistaken belief that if you are starting a business, you have to go it alone. The fact is, success will come a lot faster if you share the journey with other people. Some of those other people will be the attorneys, accountants and other professionals who will join your "kitchen cabinet" of advisors. But you should include fellow entrepreneurs too - some farther along than you, some less so - to provide advice and encouragement. Above all, avoid the common misconception that asking questions makes you look stupid. Of course, more...