Wednesday, November 16, 2011

If You Think You’re Defeated, You Are. - for Founders Under 40™ Group Members

One thing I’ve learned about myself, life and from others is a lot of times what you believe in is what will either hinder your progress or help you. The guy, who made Starbucks a great success, Howard Schultz, came from an unprivileged childhood. Steve Jobs was adopted. Ted Rogers of Rogers Communication acquired back what his father had lost. 



Whoopi Goldberg could have said” I’m not pretty enough to be an actress.” Oprah Winfrey could have said” I’m too fat to be on TV.” Richard Branson could have said “I don’t have wealthy connections so I will not start Virgin Records.”


President Obama could have said, “I’m black so there’s no chance I will be elected”
VP, Joe Biden could have committed suicide because of his lost family.

 

Nelson Mandela could have kept a low profile after his release from prison but he chose to stand tall, free and proud. Michael Jackson could have said “I have a skin problem so my music career is over” Michael Jordan could have said in college “There are better players than me, I will not improve my game.”


If You Think You’re Defeated, You Are.

In life you can’t let adversity deter you from pursuing your goals, purpose or passion. In life, you do choose the outcome of some situation. I’ve had my share of adversity but like any fighter, I know adversity is only going to make me stronger, better, wiser and will prepare me for more great success. 


I’m a fighter, winner, never surrender and never quit kind of guy. Thank God, I play to win. I welcome founders, venture capitalist, people, partners, leaders, motivators, innovators

Friday, November 11, 2011

Do it Now. Reach Out to Other Founders Under 40™ Group or Myself

I personally think it's time for founders to come together and work together towards making this world better. 

 That's why I'm offering my services, expertise and connections or other towards helping my fellow Founders and Entrepreneurs. Any way that I can help, I will help.

Contact myself. I will be working with GTA SM BD, FOUNDERS UNDER 40 Group, & BJ MANNYST  to help 4 service businesses before the holidays.

Contact myself today and I'd be glad to see what I could do for you.

* Please note my services are not entirely free. Checkout BJMANNYST.com 

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Looking for Marketing Help for Your Start Up, Small Business or Other?

 Looking for Marketing Help / Assistance / Another Perspective / Extra Hand for Your Start Up, Small Business, eCommerce, Professional Services, Tech, Business Services, Business Concept, SaaS or Other?

 

....or maybe you just like to bounce a business collaboration idea? 

I will be working with GTA SM BD, FOUNDERS UNDER 40 Group, & BJ MANNYST  to assist any service business before the holidays or just anytime.

Contact myself or our general email box today and I'd be glad to see what I could do for you.

* Please note my services are not entirely free. No credibility, don't waste your time. Better have a WIN-WIN_WIN mindset or just don't waste our time. Checkout BJMANNYST.com

 

Founders Under 40™ Group is Taken & Company Naming Tips

Before you start your company try to research your potential name thoroughly.

*For Founders Under 40 Group, FU40 logo is a Trademark



 

 

Protect Your Trademark: Conduct Simple Searches

 
Protecting a trademark is best left to lawyers and professional services, but the least a business can do on its end is to routinely check the search engines—any Bing or Google will do—to confirm no one else is misusing the name.

Google also offers Google Alerts, a free notification system for alerting any time your mark appears on the news or Web. However, Google Alerts should not be used exclusively.

"Google Alerts are probably not going to tell you what's happening on the trademark registers, and not necessarily what's going on with domain names out there," Prahl says.

If and when a red flag appears, rather than jump the gun and immediately contact the infringing business, experts maintain that Google Alerts should only be used to give an idea of the activity surrounding the mark out there.

"Google Alerts is not a law firm," Evans says. "You're trying to cut costs, but you'd still need to seek an attorney so they can interpret the data that you're getting."


*Article from Inc.com

Friday, October 21, 2011

Confusion is Marketing’s Worst Enemy

The laptop, and computer market is filled with comfusion ever since processors became duo-core. Before all you had to know was A Pentium 4 is better than a Pentium 3 or P3 500mhz was worst than a P3 1Ghz. For all the business people, if you want to move products or increase sales the less time it takes for a consumer to transition from education, clear product fit, to purchase is very critical. I’m surprise a second place player AMD is making the same mistakes. There are so many brands of processors in the market it’s delaying people’s willings to buy. Intel has i3, i5, i7 but to the consumer there’s no clear way to distinguish what are the beneficial difference. From my understanding it’s just number of processing cores, a processors as being split into smaller segments. Yeepee!?

Keep it simple. You’d think simplicity would be easy to obtain but the truth is to see it from the eyes of a 12 year old or could be undertood by one.

So clearyfy what your brand, product stands for and try to keep it simple.

In addition, computer makers stop making products that are not built to last. Not sure the avg life for a new laptop before it needs major repair but I think it’s like less than 2yrs.


*Founders Under 40, FU40 logo, are TM
Saturday, October 8, 2011

Founders Under 40™ Group, It’s Time to Rise. Goodbye Mr. Jobs.


If it were easy everyone would have quit their day job and started a venture. Founder is one demanding role. I bet that’s what Steve Jobs kept saying to himself while alone through out is co-founder journey. I can imagine Steve Jobs after presenting the iPhone and then wondering while showering, “I hope the touch screen works, or I hope people will love it.”



On behalf of members of Founders Under 40™ Group and I, we’d like to Thank Mr. Jobs for his inspiration and his actions in life and business. As always, behind every great founder is as much a greater team. We’ll never forget you sir. Thank You.

 

Working with other Founders, I’ve come to respect the people who sacrifice, fight, and who can find time to laugh through it all. I enjoy talking to other Founders whether big or small such as the Founder of a Fortune500 company or the co-Founder of a SaaS company. Members of Founders Under 40™  Group or GreatestFounders™, this is the time to help shape the future of this fragile world. This is time to be soldiers of change and rise.


My personal and business life and role is not rosy but I’ve been fortunate with great blessings that others would gladly die for. I thank God for the great leaders who came before me and set a good example for me to follow. I thank the Founders Under 40™  Group group members for their unwavering continues support. In time the red carpet will be out. FU40 codename “Endure” will be rewarded.


I’m just helping to lay some fertilizer and foundation. We’re looking for some specific things but FU40 welcomes other contribution.  If you're a credible founder, VC or a credible past founder, please feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or email.
 

BJ Mannyst Team assist Founders Under 40™ Group Team + GreatestFounders™  to support founders & entrepreneurs around the world.


* Founders Under 40™ Group, www.foundersunder40.com, and FU40 logo are Trade Marks. 


 

Working with Influencers can be a Great Tactic

I bet there are many bloggers, celebrities, and influencers constantly receiving products for free. Satire entertainer, Colbert, even received an iPad when he asked for it or when celebrities like Jay-Z received Blackberries in their gift bags at the MTV Awards.

Gifts such as a few brand new laptops, phones, cars, money or office space the size of a football field, and possibly some business services can be very welcoming and appreciated.

Celebrity or influence marketing is a very powerful way to get the word out about your product or services. There’re no guarantees on the ROI but I think it’s more effective then random flyers, newspaper ads. Even Fiat is using Jennifer Lopez to promote their car. (And notice I’m talking about it and Fiat is currently not paying me. In time they will pay. I’m sure J Lo got paid.)

It’s a powerful tool to complement other tactics. It can speed up the brand development, appeal and recognition in less time compare to other none influencer methods. When Nike got started they got the best Athletes to wear their products.

Oprah Winfrey is a powerful influencer. If she mentions your product or company, it will be hard to keep up with demand. Hey Oprah, say my name (laugh).

So how do you get to influencers or celebrities? Or what steps to take. I might put together a guide in the future. In conclusion, it’s something to consider.
Saturday, October 1, 2011

Do Selfish Companies Perform Better?

I’ve noticed that there seems to be an increase in selfish companies, who have forgotting who keeps them thriving. I was fortunate to attend an event in downtown Toronto only to be a part of a one way presentation. It made me wonder if selfish companies do better than none-selfish companies.

The presentation was hosted by a very well known institution that has access to all kinds of resources. You might say it’s out of this world. So do selfish companies do better than others.
Friday, September 30, 2011

Don’t Re-Position Brand Facing Number One

So you’re not as cool or popular as the number one player. Your sales are down. Your appeal is down. You’re so dull no one gives a #^$& if you got Jennifer Lopez as a client. I don’t claim to have all the answers but my advice to anyone considering repositioning their brand. Don’t position your brand almost identical to the major players because they have certain strengths you can’t match. Don’t set out to be Pepsi-Cola when you could be Hamburger-Cola (if you can create a cola that taste like hamburger, I might try it). One could easily go head to head with FaceBook but who needs another identical Facebook.

Google wasn’t the first search engine and it sure didn’t set out to be like Yahoo or MSN search. Google just did its thing regardless who was first or who might copy. Eventually another thing will replace Google and Google will be like Yahoo and Yahoo will hopefully be bought out by FaceBook which Microsoft will then manage.

No matter how brave you are, you don’t fight a heavy weight in a boxing rink. You take him to the tracks and you race him. MCI vs AT&T

The Power of Marketing Focus - BJ Mannyst Sponsored

 


For all the Founders Under 40™ Group members, GreatestFounders™ Members, Freelancers, Founders, CEOs and Business Owners out there, great marketing talent, development, and execution is more critical now than ever. If a company like R.I.M can not win some marketing battles against Apple, then what would a company with no marketing clout accomplish?


Accomplish very little and depending on other factors such as industry. Companies like Apple, Nike, Intel and P&G set the bar pretty high. They are like Kobe Bryant, he might dominate today but that doesn’t mean he stops working on his game.



Marketing focus requires unwavering discipline to find an opening in the market and mind of the consumer. As you know, the mind is crowded with so many brands. And in order to increase a brands success, it must step up focus. Many TV networks are starting to realize the fragmented audiences so they’ve created more specialty channels. Companies are choosing to be either: Low or High-end, Hispanics or Asians, Traditional or Rebellious, etc. It seems like it’s the end for the middle ground?


So what I recommend companies or brands do is to stop reaching the whole market, you can’t have your brand appeal to the young and turn around with a campaign to reach young professionals. Each target needs a different approach and possibly a new offering. 

 

A narrow focus also requires a narrow focus name and tag. BJ Mannyst could try to do products or really expensive marketing services but we focus on service businesses, inexpensive-quality, business advice, no nonsense, and we’re not afraid to take on new tactics. And plus we’ve got strategic partnership with Founders Under 40 Group, GTA SM BD and others. 



So less is a lot more, be narrow focused first then diversify, take a page from Wal-Mart. There’s Wal-Mart and there’s Sam’s Club. There’s Lady Gaga and there’s Celine Dion. 



You don’t get marketing focus overnight. It’s step by step. I’m always learning and improving my focus.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Hey, Stop Copying to the Bone - Copycat

There are people who can’t innovate and can’t implement worth $^#$. They simply copy or steal people’s ideas. Apple creates iPhone, iPad everyone else copies or adds an Android OS and calls it an ePad. I’ve got nothing against copying and taking ideas from places, it’s when a few try to ruin your brand and reputation by duplicating you identically. Hey copycats learn from others but don’t go out coping to the bone. Turn it to your own using your strengths and weaknesses.

Just recently came across someone trying to copy Founders Under 40 by using the brand name on a another group. Hey buddy. Look into entrepreneur.com, inc.com those are trademarks and you can’t use the words anyhow. You can’t use FoundersUnder40.com either.
Sunday, September 4, 2011

Top tips for successful start-up

  • Make sure you have the right person at the helm. It will be easier to encourage a positive organisational culture if the people at the top offer strong leadership, commercial experience and business skills – combined with the right attitude and values, this will help to ensure that you achieve your social purpose.
  • Build the right team. No single person can be expected to possess all of the skills needed so make sure you have a strong team who can focus on their own area of expertise. Build a team with marketing, business development, financial management, product development, operational and human resources experience.
  • Build a team with shared vision and values.
  • You will probably be running a business with limited resources so you need to be resourceful in your attitude to problem solving.
  • Things change so you will need to conduct regular reviews. Be prepared to think on your feet and alter plans accordingly. This will sometimes mean responding very quickly to situations that you could not have envisaged.
  • Bureaucracy needs to be kept to the minimum and good team communication is essential.
  • Start with good practice and this will pay dividends as the organisation grows.
  • Build trust with all members of staff not just management. Be prepared to trust your staff and delegate responsibility for day-to-day tasks.
  • Don’t take your eye off the ball as far as the market is concerned. You need to focus on sales and your customers will soon let you know if you are not giving them what they want.
  • Marketing never stops. Don’t think that just because you have put effort and resources into marketing at the beginning, you can sit back, relax and wait for the money to roll in.
  • You will have to ensure that you are aware of shifting developments in the markets: socially, and economically and that you remain on top of any new technology.
  • Have patience. It usually takes three to four years for a new business to move towards viability.
  • Don’t forget why you started! You will have good days as well as bad but if you remember your original motives behind starting a business you can take heart in the real difference you can make.
Friday, September 2, 2011

Interesting article on:The Six Traits of a Successful Small Business Owner

A new report attempts to identify a winning formula.

The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute report hopes to explain why only 1 in 2 small businesses will survive more than five years, according to Small Business Administration figures. The study - called Six Dimensions That Characterize Success-Oriented Small Business Owners - is based on analysis of a survey of 1,100 small businesses with between 2 and 99 employees. (The Institute is run by the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, and it conducts ongoing research on what it calls "the Index of What Matters Most" to small businesses.)

  •     The ability to collaborate. Those who can delegate, build strong relationships with their management teams, employees, and others are more likely to click with customers.
  •     Being self fulfilled. Good small business owners put a high price on the fulfilment their companies provide them, relish being their own boss, and enjoy being in control of their personal income.
  •     Future-focused. Small business owners who thrive are good at both short- and long-term planning.
  •     Curious. Good entrepreneurs are always reading and asking questions.
  •     Tech-savvy. Perhaps not surprisingly, the best small business owners invest time and money on their company's website and are likely to "rely a great deal on technology to help make our business more effective and efficient."
  •     Action oriented. Successful founders are proactive and always "differentiating ourselves from our competitors," survey respondents said. They were less worried than other small business owners about the state of the economy, and more likely to look at adversity as "a kick in the rear to help you move forward."
First published on Inc.com
Thursday, September 1, 2011

9/11 Remembrance - On Behalf of Myself and Founders Under 40 Group

 
On behalf of myself, and Founders Under 40 Group team & members,
We would like to acknowledge the lives that were lost and affected on that tragic day.  All our best wishes go out to the survivors, family members, and friends.  This statement has nothing to do with America, Middle East, Muslim, Christianity, Man or Woman, Evil or Good.

We are all in this together, people.  Our prayers go out to everyone around the world.

How do you test whether you have a good idea?


  • You will need to determine whether or not there is a market for your service or product.
  • You may be able to identify a need but it will only be a market if someone is willing to pay you for your product or service.
  • Who are your customers?
  • Why will they buy goods or services from you rather than your competitors?
  • How much will they be prepared to pay?
  • These questions might be difficult to answer but if there is no market for your idea then there is no point proceeding. If there is a market, it should give you a green light to explore your idea with a view to development.
  • A well thought out business idea should identify a market for any proposed product or service
Saturday, July 30, 2011

What I think of Rupert Murdoch






Is this man an immoral-s.o.b? Is this man a mad man? I say he’s a man using his God giving talent. He was not born perfect. He likely has an average IQ. Fortune has favored him because of his bravery through good and bad tactics. Who am I to judge?

This might be my rant due to my current emotional dismay or due to news of another unfortunate disaster in a third world country. Either way - Do I dislike Mr. Murdoch? No. Do I admire Mr. Murdoch? Yes.

Why would I admire a man whose sense of news is sensationalism because this is a man many entrepreneurs, to some extent, look up to. A tough childhood, poor school-grades, disrespected, underdog, near bankruptcy, tenacity, hardworking, and who persevered. How can you not admire a person who fought for what he wanted in life? He found a need in the market and filled it. An individual who once disliked Americans’ wild capitalism, racism, politics around the age of 16, Mr. Murdoch is now clearly the opposite of his youth. Who after graduation in 1948, with no direction in life, launched his first magazine “If Revived“, and he’s now know to own thousands of papers and media companies.


He has an unquenchable healthy passion for gambling, newspapers, and expanding his empire. As an entrepreneur, you take the good and learn from the bad.

Taking jobs at the London Daily Express, and papers before going at it on his own, he taught himself a lot. It’s been said many times, “fortune favors the brave” because pursuing risk-for-reward is not for everyone. If it were the world financial economy would have faced a meltdown every quarter. This is a man who was pursuing, conquering the world like Bill Gates did with Windows.

What ever tactics he applied towards is objective will be considered dirty. Politicians, Bankers, Marketers, Salespeople, Parents, Judges, and Officers play dirty tricks or what I call “Grey Tactics”, even cell phone carriers. At what cost that’s a question for Mr. Murdoch and others to answer.


“Monopoly is a terrible thing – till you have it.” Rupert Murdoch
Friday, July 29, 2011

I Declare September “Know Your Neighbors Month”



There’s a lot of anger, frustration and pain in America, Norway and most parts of the world. It’s likely the same anger that’s in me as well and has ignited this letter. Hate to be negative but I fear there’s more to come. This is my personal way to draw attention to the way we treat each other and hope we do something about it soon. How does this relate to my usual blogs? Well in some ways it’s essential to sales, marketing or business. This is not a liberal or conservative ideology outburst but a possible discussion as to how we treat each other and hopefully encourage people to reach out to their diverse neighbors.

There are those who will be pushed to the limit due to life and perhaps due to mistreatment acts of others. And most likely has accumulated to a point of no return. I think society and government have an opportunity to encourage individuals to truly get to know their neighbors. I’m not sure what I would have to do to make September “Know Your Neighbors Month” but I’m willing to try.

It’s unfortunate what happened in Norway, and East Africa. What’s sad is that a Somali mother lives in a world where she has to abandon her children because there are too weak to make it to a refugee camp due to famine.

And there are does in moderate conundrum who then turn around to exploit whomever is not in such a privilege position, all for nothing but a new iPad, cottage, sports cars, or power. Or the never ending stories of: Chinese workers who committed suicide because they were overworked and stressed, victims of financial schemes, the kid who sold his kidney for an iPhone or stories of new born girls mutilate because they are girls.

So tell your friends to help make September “Know Your Neighbors Month” and place the Know Your Neighbor logo on your blog, facebook page, linkedin, twitter.

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