How to Start a Business

So I was driving to the office from a meeting today and listening to 790 The Zone.  The subject was Georgia Tech’s loss to Iowa in the 2010 Orange Bowl.  So as a Georgia Tech grad I was lamenting the loss and curious to hear the comments of callers and the local expert on the radio.  One of the comments caught me off guard and got the business side of me thinking about entrepreneurship.

The caller said something like “Coach Johnson has brought 3 things to Georgia Tech football” -

1. Attitude
2. Discipline
3. Execution

People, books, commentators are full of these intangible statements in both business and football.  But, this one hit me because I have seen these 3 things in real life in the games that Georgia Tech has played over the last 2 years.  Prior to Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech looked flat, the games were vapid, and the fans were disinterested.  We won a decent 7 or so games a season.  Paul Johnson comes on the scene and there was an immediate attitude change.  All could feel it.  He had an attitude that to me was one of a true victory mindset. Though he talked and thought of victory he also demonstrated an attitude that it was going to take focus, hard work, and execution.

I like football – mostly at the collegiate level.  I wasn’t a player (outside of an occasional sandlot game) and thus, I don’t understand it like some do.  I have learned what the triple option offense is and I’ve learned (and observed) that it takes an incredible amount of discipline and focus to run it (and win with it).  Thus, the discipline Paul Johnson brought is very apparent.

Execution – Though not pretty Georgia Tech has executed under Paul Johnson:  1st Season they went 9-3 (regular season) with a win over UGA.  This year:  ACC Champions and a berth to the Orange Bowl (with a bad loss to Iowa).  Nonetheless, Paul Johnson has led his team to execute his different style offense to win football games.

So I was thinking – what does this mean for me? and for business this year?  What does this mean for the entrepeneur?

Attitude:  I’m calling 2010 the year to make money – this is the year I have to make it on my own.  So there is my attitude change.  Last year it was the year to figure out my next step.  When the market crashed so did all of my real estate development and finance work.  Thus, I spent a good portion of 2009 figuring out what and how.  I entertained and explored a number of different opportunities. Well now these different things have focused down to two paths – these two paths will make money this year (I pray this and hope it by God’s grace) .  Why? How?

Discipline:  Each day I will focus on working my business plan; I learned this from The Entrepreneur School.  Much like the athlete training each day for the game so will I work each day to meet my desired end – making money.  Each day and week will consist of a disciplined approach to working and adapting the plan as necessary.  2010 is going to be a difficult market as we’ve read here so it will take flexibility and thinking quickly to achieve the goal of making money.  Also, discipline requires focus – no more chasing Alice through wonderland.

Execution:  Through discipline and focus my hope is a measurable increase in revenue will occur.  Then I will judge my execution.  If I execute on the plan and no revenue well I’ll be able to see what needs to be changed.  Execution means results and results in this case are financial.

I’d love to get your take on these three attributes:  Either how you’ve used them before and seen success or how you intend to use them for future goals.

Cheers to 2010 – to Attitude, Discipline, and Execution for the Entrepreneur.  May it be the year you make money as well.

Related posts:

1. Angel Investor Tax Credit Georgia – Faculty Chris Hanks Testifies to Georgia Legislature
2. TurboTax Automatic Renewals Lesson for Entrepreneurs
3. What about Georgia?
4. Early Stage Tech VC?
5. 15 Entrepreneur Questions from UGA

4 Comments

1.   I Got Money in the Bank » Blog Archive » Georgia Tech Paul Johnson Lesson for an Entrepreneur   |  Thursday, 07 January 2010 at 12:34 am

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