How to Prepare for the Entrepreneurial Journey

Startups

It’s easier said than done, but you must prepare yourself for the entrepreneurial journey.  Most entrepreneurs start out as solopreneurs–by themselves.  But at some point, you realize that the isolation will only get you so far.  There are a finite number of...

New Entrepreneurs Ask This Question the Most

Customers

THE QUESTION New entrepreneurs OR those who have just founded a new company from an idea, consistently ask this question:  “Where do I find customers?” WHY MOST ENTREPRENEURS ARE ASKING THIS QUESTION When you first have the idea for a business, you think you have it...

The Stages of Mentoring

Mentoring

Purpose of Mentoring Mentoring is a popular buzz word now as more and more people aspire to climb the ranks professionally and enter unchartered territories in their careers, and particularly when pursuing entrepreneurship.  Mentoring starts with the mentee having a...

Conquer Business Planning for Tech Startups

Startups

In today’s startup frenzy, although business planning is most important, we understand the pressures many entrepreneurs are under to move fast and show what they’ve accomplished to attract investors and talent.  We know from first-hand experience many of the pitfalls...

3 Reasons NOT to Give Your Innovation Away for Free

Startups

Value Your ProductIf your product provides value to customers, this post is meant for you so that you’ll stop undervaluing your creation (and yourself). Below are the Top 3 reasons you should not give your product away for free, particularly if you are trying to...

Consulting is All About People

Consultants

It’s All About People Consulting is all about people.  Good consultants are great listeners and naturals at building genuine relationships with others.  Most began consulting because they had a skill set or specific knowledge that is useful to others and enjoy sharing...

Practice Getting Customers

Customers

Interviewing potential customers is a major component of building a startup from an idea. Startups are all about finding customers, not building and pushing something you’ve dreamed up. It’s important that you are providing a solution to someone’s problem–a problem...

How to Minimize Failure with Design Thinking

Design Thinking

This is a MUST READ if you’re considering starting a new business or adding a new product or service to your existing business.  Why?  Because many companies fail simply because they didn’t consider the steps outlined in this post.At TPM Focus, we assist...

How to Shut Down Your Business

Startups

Do you need to shut down your company? It happens.  It’s a reality.  Some businesses work and others don’t.  Sometimes you burn out and can’t operate it anymore.  Sometimes your interests have changed and you’d rather move on.  It’s...

Cold Calling is for Suckers

Sales

Cold Calling is not dead, but… You need more. You need more than the yellow pages and a phone. It’s 2018 and with caller ID and the ability to stop and block calls with the simple flick of a thumb, it’s harder now, more than ever, to reach people on...

Check Out Your Competitors

Customers

Have you ever become a copycat by mistake? Let’s say you have a great idea and you want to start a company from it. Great! There’s a series of steps you’ll have to go through, but the focus of this article will be on doing competitor research....

Do You Need a Business Mentor, Coach, or Consultant?

Consultants

Do you need a Business Mentor, Coach, or Consultant?  There are differences between what you should expect from a business mentor, coach, or consultant.  If you don’t know what you need, then this post will help you determine what to seek out in order to help...

Let’s Grab Some Coffee

Time Management

“Hey friend!  Let’s grab some coffee next week.  How’s Wednesday morning?”Maybe it stops at “Let’s grab some coffee?” and the ending is not included, but you soon find out the part about “…to pick your brain” once you get to Starbucks.How many...

Users or Customers? Which is it?

Sales

Whether they are users or the customers, the question is: “What’s in it for me?”  Although many people won’t say that aloud, they’re thinking it anytime someone tries to sell them something. When you are communicating about your business,...

Why They Should Buy From You

Customers

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to tell people why they should buy from you.  People must know how you provide value to them and why it’s worth paying for.  If that isn’t done well in both your communications, sales, and marketing efforts,...

It’s Not Scalable? What Do You Mean?

Finances

This article was written by Monique Mills, CEO of TPM FocusLet’s talk about scalability. As a startup and SMB consultant for new and innovative products, I hear a lot of great business ideas. A lot. I also hear a lot of great business ideas that will be more...