Salesmanship

A few years ago, my Dad sold a house in Ooty.

He sold it at least 40% below market price.  Primarily because the property had some issue (and was in a lawsuit).  Also because my Dad was not a salesman!

He was a retired Headmaster. Someone who had held the highest position in a school. How could he be a salesman? His self esteem forbade him from stooping to a salesman’s level.

He tried talking to a few guys, got a few quotes, got pushed hard by low ballers and bailed out cheaper. In fact, he got frustrated by delay and said ok to a 20% cut at the last minute on the initial proposed price.

Now, they say, “like father, like son”! I hate it for this particular thing! I am no salesman too!

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3 skills entrepreneurs need

I realize the increasing need to have 3 very very important skills while running Tapprs.

Those are:

1. what does the customer need?
2. how much will he pay for it?
3. how does he decide

If point 1 above sounds too simple and obvious to you, it helps to read the story of Iridium, the satellite phone company that never was. And I think they realized it after plonking down a good 5 billion $ down the drain. And I think 7-8 years of ignoring market signals.

As for the 2nd, you may do well if you were reborn as Steve Jobs.

As for the 3rd, I would get insanely rich if I could crack the code.

Am sorry if you came here to know how to get those skills. There’s no short cut. So, go figure them out yourself.

And come back to leave a comment when you attain nirvana!

Small steps

“Think big”, an oft used phrase.

Think big, one should definitely do provided the thinking isn’t beyond means and methods.

And for small ventures, “think big, act small” is more ideal. This part, you and I know already. Many books and articles have been written.

“Think big, act small!”.

We read. We listen. We nod in consent.

Yet, when it comes to doing, we forget!

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Value chain

Many of us first time entrepreneurs get it wrong.

When we conceive an idea and execute it… most often we get excited and blinded by the greatness of the idea that we fail to study something vital. (Or like in my case, after wanting to start something exciting and not getting any great idea, start something without actually studying vital information.)

That vital thing is value chain. (I don’t know if there’s a better phrase for it.)

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Good entrepreneur

A good entrepreneur isn’t one with a great idea or isn’t one who hasn’t ever failed.

Heck, he needn’t even be good at execution… at least to begin with!

He is one who has a good sense of smell.. towards where the profits are (or whatever else the reward). And unapologetically pursues it.  Whatever shit happens in the meanwhile is a lesson… if one has the composure to call it that and the caution to not let it hit the ceiling.

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