As Angels and VCs are tightening their fists, entrepreneurs are less likely to get next stage funding. Having a great team, pitch and front man are simply not enough.

You can be a successful entrepreneur. You’ve just graduated and are ready to put all of that knowledge and energy to use. Admittedly, a great deal of your practical knowledge was picked up outside the classroom – like the time you broke into the Dean’s office with.. how long ago was that? Nevermind, the statute of limitations hasn’t passed.

One dark rainy night on a muddy hillside in Germany, I learned what it meant to be a great organization.

Why are your top performers starting to leave? Do NOT read this article if you are building a commodity based business. If, however, you are establishing a dynamic, visionary organization…

Every company is composed of individuals with different skill sets and has different roles that must be filled in order to succeed.

There are many motives to start a business. In a market system at its simplest form, the purpose of a business is to make money. However, you must never forget your “raison d’être,” your company’s real reason for being.

A simple business plan template to follow is to develop a “sniff test.” Hold up the fish (project) – if it doesn’t smell right, throw it away. This is simply a short-hand way to tell if a project is worth a more detailed look.

Entrepreneurs have numerous options for obtaining funding to explore and validate their startup concept.

If this research were to uncover the ‘secret sauce’, entrepreneurs could prepare accordingly and drastically increase their probability of successfully acquiring the funding.

Are you thinking of the next step or the final destination? Here’s how conceptual thinking influences your business strategy and eventually the success of your company.