Microsoft BizSpark™ Helps Software Developers Launch their Startups
February 10, 2009
In today’s economy, it can be harder than ever to get a startup off the ground. Microsoft wants to help. Realizing its own success is tied to new technologies, the Redmond software giant offers a program called BizSpark™ that helps developers create their technologies with a three-fold approach:
· Software: BizSpark™members may download full professional versions of many of Microsoft’s software development tools, such as Microsoft Visual Studio®, and several platform products, such as Microsoft Windows Server®.
· Support: BizSpark™members are provided a subscription in the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN), which offers access to a broad range of Microsoft tools and technologies used to design, develop, and test software. Members also receive technical support from Microsoft.
· Visibility: BizSpark™members are profiled in an online directory to potential investors, partners, and customers.
To join BizSpark™, a startup must be:
· Developing a software product or service that is or will be a key part of its business (exceptions apply, such as hosting),
· In business for less than 3 years, and
· Generating less that USD $1 million in annual revenues (exceptions apply in certain countries).
· Sponsored by a Network Partner or BizSpark Champ. Resources are available to help find sponsorship.
There is no cost until you exit the program and then the cost is only USD $100.
If your startup doesn’t meet the above requirement, Microsoft has other programs that may benefit you. For more information, visit:
http://www.microsoftstartupzone.com/pages/home.aspx
Building Strong Partnerships
January 9, 2009
Projects and goals can survive the difficult times ahead if you build strong partnerships and cross pollinate with like-minded individuals. The right combination of people will contribute knowledge and resources necessary for success. Strong partnerships can minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths as well as combine assets to improve the partnerships chances of success.
Architecting a successful partnership takes skill. It is important to take the time to define roles only after every potential partner has the opportunity to express their vision, skill set and availability.
Combining a strong group of potential partners is not always easy. Having a group of intelligent people with strong opinions can often lead to control issues. Partnerships require compromise. It is important that every potential partner in the room set aside what they think they know and be open to a new experience. They must be as good a listener as they are a talker.
At the onset of partnership building don’t demand that you’re way is the only way. Successful partnerships require give and take which may require giving up control of things that may be really important to you. Many times this is the point of contention, letting go of certain roles and responsibilities to someone in the partnership is not always easy for those set in their ways.
It can be helpful to bring in a facilitator to the partnership building process. A business coach can help mediate and work through the process of building a strong partnership agreement bringing objective input and helping each person realized the benefits the others to the success of the group.
Finding good partners is not always easy but many highly networked business coaches and consultants often have the ability to put people together that fit and may have the partner you need in their network. We have successfully brought together many of our clients this past year creating strong partnerships that led to faster goal achieving.
Redefine Your Failures to Lessons Learned
January 6, 2009
Taking each previous experience you labeled a failure and redefining it to a lesson learned will focus your attention on what is gained from mistakes rather than what was lost in the lesson. By learning from our mistakes they can no longer be defined as a failure and will be a part of our successes.
Those that process their errors and move forward fastest root themselves in overcoming rather than in regret. By taking appropropriate action and leading with a vision going forward you’re mistakes can become assets and lessons for yourself and those around you.
One of the most important things you can do is own up to your mistakes. By admitting them and moving towards the solution is a story worth communicating. A person who continues to share over and over the drama of his mistakes and failures without ever discussing the solution becomes a nuicance to listen to. Sharing a mistake and discussing how you overcame it will make you someone worth paying attention to. It takes courage to admit when you were wrong but great leaders move in a positive direction when they do.
“Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way… unless it is a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from,” observes satirist Al Franken.
Brainstorming with your team and using the resources and teachers around you to overcome the errors made will engage the team in the solution rather than keeping them in the problem and the blame game. Applying the different opinions and strategies of your network to solve your issues will improve the success of the challenges you are faced with.
The more mistakes you make the more successes you will have. Do not get rooted in the fear of making another mistake and stop trying. The people around you will no longer look negatively on mistakes made when the stigma and burden is shifted to the positive and each is working together in an open honest environment where mistakes are ok.
Free E-mail advice, support, guidance all week long
December 15, 2008
This is my first week back after a crazy vacation in Thailand and the avoidance of the death trap at the Taj in India. So with charitable spirit and gratefulness for life and family I will offer email support for free all week. Feel free to contact me via the contact page on here and I will get back to you quickly with some great totally free coaching and consulting support all week long.
Happy Holidays!
Shellee Hale
