I've seen your picture Ken, ya won't fit.

Ken

I have had a consulting practice since 1991 and I believe that customer service is what gets repeat business. The most important thing is to know what the customer needs (even if they don't) and deliver it on-time or early and follow up with support. I just love those arrogant guys out there because they make it easier for me to get and keep new business.

Since the move to outsourcing, the consulting business just isn't what it used to be (lower rates , fewer gigs) and I have always wanted to sell my own software anyway so I am taking the big leap now by investing time and money in this. I took a course in entrepreneurship last term and so I had a team of 5 business people help me put together the business plan. I am in an executive MBA program so the average age in the class is about 40 and they are all already established in business with lots of experience. The business plan really benefitted from their expertise and I really think that the program will be well received in the market. Hopefully that will let me spend more time on planes!

If I can give one piece of advice about starting a business. Get ready to mortgage your soul!!!! Just kidding of course. Well for the most part, but be ready to put everything you have into the business. We did in the first years (trust me, we ate a lot of Ramen noodles) and are reaping the rewards now. The ones that I laugh at are the people that are "starting a business" but still have another job that they are working at until the business takes off. Those never succeed (well, almost never) because they don't have to succeed to eat. They still have a paycheck from their other job. You only get serious about your business when you need it to put food on the table.

That's my 2ΒΆ worth

Ken

MMMM Ramen noodles, yummy. [:'(]