Mike Casey :: Random thoughts on Startups |
Random thoughts about Start-ups in Australia and around the world. Probably wrong but whatever. |
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Awards, are they worth it?
I was having an interesting discussion with my Dad when I was back in New Zealand about entrepreneurial awards. While I have always been for them, he was actually quite against them and he had some pretty good points.
- Dad became an entrepreneur because he was sick of his future being held to someone else’s discretion. The great thing about your own business is that only one thing really matters; your bottom line!
- The award trap: spending too much time applying and competing for awards and neglecting your business. (Also applies for government grants!)
- Winners have a tendency to go to seed. I have not seen this myself, but Dad could name at least a couple of award winners that ended up being nothing but hot air.
The lesson I learned was simply not to go after them. If they come to you great, but don’t spend time and energy on them that you could be spending on your business! Definitely don’t dwell on them if you miss out on one and don’t get cocky if you win one :)
