By Michael Port

This is a TV interview I did for One On One with Steve Adubato. It’s about 10-minutes long. Usually TV interviews are fast and furious and about sound bites. This show is better than that. We had time to sit down and really talk. I enjoyed it very much. I hope you do too.

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By Michael Port

Here’s an article I wrote for Entrepreneur Magazine that was redirected to American Express Open Forum (I write for both). It’s about how to take a Human Sales Approach. Enjoy.

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By Michael Port

If someone could tell you what your odds of succeeding in business were, would you want to know the answer? If you’re like most people, you’d jump at such an opportunity.

That’s why I’m excited to share news that StartupNation has introduced a simple “Odds of Success Calculator” to help you understand your odds for success based on eight simple questions. They use comparative data from over a half million businesses to help you identify and evaluate business risk, and calculate the probability of whether your business will succeed or fail.

Here’s a direct link to the Odds of Success Calculator:

http://www.startupnation.com/small-business-success-calculator

Your results are provided along with specific suggestions for how you can clearly improve your chances for success. Best of all, it’s offered at no charge. Some of the key risk factors, including amount of capital investment, difficulty in obtaining funds, quality of financial management, degree of business planning, annual industry growth rate, management experience and industry experience are considered.  One thing I enjoyed was entering different timeframes for success, such as two years or four years.

Definitely give it a spin and be sure to use the advice and resources they give to improve your odds.

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By Michael Port

I received an email from the NY Times this morning, well, actually from my Dad (it’s included below). He sends me emails like this all the time. It’s one of the best networking and referral marketing strategies on the planet. No, my dad is not trying to get me to send him clients, or in his case patients (he’s a physician). He sends them to me because he loves me and he’s constantly thinking about me. And it makes me feel great. Plus I learn something in the process.

This is just how we should make those whith whom we are trying to build relationshps feel–loved and thought about.

So, do what my Dad does. Read the papers (journals, magazines, etc.) each morning and send a few relevant, timely, and helpful articles to people in your network.

When I grow up I want to be just like my Dad. Maybe you should too.

———-

Message from sender:
I thought you might find this interesting. Love, Dad

BUSINESS / RETIREMENT | April 02, 2009
Skills to Learn to Restart Earnings
By JOHN LELAND
Finding their retirement nest eggs short, many are doing whatever it takes to start a second career.

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By Michael Port

Seth offers an excellent and futuristic way of thinking about and setting up equity partnerships. It’s not easy and takes partners who are willing to bet on their ability to produce. However, it may save you from difficult and messy situations down the road.

If I had set up one of my partnerships like this it probably would have saved a business and maybe even a friendship or two.

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By Michael Port

Hal pointed me to Jason’s post on muti-tasking your way to mediocrity. I can relate. I bet you can too.

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By Michael Port

This is not a post about politics. It’s a post about your business.

But I’m going to use politics to frame my point.

It’s very difficult to find the center on political issues. But ultimately it’s probably the correct thing to do. At least it might be the most equitable way of dealing with diverse points of view.

Again, this post is not about politics. It’s about your business.

Although it’s difficult to find the center of political issues it’s easy to find the center of business issues (i.e. marketing tactics, pricing structures, delivery of services, messaging, policies, branding, etc.).

It’s easy to find the center because it’s the way everybody does it. It’s comfortable at the center.  It seems safe at the center.

But the center is absolutely the worst place to be.

First of all, the center is already taken. And, it’s bland. It’s boring. It’s about as remarkable as a one dollar bill.

Second, the center, as vast as it seems, is actually very small. There is little room for self-expression in the center. And the best way to be remarkable is by being full self-expressed. (It’s also a great way to ensure that you stay inspired in your work.).

When considering your marketing tactics, pricing structures, delivery of services, policies, program design, etc. choose the left or the right. Stay away from the center.

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By Michael Port

Verizon may be the most inept company I have ever experienced in my entire adult life.

I think my next book is going to be a comedy/tragedy about the 4 week drama of trying to get Verizon to do one thing without a major blunder.

I have been counting the hours and over the last 4 weeks I’ve spent 13 hours on the phone with Verizon; 7 of which have been on hold.

I’m on the phone with them again at the very moment. Shocker.

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By Michael Port

I must admit I don’t read directions. In part because I’m impatient and in part because I like the process of figuring out how something works on my own.

But I always read instructions.

If I receive an email that says, in the first paragraph, “I’d like to introduce you to an author. He’s written such and such book,” and I write back saying, “What book did he write?” I waste their time, and mine, and look foolish to boot.

The same goes for asking questions of others about things you can find out on your own.

This is the first rule of entrepreneurship and doing big things in the world: Get good at finding answers to things you don’t know. But don’t use up all your chits with others on things you could have figured out with a search on google or simply by reading the instructions.

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By Michael Port

Beginning December 1, 2009, the FTC requires bloggers to provide disclosures whenever there could be hidden interests or unspoken biases related to recommendations.

I am on the advisory board of a few companies and endorse others, either for profit or simply for fun. When I have a financial interest in a recommendation I make, I will let you know specifically.

However, if I interview someone and they take me to lunch or send me a gift, or if I use an amazon link I would need to specify this as well. As you might imagine, this would be a pain in the neck for me and you, as a reader, might find it annoying or even obnoxious. “Hey, Steve Jobs just sent me a Rolex as a thank you just for being me…just wanted to let you know!” But, since rules are what keeps our society from completely spinning out of control, to cover my rear-end and preserve your reading experience, please assume that, for every recommendation, link, and product I use, the following all hold true:

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