Comments on: Wrapping Up Some Sticky Business: Our Contest Ends

By: Sticky Business Contest Winners: Congrats! | Men with Pens

Sticky Business Contest Winners: Congrats! | Men with Pens — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 10:32:43 +0000

[...] Task Four [...]

By: James

James — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:07:22 +0000

Thanks everyone. We had a good time putting this together and I think that those who stuck it out to the end are truly the ones who deserve a shot at the rewards.

Hell, Meryl even submitted her tasks after having hand surgery. Ouch!

By: Small Business Marketing

Small Business Marketing — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 05:02:31 +0000

Your task is to determine your ideal customer profile. For example, who would be your ideal client? Why would he or she shop with you? What does he seek and want? What habits does she have they you can tie into? What are his goals and aspirations? Her problems? How do these fit with your business?….

Interestingly enough, this is one of the first things that an entrepreneur should focus on before even starting a business.

Congratulations on a great contest. The tasks were spot on.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 23:07:00 +0000

This is such a smart contest - by making people work a little, they're going to actually earn the prizes, and they should because all the prizes are great for serious but new entrepreneurs. Thanks for inviting me to participate as a sponsor. It's been a lot of fun watching the contest unfold. Melissa Donovan´s last blog post...Before You Hire a Website Copywriterâ€¦

By: J.D. meier

J.D. meier — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:47:52 +0000

Beautiful and effective set of tasks.

I think it’s clarity and action that make more dreams happen than dumb luck. My favorite definition of luck is when skill and opportunity come together.

Here’s a set of questions I used to test organizational clarity. It lines up well with your tasks:
- Vision/Mission: What’s the one-liner vision and mission?
- Customers: Who’s the customer?
- Problems: What domains or problems does it focus on?
- Business Case; What’s the internal and external business case?
- Measures of Success; What’s the measures of success?
- Catalog / Product Line: What’s the product line / deliverables / results?
- Rhythm of Results: What’s the product cycle or rhythm of results?

I’m question-driven, but isn’t thinking just asking and answering questions?

J.D. meier´s last blog post…My Favorite Personal Development Books

By: --Deb

--Deb — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:05:32 +0000

Because thinking is HARD!! --Deb´s last blog post...Dumped On

By: Tumblemoose

Tumblemoose — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 14:19:48 +0000

I imagine this comment is nothing new or invigorating, but the value of this contest was substantial for me. It came around just about the time I was scratching my head trying to figure out a little focus and direction. The tasks forced me to really look at things from a business perspective, which is exactly what I needed.

I mean, I’m all about charity and non-profit corps, I just don’t want Tumblemoose to be a non-profit corpse

Thanks, guys. I learned a bunch.

Cheers!

George

Tumblemoose´s last blog post…Write like youâ€™re dying

By: James

James — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:50:03 +0000

@ Alex – Well, hopefully much sooner. We gave ourselves a long lead time because god only knew if we’d have one entry or one hundred thousand

By: Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:45:16 +0000

March 1st? Good thing I’ve been learning patience!

But seriously, as much as I hope I’m one of the winners, I very much enjoyed this contest. It helped me focus my business in a big way and I now know exactly who I want to reach and why which gives me a big hand in figuring out how.

Thanks for running this and thanks to all the sponsors! You all rock!

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndrome´s last blog post…On Being Productive Despite Procrastination