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And how can mentors offer the benefits of their wisdom :-)

Mentors really helped us. We looked for someone who had experience of working with small enterprises rather than our more corporate background.

2 Votes Vote

There is much to learn from both sides

Where do you find mentors - and do they expect payment? Cue the "piece of string" answers...

There are a few ways of going about it... you could find an individual, but why not go into a incubator such as @techstars @RockStar_Group to name a few?

Don't have too many mentors. Opposing opinions cause unnecessary pivots & confusion.

Mentors can really help, especially if your startup is composed by a young team.

We also were introduced to great mentors by the @Entiq team that ran the #cognicity challenge

there is no shortage of advice for startups from well-meaning mentors - it can create alot of noise that needs sifting

Valid point @GeorgeDJohnston - also stuff changes, and older experience may no longer be valid.

Darren Rebeiro

a fundraise partner can give the start up access to mentors http://bit.ly/1LZv1y...

I'm very keen on Accelerator-filtered mentor programme that are well-targetted & designed to introduce genuine clients to startups

Interesting @ale_sannazzaro - I find when training young journalists and PR people I end up learning a lot myself!

Joe Mitton

Tech mentors not essential - source advice from many.

Skylads

another question about the mentors :) What do you think are the main steps a startup needs to do in the beginning?

That's important @EJoeMitton - do people use business mentors or mentors specific to their field?

I guess it goes both ways and both sides end up learning a lot from each other.

the best mentors are from potential clients - so startups are building their business based on customer needs - @ColliderGB is a good example

We found it beneficial to work with Universities. They can provide technical advice as well as business advice.

@ale_sannazzaro Agreed. Some of those are the best sessions

@ale_sannazzaro That's the best way. I certainly wouldn't suggest everything I learned from 1989 is still current!

Joe Mitton

business mentors more important I think. Get the basics right.

@skylads If you are talking about the very beginning market research and idea validation are key.

Darren Rebeiro

@skylads a great 40 second video from @vfounders marketing director on a recent competition we ran for start ups http://bit.ly/1L15Wg...

understanding value of wordls such as Systems of Record in the new world of Systems of Engagement ....?

@David_Patto Agreed. A lot of them offer financial support as well.

I've found the best mentors and funders are CEOs and founders who have had exits.

Absolutely @GeorgeDJohnston - first thing I'd want to know is "what have you done?"

@skylads Tactical steps or Strategic steps to getting started ?

Skylads

@SimonARBaker focus on strategy first! without good product-market fit. no tactics can save you ;)

Guy Clapperton12

So if you want to start a business, what should your first steps be? Let's assume you're a first timer.

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Find a good co founder, earlier the better.

Joe Mitton

make sure you have good broadband! #SMEbroadbandvouchers

Start by thinking about who your customers will be - how will you sell them something with value

Darren Rebeiro

agreed co-founder and then build your brand from the ground up but with a focus in Why rather than what you do will secure you brand position in the market is unique

Market research, build a passionate team, validating the idea at a very early stage.

Go to any startup event you can find and catch the bug... also have a read through bit.ly/topstartuptip... - it's a great starting point.

2 Votes Vote

Interesting, @Access_Editor - how do you know when you need a co-founder?

Forget business plans, old school. Outline on one page - http://www.businessm...

If you surround yourself with people that do business, good business, you'll struggle not to do the same!

I get so bored of startups that show me a clever app with no clue about what customer pain it solves - start with the customer & work your way back

2 Votes Vote

Strategic business planning, classic market management strategy stuff ... Ansoff etc ...

@DisruptsUK That said, you need a good idea - it's easy to get carried away by sheer enthusiasm.

The second step we took was to take a hard look at our own skills and do a skills gap analysis - this told us who we needed to hire and which services we needed

@angelajbates Agreed. Hence strategic and market management context helps...

@angelajbates Solving a real problem is crucial

@angelajbates Really good point. "I care about this and so will other people" is a classic error.

the best bright ideas are those that are scaleable and build on real customer insight

Ideas are not only cheap, but abundant! It's the execution that matters. Most people get carried away by thinking something is a "good" idea, not enthusiasm.

Agreed @David_Patto - a skills audit is an important step.

Build something fast. See hackathons @startupbus @incubuslondon toured Europe & made 15 startups in 3 days.