Read and React

That phrase was repeated dozens of times a day at practice. Know your initial responsibility, go through your initial read and react.

I bet there are a lot of smart young entrepreneur's that wish it was this simple. Well guys and girls, it really is. Don't focus on what you can't control and don't build a business based upon the "ifs", like "if we get this distribution deal", or "if we can raise $1 million". Know your objectives, define responsbilities, read and react. Let's break that down into basic steps.

• Objectives: What does your business or product do? Keep it simple. Your business or product may be able to do 100 things but at the core it does 1 thing, solves 1 problem...
• Responsibilities: What needs to be done to launch the business and start getting customers? Don't think about acquisition, think about revenues... that means what needs to and can be done today.
• Read: What is the market telling you about your service? Don't push the shirt you want to sell, sell the shirt they want to buy.
• React: Adjust to the market demand

I get it... It is easy to get pulled in many directions by people who you think will invest in you, get you that distribution deal you need to grow your business... etc... but the truth is their vision isn't necessarily what's best for you, it's what's best for them. If someone shows interest they have motives. Their motives could simply be that they believe in you and want to drive a high return for their LP's, but there are motives.

As a CEO, even a young one, it is up to you to be the coach. You must motivate people when they are down, kick people in the butt or out the door when they are not delivering and make sure that everyone is on board with your vision because a company only succeeds when a team is working in unison to achieve a common goal.

The reason that businesses fail is mainly because of the leadership. They mismanage funds, try to operate a yacht with a two man crew or bury their head in the sand and let the market pass over them.

You have been in the league for 2 years. The first string quarterback goes down and it's now your shot. What will you do? What type of leader will you be? Will you become one of the greatest to ever play the game, or dissapear into obscurity?