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Results and awards

Just Do It – is a great slogan.

In life and business, every time I fail, the cause always links to action:

- action never taken
- action taken too late

Too much talk (or I call it strategy) and no action (taking too long to decide).

I am such a huge proponent of execution, getting things done, show real results and accomplishments, rather than fancy and at times never ending strategy talks. I learned and keep learning from my failures. I believe action, execution and results is an ongoing process. One can have skills and tools, but not all answers and immediate results at all times.

While I do believe in execution and real results, I also know that achievements are not always tangible, that ability to bring people together and to influence is hardly an empty talk but even a more so profound achievement. Dale Carnegie valued this ability more than any other skill, saying that he could teach any man any trade, but he cannot teach someone to lead and influence people.

President Obama received a Nobel award today, which created a lot of controversy. Talks about whether or not he deserves it; whether or not, Barak Obama has results and achievements to show.

When Obama won elections, there was a mention that momentum was built and the world was changed, and even if Obama does not do anything for the entire period of his presidency, he has already done much…

Let me say that I am proud of president Obama nominated as a Nobel prize winner.

President Barack Obama wins a Noble prize

Once again media is highly irrational.

Why Obama?

Quite simply, if we ask who brought about most change and influence this year?

What did Obama achieve?

Obama leads the world and our country in a consistent, uncompromising way.

Obama’s speech, the acceptance of a Nobel prize was ideal – it is an affirmation of US leadership, and inspirations it created throughout all nations.

Bringing about any change in the world and people lives is always hard no matter how you go about it, at whatever scale. People seem to diminish ability to influence, to motivate others to initiate change and improvement in themselves and their communities. How is that less important than hands on work in the field?

It is easier to look in the past to assess, that is why so many leaders are recognized looking back, by the next generation. It is hard to see and assess while in the midst of things and this is what might be happening now.

Obama’s points of view are unambiguous, clearly stated. Will he solve all of humanity problems in his presidency term or lifetime? When we look in history, Dalai Lama has been fighting for Tibet independence all his life and Tibet is still under China… Martin Luther King fought for equality mid last century, we only see some of the progress now, it is not entirely solved… Chaplin was brought back to America from exile only when future generation recognized his contribution and ability to influence through art.

What is an achievement and will we always see the results we expect right away?

People always want to see things change for the better faster than is possible. We want wars and conflicts that lasted decades to be solved overnight. Wanting to see results immidiately is human nature, changing is not human nature, it takes a long time and is resisted. Change is a process of overcoming, realizing, evolving and understanding. We are not going to have fast results.

Obama stands strong. His courage to step up and remind the world of our priorities and his ability to influence is what is rewarded today via Nobel prize.

Obama calls every one of us to be a better one. Abraham Lincoln said “Whatever you are, be a good one”.

Is this reward premature? May be if we can give him a reward now, he will get things done faster?

McCain certainly believes it is an advance for the future work, implying that Obama is now obligated to deliver. Obama is on his mission, and will be whether rewarded or not.

Is the resume always a decisive factor? Does a person with a thick resume is always the one who influences most?

We know that biggest leaders are the ones who are passionate and dedicated to their missions. Brin did not have a thick resume when change internet to no return by building Google.

Is a Nobel committee a bunch of people notorious for misjudgment? Hardly.

Noble prize committee sent the world a message today and the world got this message. Ability to influence is a result and is what is awarded.

I only wish the humans are more rational and visionary…

Congratulations America on a Noble prize!

Where to start a company?

A European entrepreneur who lives in Europe would probably start a company like everyone else, out of his apartment, then coffee shop etc. until he needs to raise capital. “It is tougher to raise a C round in Europe” says Alex Fries of Ecosystem Ventures, “Start here in Silicon Valley, raise a C round here, then open an office in Europe if needed”.

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Alex Fries, Ecosystems Ventures

Why? Many European VCs are based here or have a significant representation here. “We want to be involved and be a business side in a tech company, founders can do the building of a product, engineering”, he explains, “we do not see if an entrepreneur is building the right team in Europe, prefer to work closely with local teams.”

Alex specifically emphasized the fact that Ecosystem Ventures want to lead a business side. “Entrepreneurs come here (to the States) and say that they need an attorney. Then they spend a month looking for one, talk to ten of them, then still get screwed.” Ecosystem Ventures is an early stage investor, up to 1/2M, offers experience and full business infrastructure with attorneys and other professionals on staff.

Although, corporations based in Europe have tax advantages, in some countries more than others. Ireland, for instance, is a great place for corporations.

Ecosystem Ventures isn’t really looking at investing in Russia, and have one company in their portfolio Spectralos.

Some companies are transactional and are not that intersting to investors. Meaning, they get started with a help of some angel capital, quickly become profitable and keep status quo, keeping profitable, yet unable to grow rapidly thus create more revenue. Investors still would like to get thier money back and out of the investment plus return. The company keeps sitting in VCs portfolio, founders do not want to sell it, being comfortable with generating steady revenue.

VCs want to have exit of some kind. They like mergers and aquisitions. They prefer to have one or two rapidly growing companies to become big corporations in thier portfolio.

Watch outs for entrepreneurs: some early stage VCs offer to invest 50K for 10% ownership, which is a wrip off – cannot take a company from an entrepreneur for 50K. VCs have thier own risks. “Twice” Alex says, “we had very little money in the bank, died almost, 15 partners firm. Then were saved by angels bringing in cash to the firm’s fund.”

Angel and Venture capital in Europe, Stanford University

Angel and Venture capital in Europe, Stanford University

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