Startup Picnic Venture Studio

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How to let go of nice people

Its easy getting rid of assholes. Its never nice firing nice people. But sometimes a nice person has to go, and the only question is “How?” Rule number one is show respect. Most of the time, strict adherence to the law is the wrong process because it incentivizes the employer to “manage” the person out…

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After Failure, What’s Next?

Recently, I wrote a post titled After Your First Big Success, What’s Next? The comment thread was powerful and fascinating, as was the direct email feedback I got, including the following note: “I think it would be interesting to hear your perspective on how an entrepreneur should approach “what’s next” after coming off a failed business. How should…

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Marumo Lekwankwa is the breakfast talk guest speaker at Startup Picnic JHB, 2 May 2015

At the last Startup Picnic, people really really loved the speakers, Irfan Pardesi and Busta Madiba. The next speaker isn’t short of excellence. It is with great excitement to bring to you Marumo Lekwankwa as the quest speaker at the upcoming Startup Picnic JHB, on the 2nd of May 2015 at Lido Hotel in Eikenhof,…

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Seven 10X Rules for Success

January is almost over and I hope your 2015 plans are well under way. I’ve been doing a lot of sales training about unfair advantages, finding the right vehicle, hiring sales people and more. This week I want to talk about 10X’ing your life. It’s the Holy Grail for those who desire success. These 10X…

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What I wish someone had told me before quitting my job at Goldman Sachs to start my own business

Here is a letter I would have written to my old self with suggestions about what to think about before quitting my job at Goldman Sachs to start my own business. Johannesburg, 24 March 2014 My dear old employed York I understand you are thinking of quitting your job at ________ where you seem frustrated…

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Dating advice that can save your business from a no game entrepreneur

While we were on a date, she posted on her Facebook: “On a date, he is boring. I hate guys who cannot make conversation. This is a regrettable waste of my Sunday, the worst eveeeeer.” I was a bore, I froze, and conversation wouldn’t come. We were connected by a mutual lady friend, Thapelo. The…

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