Something from Nothing, Reposted from January 20, 2015 - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/something-from-nothing-linda-holroyd/
I live in Silicon Valley, where tech entrepreneurs rule. It's a world where being smart and working hard are a given, and being creative and resourceful are regularly rewarded. And being able to make something from nothing sets you apart.
Although I've spent the last two decades working with tech start-ups as an employee, consultant, vendor, and adviser, I started from humble beginnings. Born in Hong Kong, the second of four children, our family of 6 people immigrated to San Francisco to stay with my aunt with $20 in our pockets and no job.
At age 5, I learned about the value of friends and family, the rewards of hard work, the promise education provides, and that the opportunities are available for the hard-working, passionate, and creative.
Today, I can still feel my parents beaming down on the four kids from above, proud that we are all educated, independent, and sound. Working with various tech leaders and companies over the past two decades, I've also learned about creating Something From Nothing.
Opportunities exist for those who can see 'something' when so many others cannot.
That 'something' must be about what the customers want, not how sexy the technology is.
Because we are emerging from an Age of Information to an Age of Personalization, technology will be a key part of creating individualized 'somethings' for the customer.
Creating 'something' takes skill, persistence, creativity, flexibility, and more.
Leaders at all levels must always build momentum and create positive energy. Standing still, no matter how profitable, is choosing complacency, and others who are more mobile and flexible will achieve that edge.
Choose people to work with who are ethical, talented, and hardworking - in that order.
Choose customers, partners, investors, and other stakeholders carefully.
Your internal team must be working together to meet common goals. No matter how talented, dissenters are not worth investing time and money.
No matter where you sit within the organization, know when you see a misalignment of misfit of purpose, intentions, or values, do something about it.
Pivot flexibility, agilely and proactively. Knowing what you do for whom may change with the times. Knowing what technologies work today may not be the answer tomorrow. Knowing who the right customer, partner, investor, staff member, etc., is today may not work tomorrow.
Being fluid and managing each of the situations above and whatever else may arise while maintaining relationships with all will separate the winners from the wannabes.