-- Table structure for table `wp_postmeta`
--

CREATE TABLE `wp_postmeta` (
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  `post_id` bigint(20) unsigned NOT NULL DEFAULT '0',
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  KEY `post_id` (`post_id`),
  KEY `meta_key` (`meta_key`(191))
) ENGINE=MyISAM AUTO_INCREMENT=1109 DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;

--
-- Dumping data for table `wp_postmeta`
--

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INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (2,1,'2013-04-14 07:33:42','2013-04-13 23:33:42','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\"><img title=\".preview.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\" /></a> \n\nHi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf <strong>you want to challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in one of my focus topics. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nOr if <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without being constrained by ideological dogmatism.\n\nFrom time to time I also discuss health, philosophy, psychology and travel. \n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','publish','open','open','','about','','','2013-12-01 09:28:51','2013-12-01 01:28:51','',0,'http://smartestplace.net/?page_id=2',0,'page','',0),(5,1,'2013-11-19 22:13:07','2013-11-19 22:13:07','','wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-wp-1384899058086-jpg','','','2013-11-19 22:13:07','2013-11-19 22:13:07','',6,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(6,1,'2013-11-19 22:13:09','2013-11-19 22:13:09','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384899058086.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe all have our vices. Mine is an addiction to news and current affairs... I just have an insatiable desire to know what is happening in the world, especially with \'breaking\' news.\r\n\r\nI think my habit turned to an addiction back with 9/11. I can remember being on the CNN site and seeing the news about a report that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre. This was still before the second had hit, and before any mention of terrorism. When the reports changed to say that it was an airliner, I can remember flicking through the channels on TV ... and no one was covering it. So I called the Channel 9 news desk (it was evening in Perth) and even they hadn\'t heard what was going down at that point.\r\n\r\nAnyway, like any addict I\'m in denial about my obsession and occasionally think about \'quitting\'. This never works, so I am now working on \'moderation\'. Think of blogging as my substitute.\r\n\r\nOn the bright side, at least I don\'t wake up in the night and check BBC for breaking news stories anymore.','I\'m a news addict!','Can\'t help but login to BBC and CNN all day long.','publish','open','open','','im-a-news-addict','','','2013-11-30 09:01:33','2013-11-30 01:01:33','',0,'http://smartestplace.net/?p=6',0,'post','',0),(7,1,'2013-11-19 22:13:09','2013-11-19 22:13:09','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\"><img title=\"wp-1384899058086.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\" /></a>','I\'m a news addict!','Can\'t help but login to BBC and CNN all day long.','inherit','open','open','','6-revision-v1','','','2013-11-19 22:13:09','2013-11-19 22:13:09','',6,'http://smartestplace.net/?p=7',0,'revision','',0),(8,1,'2013-11-19 22:30:12','2013-11-19 22:30:12','','wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-wp-1384900149918-jpg','','','2013-11-19 22:30:12','2013-11-19 22:30:12','',9,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(9,1,'2013-11-20 06:30:15','2013-11-19 22:30:15','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome: Lots of people to meet, places to eat, and small bars for after work drinks.\r\n\r\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the Swan River, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','publish','open','open','','another-day','','','2013-11-30 08:35:06','2013-11-30 00:35:06','',0,'http://smartestplace.net/?p=9',0,'post','',0),(10,1,'2013-11-19 22:30:15','2013-11-19 22:30:15','Just getting to QV1.\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"><img title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\" /></a>','Another day...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-19 22:30:15','2013-11-19 22:30:15','',9,'http://smartestplace.net/?p=10',0,'revision','',0),(11,1,'2013-11-20 19:40:10','2013-11-20 11:40:10','Just getting to QV1.\r\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\" /></a>','Another day...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:40:10','2013-11-20 11:40:10','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=11',0,'revision','',0),(13,1,'2013-11-20 19:41:26','2013-11-20 11:41:26','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384899058086.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\" /></a>','I\'m a news addict!','Can\'t help but login to BBC and CNN all day long.','inherit','open','open','','6-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:41:26','2013-11-20 11:41:26','',6,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=13',0,'revision','',0),(14,1,'2013-11-21 18:40:00','2013-11-21 10:40:00','<blockquote>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</blockquote>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>','There are no answers, only choices','','publish','open','open','','there-are-no-answers-only-choices','','','2013-11-30 18:40:27','2013-11-30 10:40:27','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=14',0,'post','',0),(15,1,'2013-11-20 19:44:32','2013-11-20 11:44:32','- Solaris','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:44:32','2013-11-20 11:44:32','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=15',0,'revision','',0),(16,1,'2013-11-30 18:19:04','2013-11-30 10:19:04','<blockquote>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</blockquote>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>What this quote means to me: </em></div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\">I\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. This has lead me to the dreaded Analysis Paralysis several times.</div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\">But as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the best outcome for me. There are simply choices we have to make.</div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\">So the best thing is when faced with a question, don\'t  just make them as best you can, given what you know at the time. We are only human after all.</div>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:19:04','2013-11-30 10:19:04','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=16',0,'revision','',0),(17,1,'2013-11-20 19:46:05','2013-11-20 11:46:05','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices\r\n- Solaris</blockquote>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:46:05','2013-11-20 11:46:05','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=17',0,'revision','',0),(18,1,'2013-11-20 19:46:56','2013-11-20 11:46:56','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices\r\n\r\nHellp</blockquote>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:46:56','2013-11-20 11:46:56','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=18',0,'revision','',0),(19,1,'2013-11-20 19:48:57','2013-11-20 11:48:57','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<em>- Solaris</em>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:48:57','2013-11-20 11:48:57','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=19',0,'revision','',0),(20,1,'2013-11-20 19:51:17','2013-11-20 11:51:17','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<font size = \"1\"><em>- Solaris</em></font>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:51:17','2013-11-20 11:51:17','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=20',0,'revision','',0),(21,1,'2013-11-20 19:52:40','2013-11-20 11:52:40','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><em>- Solaris</em></p>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:52:40','2013-11-20 11:52:40','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=21',0,'revision','',0),(22,1,'2013-11-20 19:54:53','2013-11-20 11:54:53','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"font-size:20px\"><em>- Stanis?aw Lem (Solaris)</em></p>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:54:53','2013-11-20 11:54:53','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=22',0,'revision','',0),(23,1,'2013-11-20 19:55:48','2013-11-20 11:55:48','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanis?aw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></p>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:55:48','2013-11-20 11:55:48','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=23',0,'revision','',0),(24,1,'2013-11-20 19:56:15','2013-11-20 11:56:15','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<p style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></p>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:56:15','2013-11-20 11:56:15','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=24',0,'revision','',0),(25,1,'2013-11-20 19:57:25','2013-11-20 11:57:25','<blockquote>There are no answers, only choices</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:57:25','2013-11-20 11:57:25','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=25',0,'revision','',0),(26,1,'2013-11-20 19:59:20','2013-11-20 11:59:20','<blockquote>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-20 19:59:20','2013-11-20 11:59:20','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=26',0,'revision','',0),(27,1,'2010-12-20 07:55:57','2010-12-19 23:55:57','<iframe style=\"border-width: 1px 1px 0px; border-style: solid; border-color: #cccccc; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" height=\"339\" width=\"422\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\r\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"></div>','Get on with it...','','publish','open','open','','kill-procrastination','','','2013-11-23 17:31:19','2013-11-23 09:31:19','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=27',0,'post','',0),(28,1,'2013-11-23 07:55:57','2013-11-22 23:55:57','http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 07:55:57','2013-11-22 23:55:57','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(29,1,'2013-11-23 08:16:05','2013-11-23 00:16:05','[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]\n\n[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]','Just get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:16:05','2013-11-23 00:16:05','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(30,1,'2013-11-23 07:57:47','2013-11-22 23:57:47','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933</p>\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 07:57:47','2013-11-22 23:57:47','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(31,1,'2013-11-23 07:59:08','2013-11-22 23:59:08','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" alt=\"Kill Procrastination Slideshare\" /></p>\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 07:59:08','2013-11-22 23:59:08','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(33,1,'2013-11-23 08:01:48','2013-11-23 00:01:48','<p style=\"text-align: center><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\">Kill Procrastination Slideshare</a></p>\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:01:48','2013-11-23 00:01:48','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(32,1,'2013-11-23 08:00:02','2013-11-23 00:00:02','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" title=\"Kill Procrastination Slideshare\"></a></p>\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:00:02','2013-11-23 00:00:02','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(35,1,'2013-11-23 08:06:04','2013-11-23 00:06:04','[slideshare id=3857933&doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:06:04','2013-11-23 00:06:04','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(36,1,'2013-11-23 08:08:27','2013-11-23 00:08:27','[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:08:27','2013-11-23 00:08:27','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(34,1,'2013-11-23 08:05:00','2013-11-23 00:05:00','<p style=\"text-align: center<iframe src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" width=\"427\" height=\"356\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"border:1px solid #CCC;border-width:1px 1px 0;margin-bottom:5px\" allowfullscreen> </iframe> <div style=\"margin-bottom:5px\"> <strong> <a href=\"https://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist/kill-procrastination\" title=\"Kill procrastination\" target=\"_blank\">Kill procrastination</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist\" target=\"_blank\">Brady Gilchrist</a></strong> </div></p>\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:05:00','2013-11-23 00:05:00','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(37,1,'2013-11-23 08:08:54','2013-11-23 00:08:54','[slideshare id=3857933&doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:08:54','2013-11-23 00:08:54','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(39,1,'2013-11-23 08:13:35','2013-11-23 00:13:35','[slideshare id=3857933&doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:13:35','2013-11-23 00:13:35','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(38,1,'2013-11-23 08:10:21','2013-11-23 00:10:21','<a href=\"http://slideshareid=3857933&#038;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01\">[slideshare id=3857933&doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]</a>[slideshare id=3857933&doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]\r\n','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:10:21','2013-11-23 00:10:21','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(41,1,'2013-11-23 08:14:37','2013-11-23 00:14:37','[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:14:37','2013-11-23 00:14:37','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(40,1,'2013-11-23 08:14:07','2013-11-23 00:14:07','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]</p>','Kill procrastination','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:14:07','2013-11-23 00:14:07','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(42,1,'2013-11-23 08:15:01','2013-11-23 00:15:01','[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]','Just get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:15:01','2013-11-23 00:15:01','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(46,1,'2013-11-23 08:18:29','2013-11-23 00:18:29','<iframe style=\"border-width: 1px 1px 0px; border-style: solid; border-color: #cccccc; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" height=\"339\" width=\"422\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\r\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"></div>','Just get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:18:29','2013-11-23 00:18:29','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(45,1,'2013-11-23 08:17:34','2013-11-23 00:17:34','<iframe style=\"border-width: 1px 1px 0px; border-style: solid; border-color: #cccccc; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" height=\"291\" width=\"342\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\r\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"><strong> <a title=\"Kill procrastination\" href=\"https://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist/kill-procrastination\" target=\"_blank\">Kill procrastination</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist\" target=\"_blank\">Brady Gilchrist</a></strong></div>','Just get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:17:34','2013-11-23 00:17:34','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(44,1,'2013-11-23 08:17:03','2013-11-23 00:17:03','[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" width=\"342\" height=\"291\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"border:1px solid #CCC;border-width:1px 1px 0;margin-bottom:5px\" allowfullscreen> </iframe> <div style=\"margin-bottom:5px\"> <strong> <a href=\"https://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist/kill-procrastination\" title=\"Kill procrastination\" target=\"_blank\">Kill procrastination</a> </strong> from <strong><a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist\" target=\"_blank\">Brady Gilchrist</a></strong> </div>\r\n','Just get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:17:03','2013-11-23 00:17:03','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(43,1,'2013-11-23 08:16:34','2013-11-23 00:16:34','[slideshare id=3857933&amp;doc=killprocrastination-100426094016-phpapp01]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&lt;iframe src=\"<a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\">http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933</a>\" width=\"342\" height=\"291\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" style=\"border:1px solid #CCC;border-width:1px 1px 0;margin-bottom:5px\" allowfullscreen&gt; &lt;/iframe&gt; &lt;div style=\"margin-bottom:5px\"&gt; &lt;strong&gt; &lt;a href=\"<a href=\"https://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist/kill-procrastination\">https://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist/kill-procrastination</a>\" title=\"Kill procrastination\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Kill procrastination&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/strong&gt; from &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href=\"<a href=\"http://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist\">http://www.slideshare.net/Bradygilchrist</a>\" target=\"_blank\"&gt;Brady Gilchrist&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &lt;/div&gt;','Just get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:16:34','2013-11-23 00:16:34','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(47,1,'2013-11-23 08:18:51','2013-11-23 00:18:51','<iframe style=\"border-width: 1px 1px 0px; border-style: solid; border-color: #cccccc; margin-bottom: 5px;\" src=\"http://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/3857933\" height=\"339\" width=\"422\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>\r\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 5px;\"></div>','Get on with it...','','inherit','open','open','','27-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:18:51','2013-11-23 00:18:51','',27,'http://www.smartestplace.net/27-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(48,1,'2010-12-22 08:20:48','2010-12-22 00:20:48','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.australiansmallbusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/what-makes-a-good-business-plan-2.jpg\" width=\"424\" height=\"283\" /></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Interesting article from Entrepreneur Magazine:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217768\">Myth of the Business Plan</a></p>','The Myth of the Business Plan','','publish','open','open','','the-myth-of-the-business-plan','','','2013-11-23 16:54:05','2013-11-23 08:54:05','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=48',0,'post','',0),(49,1,'2013-11-23 08:20:48','2013-11-23 00:20:48','Interesting article from Entrepreneur Magazine:\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217768\">Myth of the Business Plan</a>','The Myth of the Business Plan','','inherit','open','open','','48-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:20:48','2013-11-23 00:20:48','',48,'http://www.smartestplace.net/48-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(50,1,'2013-11-23 08:23:49','2013-11-23 00:23:49','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Interesting article from Entrepreneur Magazine:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217768\">Myth of the Business Plan</a></p>','The Myth of the Business Plan','','inherit','open','open','','48-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:23:49','2013-11-23 00:23:49','',48,'http://www.smartestplace.net/48-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(51,1,'2010-12-23 08:27:11','2010-12-23 00:27:11','<blockquote>“No plan survives contact with the enemy”</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Dwight D. Eisenhower</b></em></div>','No plan survives contact with the enemy','','publish','open','open','','51','','','2013-11-23 17:27:23','2013-11-23 09:27:23','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=51',0,'post','',0),(52,1,'2013-11-23 08:27:11','2013-11-23 00:27:11','“No plan survives contact  with the enemy.”','','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:27:11','2013-11-23 00:27:11','',51,'http://www.smartestplace.net/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(53,1,'2013-11-23 08:27:53','2013-11-23 00:27:53','“No plan survives contact  with the enemy”','','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:27:53','2013-11-23 00:27:53','',51,'http://www.smartestplace.net/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(54,1,'2013-11-23 08:30:29','2013-11-23 00:30:29','“No plan survives contact  with the enemy”\n\n&lt;div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"&gt;&lt;em&gt;- &lt;b&gt;Dwight David  Eisenhower&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;','','','inherit','open','open','','51-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:30:29','2013-11-23 00:30:29','',51,'http://www.smartestplace.net/51-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(55,1,'2013-11-23 08:30:35','2013-11-23 00:30:35','“No plan survives contact  with the enemy”\r\n\r\n&lt;div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"&gt;&lt;em&gt;- &lt;b&gt;Dwight D. Eisenhower&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/div&gt;','','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:30:35','2013-11-23 00:30:35','',51,'http://www.smartestplace.net/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(56,1,'2013-11-23 08:31:35','2013-11-23 00:31:35','<blockquote>“No plan survives contact  with the enemy”</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Dwight D. Eisenhower</b></em></div>\r\n','','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:31:35','2013-11-23 00:31:35','',51,'http://www.smartestplace.net/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(57,1,'2013-11-23 08:32:09','2013-11-23 00:32:09','<blockquote>“No plan survives contact  with the enemy”</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Dwight D. Eisenhower</b></em></div>\r\n','No plan survives contact  with the enemy','','inherit','open','open','','51-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:32:09','2013-11-23 00:32:09','',51,'http://www.smartestplace.net/51-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(58,1,'2013-02-13 08:34:50','2013-02-13 00:34:50','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.thevalueengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/coca-cola-glass.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">With the rise of obesity,  there is clearly a shift in public thinking with respect to sugar. This is changing the game for some of the heavyweights of the food industry.\n\nRead more in this article from The Wall Street Journal</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a></p>','The Calorie Wars','','publish','open','open','','the-calorie-wars','','','2013-12-01 10:15:42','2013-12-01 02:15:42','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=58',0,'post','',0),(59,1,'2013-11-23 08:34:50','2013-11-23 00:34:50','<a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\" title=\"Coke and the Calorie Wars\" target=\"_blank\"></a>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:34:50','2013-11-23 00:34:50','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(60,1,'2013-11-23 16:58:07','2013-11-23 08:58:07','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.thevalueengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/coca-cola-glass.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Interesting article</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a></p>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-23 16:58:07','2013-11-23 08:58:07','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(61,1,'2013-11-23 08:37:36','2013-11-23 00:37:36','<a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:37:36','2013-11-23 00:37:36','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(62,1,'2013-03-06 08:39:53','2013-03-06 00:39:53','<img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sites/default/files/field/image/400-04946683c_998_380.jpg\" width=\"998\" height=\"380\" />\n\nRecent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells.\n\nRead more in this <a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\">Outside Online Article</a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','publish','open','open','','fat-is-not-passive-in-your-body','','','2013-12-01 10:16:13','2013-12-01 02:16:13','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=62',0,'post','',0),(63,1,'2013-11-23 08:39:53','2013-11-23 00:39:53','Recent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells.\r\n<a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\" title=\"Your Fat Has a Brain\" target=\"_blank\"></a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','inherit','open','open','','62-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:39:53','2013-11-23 00:39:53','',62,'http://www.smartestplace.net/62-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(64,1,'2013-03-28 08:42:04','2013-03-28 00:42:04','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130327_192430.jpg\"><img title=\"20130327_192430.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130327_192430.jpg\" /></a> \n\nEverytime I visit Singapore, I\'m impressed. \n\n50 years ago it was a tiny, third-world nation. But through the visionary leadership of Lee Kwan Yew it is a phenomenon: A wealthy, modern city state, where diverse nationalities live and work together in relative harmony. \n\nIt has a bit of everything, but not too much of anything.\n\nSingapore has to be my favourite city in Asia.','Hello Singapore','','publish','open','open','','hello-singapore','','','2013-12-01 10:32:19','2013-12-01 02:32:19','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=64',0,'post','',0),(186,1,'2013-12-01 10:19:29','2013-12-01 02:19:29','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130331_115253.jpg\"><img title=\"20130331_115253.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130331_115253.jpg\" /></a>','Hello Singapore','','inherit','open','open','','64-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:19:29','2013-12-01 02:19:29','',64,'http://www.smartestplace.net/64-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(65,1,'2013-11-23 08:41:28','2013-11-23 00:41:28','','wpid-wp-1364464498724','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-wp-1364464498724','','','2013-11-23 08:41:28','2013-11-23 00:41:28','',64,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(66,1,'2013-11-23 08:42:04','2013-11-23 00:42:04','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg\"><img src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"wpid-wp-1364464498724\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-65\" /></a>','Hello Singapore','','inherit','open','open','','64-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:42:04','2013-11-23 00:42:04','',64,'http://www.smartestplace.net/64-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(70,1,'2013-03-28 08:46:15','2013-03-28 00:46:15','<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.smh.com.au/2011/09/30/2659494/729_couple-420x0.jpg\" width=\"420\" height=\"296\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Body image is a fascinating part of human psychology.\n\nIf this interests you, make sure you read this article from The Guardian: \n<a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\"> Men, you’re bigger than you think!\n(But women – you’re thinner)</a></p>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','publish','open','open','','male-vs-female-psychology','','','2013-12-01 09:50:23','2013-12-01 01:50:23','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=70',0,'post','',0),(71,1,'2013-11-23 08:46:15','2013-11-23 00:46:15','Men, you’re bigger than you think! (But women – you’re thinner)\r\n<a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\" title=\"Guardian Article\" target=\"_blank\"></a>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:46:15','2013-11-23 00:46:15','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(72,1,'2013-11-23 17:40:49','2013-11-23 09:40:49','<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.smh.com.au/2011/09/30/2659494/729_couple-420x0.jpg\" width=\"420\" height=\"296\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Men, you’re bigger than you think!\n(But women – you’re thinner)\nRead the <a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\">Guardian Article</a></p>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:40:49','2013-11-23 09:40:49','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(73,1,'2013-11-23 08:48:00','2013-11-23 00:48:00','Men, you’re bigger than you think! (But women – you’re thinner)\r\n<a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\">Guardian Article</a>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:48:00','2013-11-23 00:48:00','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(74,1,'2013-04-03 08:49:54','2013-04-03 00:49:54','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.personal.psu.edu/afr3/blogs/siowfa12/stretching.gif\" width=\"567\" height=\"491\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n\nStretching before exercise can do more harm than good, <a href=\"http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/reasons-not-to-stretch/\">here\'s why</a>. </p>\n\nIn a nutshell, the latest advice is to do dynamic stretching prior to exercise, and the more traditional static stretching after you work out.','Reasons not to stretch','','publish','open','open','','reasons-not-to-stretch','','','2013-12-01 09:45:44','2013-12-01 01:45:44','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=74',0,'post','',0),(75,1,'2013-11-23 08:49:54','2013-11-23 00:49:54','<a href=\"http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/reasons-not-to-stretch/\">Here\'s why</a>','Reasons not to stretch','','inherit','open','open','','74-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:49:54','2013-11-23 00:49:54','',74,'http://www.smartestplace.net/74-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(76,1,'2013-05-15 08:52:27','2013-05-15 00:52:27','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/inner-ecology-full-column.jpg\" width=\"524\" height=\"320\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Some years ago I read an interesting article about how <a href=\"http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-humans-carry-more-bacterial-cells-than-human-ones\" target=\"_blank\">there are more bacterial cells in the human body than human cells</a>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This got me thinking; if more of \'me\' is bacteria than myself, is the distinction really that important. With so many bacteria in us, I realised that the important thing was not ridding your body of bacteria, but making sure we keep them in balance - what we need is symbiotic relationship with them, not a parasitic one.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Anyway, it seems this idea is catching on. Read more in <a href=\"http://m.theweek.com/article.php?id=243992\">The Ecosystem inside you</a>.</p>','The ecosystem inside you','','publish','open','open','','the-ecosystem-inside-you','','','2013-11-30 09:14:45','2013-11-30 01:14:45','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=76',0,'post','',0),(77,1,'2013-11-23 08:52:27','2013-11-23 00:52:27','<a href=\"http://m.theweek.com/article.php?id=243992\">The Ecosystem inside you</a>','The ecosystem inside you','','inherit','open','open','','76-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:52:27','2013-11-23 00:52:27','',76,'http://www.smartestplace.net/76-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(78,1,'2013-11-23 08:54:15','2013-11-23 00:54:15','Recent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells. <a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\">Outside Online Article</a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','inherit','open','open','','62-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 08:54:15','2013-11-23 00:54:15','',62,'http://www.smartestplace.net/62-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(81,1,'2013-11-23 16:54:05','2013-11-23 08:54:05','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.australiansmallbusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/what-makes-a-good-business-plan-2.jpg\" width=\"424\" height=\"283\" /></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Interesting article from Entrepreneur Magazine:</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217768\">Myth of the Business Plan</a></p>','The Myth of the Business Plan','','inherit','open','open','','48-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 16:54:05','2013-11-23 08:54:05','',48,'http://www.smartestplace.net/48-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(80,1,'2013-11-23 09:12:08','2013-11-23 01:12:08','Hi there!\r\n\r\nI\'m Steve Smart ... just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia with a beautiful wife and two cats.\r\n\r\n<em>Why would you want to read my blog?</em>\r\n\r\nWell, that is for you to decide. I started writing this blog for myself; to be a bit like a notebook. So that I can record interesting things I\'ve read, share my thoughts on a variety of topics, and hopefully rack how my opinions and views evolve over time.\r\n\r\nSo for you, the reader of my blog, I just hope my thoughts add some ideas that can help you form your own opinions, and provide some insight into your own life.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 09:12:08','2013-11-23 01:12:08','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(82,1,'2013-11-23 16:57:01','2013-11-23 08:57:01','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.thevalueengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/coca-cola-glass.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" /><a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 16:57:01','2013-11-23 08:57:01','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(83,1,'2013-11-23 16:58:26','2013-11-23 08:58:26','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.thevalueengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/coca-cola-glass.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Interesting article in the Wall Street Journal</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a></p>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 16:58:26','2013-11-23 08:58:26','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(84,1,'2013-11-23 17:03:53','2013-11-23 09:03:53','<img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sites/default/files/field/image/400-04946683c_998_380.jpg\" width=\"998\" height=\"380\" />\r\n\r\nRecent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells. <a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\">Outside Online Article</a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','inherit','open','open','','62-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:03:53','2013-11-23 09:03:53','',62,'http://www.smartestplace.net/62-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(85,1,'2013-11-23 17:03:53','2013-11-23 09:03:53','<img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sites/default/files/field/image/400-04946683c_998_380.jpg\" width=\"998\" height=\"380\" />\n\nRecent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells. <a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\">Outside Online Article</a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','inherit','open','open','','62-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:03:53','2013-11-23 09:03:53','',62,'http://www.smartestplace.net/62-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(86,1,'2013-11-23 17:15:46','2013-11-23 09:15:46','<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.smh.com.au/2011/09/30/2659494/729_couple-420x0.jpg\" width=\"420\" height=\"296\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Men, you’re bigger than you think! (But women – you’re thinner)\r\n<a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\">Guardian Article</a></p>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:15:46','2013-11-23 09:15:46','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(87,1,'2013-11-30 09:13:52','2013-11-30 01:13:52','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/inner-ecology-full-column.jpg\" width=\"524\" height=\"320\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Some years ago I read an interesting article about how <a href=\"http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-humans-carry-more-bacterial-cells-than-human-ones\" target=\"_blank\">there are more bacterial cells in the human body than human cells</a>.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This got me thinking; if more of \'me\' is bacteria than myself, is the distinction really that important. With so many bacteria in us, I realised that the important thing was not so much ridding you body of bacteria, but keeping the bacteria in balance - what we need is symbiotic relationship with our bacteria, not a parasitic one.</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Anyway, it seems this idea is catching on. Read more in <a href=\"http://m.theweek.com/article.php?id=243992\">The Ecosystem inside you</a>.</p>','The ecosystem inside you','','inherit','open','open','','76-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-30 09:13:52','2013-11-30 01:13:52','',76,'http://www.smartestplace.net/76-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(88,1,'2013-11-23 17:23:15','2013-11-23 09:23:15','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/inner-ecology-full-column.jpg\" width=\"524\" height=\"320\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://m.theweek.com/article.php?id=243992\">The Ecosystem inside you</a></p>','The ecosystem inside you','','inherit','open','open','','76-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:23:15','2013-11-23 09:23:15','',76,'http://www.smartestplace.net/76-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(89,1,'2013-11-23 17:25:52','2013-11-23 09:25:52','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.personal.psu.edu/afr3/blogs/siowfa12/stretching.gif\" width=\"567\" height=\"491\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/reasons-not-to-stretch/\">Here\'s why</a></p>','Reasons not to stretch','','inherit','open','open','','74-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:25:52','2013-11-23 09:25:52','',74,'http://www.smartestplace.net/74-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(90,1,'2013-11-23 17:28:59','2013-11-23 09:28:59','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-65\" alt=\"wpid-wp-1364464498724\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a></p>','Hello Singapore','','inherit','open','open','','64-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:28:59','2013-11-23 09:28:59','',64,'http://www.smartestplace.net/64-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(91,1,'2013-11-23 17:36:30','2013-11-23 09:36:30','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in case you haven\'t listened to Steve Jobs\' 2005 commencement speech at Stanford, do yourself a favour and take twenty minutes out of your day to watch it.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>','One of the best speeches ever','','publish','open','open','','one-of-the-best-speeches-ever','','','2013-11-25 21:12:25','2013-11-25 13:12:25','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=91',0,'post','',0),(92,1,'2013-11-23 17:36:30','2013-11-23 09:36:30','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in case any of you have not listened to Steve Jobs\' commencement speech at Stanford, do yourself a favour and take twenty minutes out of your day to watch it.</p>\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>','One of the best speeches ever','','inherit','open','open','','91-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:36:30','2013-11-23 09:36:30','',91,'http://www.smartestplace.net/91-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(93,1,'2013-11-23 17:37:08','2013-11-23 09:37:08','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in case any of you have not listened to Steve Jobs\' commencement speech at Stanford, do yourself a favour and take twenty minutes out of your day to watch it.\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>','One of the best speeches ever','','inherit','open','open','','91-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:37:08','2013-11-23 09:37:08','',91,'http://www.smartestplace.net/91-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(94,1,'2013-11-23 17:37:58','2013-11-23 09:37:58','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in case you haven\'t listened to Steve Jobs\' 2005 commencement speech at Stanford, do yourself a favour and take twenty minutes out of your day to watch it.\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>','One of the best speeches ever','','inherit','open','open','','91-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:37:58','2013-11-23 09:37:58','',91,'http://www.smartestplace.net/91-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(95,1,'2013-11-23 17:39:44','2013-11-23 09:39:44','<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.smh.com.au/2011/09/30/2659494/729_couple-420x0.jpg\" width=\"420\" height=\"296\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Men, you’re bigger than you think!\r\n(But women – you’re thinner)\r\nRead the <a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\">Guardian Article</a></p>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-v1','','','2013-11-23 17:39:44','2013-11-23 09:39:44','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(96,1,'2013-11-24 13:37:51','0000-00-00 00:00:00','So naturally this has got me thinking about how I\'ll apply and adapt these ideas to my future businesses in the Software space. The continuous improvement within the software industry is synonymous with the Agile movement, but I\'ve already learned that Agile is at best ill-defined  \r\n\r\n[caption width=\"999\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.bexcellence.org/image-files/leantools.jpg\" width=\"999\" height=\"1000\" class /> Source: bexcellence.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"645\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/bpm/bpmjournal/1308_col_schume/images/leanprinciples.png\" width=\"645\" height=\"363\" /> Source: IBM Developerworks[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe','Lean Software Development','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-11-24 13:37:51','2013-11-24 05:37:51','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=96',0,'post','',0),(99,1,'2013-11-24 13:44:22','2013-11-24 05:44:22','One of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a \"Lean\" continuous improvement culture is a key ingredient for long-term success.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071392319/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0071392319&linkCode=as2&tag=smartestplace-20\">The Toyota Way</a><img src=\"http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=smartestplace-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0071392319\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" style=\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important;\" /> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\nIN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. \r\n\r\nCritical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carlos Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carlos had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about how we wished things were. Once we had faced the brutal facts we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best, otherwise our customers would shop elsewhere and our jobs would move overseas.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Who wouldn\'t want a workplace like that?','Lessons from Lean','','publish','open','open','','lessons-from-lean','','','2013-12-15 15:05:59','2013-12-15 07:05:59','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=99',0,'post','',0),(97,1,'2013-11-24 13:06:07','2013-11-24 05:06:07','One of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In fact to me that is what continuous improvement is all about. Care.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. \r\n\r\nSo naturally this has got me thinking about how I\'ll apply and adapt these ideas to my future businesses in the Software space. The continuous improvement within the software industry is synonymous with the Agile movement, but I\'ve already learned that Agile is at best ill-defined  \r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"645\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/bpm/bpmjournal/1308_col_schume/images/leanprinciples.png\" width=\"645\" height=\"363\" /> Source: IBM Developerworks[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe','Lean Software Development','','inherit','open','open','','96-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:06:07','2013-11-24 05:06:07','',96,'http://www.smartestplace.net/96-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(98,1,'2013-11-24 13:07:32','2013-11-24 05:07:32','\r\nSo naturally this has got me thinking about how I\'ll apply and adapt these ideas to my future businesses in the Software space. The continuous improvement within the software industry is synonymous with the Agile movement, but I\'ve already learned that Agile is at best ill-defined  \r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"645\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/bpm/bpmjournal/1308_col_schume/images/leanprinciples.png\" width=\"645\" height=\"363\" /> Source: IBM Developerworks[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe','Lean Software Development','','inherit','open','open','','96-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:07:32','2013-11-24 05:07:32','',96,'http://www.smartestplace.net/96-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(100,1,'2013-11-24 13:37:51','2013-11-24 05:37:51','So naturally this has got me thinking about how I\'ll apply and adapt these ideas to my future businesses in the Software space. The continuous improvement within the software industry is synonymous with the Agile movement, but I\'ve already learned that Agile is at best ill-defined  \r\n\r\n[caption width=\"999\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.bexcellence.org/image-files/leantools.jpg\" width=\"999\" height=\"1000\" class /> Source: bexcellence.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"645\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/bpm/bpmjournal/1308_col_schume/images/leanprinciples.png\" width=\"645\" height=\"363\" /> Source: IBM Developerworks[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe','Lean Software Development','','inherit','open','open','','96-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:37:51','2013-11-24 05:37:51','',96,'http://www.smartestplace.net/96-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(101,1,'2013-11-24 13:44:22','2013-11-24 05:44:22','[caption width=\"1131\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" class /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success. \r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement, developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, <strong>C</strong>heck how it went and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results next time).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas have been wholeheartedly adopted and developed in the Japanese manufacturing industries since the 1950s, most prominently being extolled in the management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em>. \r\n\r\n[caption width=\"507\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" class /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular use in any business that has considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"291\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" class /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis encouraged approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes(heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In fact to me that is what continuous improvement is all about. Care.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood. \r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best. \r\n\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.\r\n','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:44:22','2013-11-24 05:44:22','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(102,1,'2013-12-15 15:06:07','2013-12-15 07:06:07','One of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a \"Lean\" continuous improvement culture is a key ingredient for long-term success.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <a href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071392319/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0071392319&linkCode=as2&tag=smartestplace-20\">The Toyota Way</a><img src=\"http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=smartestplace-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0071392319\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" alt=\"\" style=\"border:none !important; margin:0px !important;\" /> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\nIN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. \r\n\r\nCritical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carlos Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carlos had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about how we wished things were. Once we had faced the brutal facts we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best, otherwise our customers would shop elsewhere and our jobs would move overseas.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Who wouldn\'t want a workplace like that?','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-autosave-v1','','','2013-12-15 15:06:07','2013-12-15 07:06:07','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(103,1,'2013-11-24 13:49:36','2013-11-24 05:49:36','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas have been wholeheartedly adopted and developed in the Japanese manufacturing industries since the 1950s, most prominently being extolled in the management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular use in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis encouraged approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes(heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me that is what continuous improvement is all about ONE WORD: Care.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:49:36','2013-11-24 05:49:36','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(105,1,'2013-11-24 13:54:13','2013-11-24 05:54:13','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis encouraged approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me that is what continuous improvement is all about ONE WORD: Care.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:54:13','2013-11-24 05:54:13','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(104,1,'2013-11-24 13:50:55','2013-11-24 05:50:55','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas have been wholeheartedly adopted and developed in the Japanese manufacturing industries since the 1950s, most prominently being extolled in the management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThis encouraged approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me that is what continuous improvement is all about ONE WORD: Care.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:50:55','2013-11-24 05:50:55','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(106,1,'2013-11-24 13:56:09','2013-11-24 05:56:09','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me,that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\n\r\niN ONE WORD: Care.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:56:09','2013-11-24 05:56:09','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(107,1,'2013-11-24 13:56:43','2013-11-24 05:56:43','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me,that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\niN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:56:43','2013-11-24 05:56:43','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(108,1,'2013-11-24 13:57:01','2013-11-24 05:57:01','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\niN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about we\'d like things to be. Once we had faced the brutal facts, we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:57:01','2013-11-24 05:57:01','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(109,1,'2013-11-24 13:58:46','2013-11-24 05:58:46','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\niN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about how we wished things were. Once we had faced the brutal facts we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best, otherwise our customers would shop elsewhere and our jobs would move overseas.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Onceyou get everyone on board, there is no stopping the Lean bus.','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 13:58:46','2013-11-24 05:58:46','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(110,1,'2013-11-24 14:00:17','2013-11-24 06:00:17','[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a continuous improvement culture is essential for long-term success.\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\niN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about how we wished things were. Once we had faced the brutal facts we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best, otherwise our customers would shop elsewhere and our jobs would move overseas.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Who wouldn\'t want a workplace like that?','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 14:00:17','2013-11-24 06:00:17','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(111,1,'2013-11-24 18:16:34','2013-11-24 10:16:34','One of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a \"Lean\" continuous improvement culture is a key ingredient for long-term success.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\niN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. Critical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carol Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carols had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about how we wished things were. Once we had faced the brutal facts we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best, otherwise our customers would shop elsewhere and our jobs would move overseas.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Who wouldn\'t want a workplace like that?','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 18:16:34','2013-11-24 10:16:34','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(112,1,'2013-11-24 18:17:37','2013-11-24 10:17:37','One of the biggest take-aways from my last business was the understanding that building a \"Lean\" continuous improvement culture is a key ingredient for long-term success.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1131\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.symbolbv.com/bestanden/Images%20UK/Lean%20Principles.png\" width=\"1131\" height=\"673\" /> Source: symbolbv.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nWhat has become known as the <em>Lean</em> movement developed out of Deming\'s continuous improvement management philosophies - based on the <em>PDCA cycle</em> (<strong>P</strong>lan what you are going to do, <strong>D</strong>o it, accurately <strong>C</strong>heck how it went using metrics and take <strong>A</strong>ctions to improve the results the next time you plan).\r\n\r\nDeming\'s ideas were wholeheartedly adopted by the Japanese manufacturing industry in the 1950s, and further developed since. The management processes known as <em>The Toyota Way</em> are the most well known of these.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://n-tono-a-sunshine.typepad.com/.a/6a00e55190509588340120a8d3886d970b-800wi\" width=\"507\" height=\"309\" /> Source: Tono Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nWaste reduction is a major theme, and has particular application in manufacturing businesses and any other business that holds considerable inventory.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"291\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.leaningforward.co.uk/images/7wastes2.jpg\" width=\"291\" height=\"175\" /> Source: leaningforward.co.uk[/caption]\r\n\r\nThe Toyota Way encourages approaches such as continuous improvement philosophy (kaizen), systematically reducing waste, encouraging continuous flow in work processes (heijunka) and avoiding overstocking by letting demand generate it\'s own supply (kanban). These ideas were further developed and adapted to a western audience under the term \"Lean\".\r\n\r\nMy own experiences with Lean were very positive. The benefits were everywhere to be seen; reduced costs, improved quality and, probably most importantly, an engaged and <em>caring</em> workforce.\r\n<blockquote>to me, that is what continuous improvement is all about.\r\niN ONE WORD: <strong>Care</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nAnything is possible you can build a business full of committed people who genuinely care; about each other, about their own development and growth, about making customers happy, and about doing things \"right\". It is the antithesis of the Australian \"she\'ll be right, mate\" approach.\r\n\r\nOne of the best things I did was to enrol all my staff in a formal \"Lean Manufacturing\" course. This was facilitated by an external coach, who over an 18-month period helped to transform our approach to work. Talk about fostering a \"can-do\" attitude, I saw formerly disengaged workers come alive with ideas that made their jobs easier, quicker and with better quality results. \r\n\r\nCritical to our success was having a great coach - someone who lived and breathed it. Our coach, Carlos Aguirre, was <em>simply awesome</em>. Carlos had a generous and caring approach, but was extremely challenging and hard on lazy thinking. Almost all of our staff (myself included) had differences of opinion with him during the course, but by the end of it ... we just understood.\r\n\r\nAll of our opposition to ideas within Lean were based on personal bias or sentimentalism about how we wished things were. Once we had faced the brutal facts we realised there was no other way than to strive to be the best, otherwise our customers would shop elsewhere and our jobs would move overseas.\r\n<blockquote>If there is ever going to be a renaissance in the Australian manufacturing, Lean is the only way.</blockquote>\r\nMy view is that irrespective of your industry, there is a lot to be learned from Lean. The power of Lean is that it is a philosophy that values individual and group creativity, hates waste and encourages people and organisations to grow. Who wouldn\'t want a workplace like that?','Lessons from Lean','','inherit','open','open','','99-revision-v1','','','2013-11-24 18:17:37','2013-11-24 10:17:37','',99,'http://www.smartestplace.net/99-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(113,1,'2013-11-25 05:42:10','2013-11-24 21:42:10','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in case you haven\'t listened to Steve Jobs\' 2005 commencement speech at Stanford, do yourself a favour and take twenty minutes out of your day to watch it.</p>\r\n<iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe>','One of the best speeches ever','','inherit','open','open','','91-revision-v1','','','2013-11-25 05:42:10','2013-11-24 21:42:10','',91,'http://www.smartestplace.net/91-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(114,1,'2013-11-25 21:12:25','2013-11-25 13:12:25','<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Just in case you haven\'t listened to Steve Jobs\' 2005 commencement speech at Stanford, do yourself a favour and take twenty minutes out of your day to watch it.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"//www.youtube.com/embed/UF8uR6Z6KLc\" height=\"315\" width=\"420\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"></iframe></p>','One of the best speeches ever','','inherit','open','open','','91-revision-v1','','','2013-11-25 21:12:25','2013-11-25 13:12:25','',91,'http://www.smartestplace.net/91-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(116,1,'2013-11-30 08:35:01','2013-11-30 00:35:01','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\" /></a>\n\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome. Lots of people to meet, places to eat, and small bars for after work drinks.\n\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the Swan River, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:35:01','2013-11-30 00:35:01','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(117,1,'2013-11-30 08:18:24','2013-11-30 00:18:24','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (or \'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome. My office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the river, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:18:24','2013-11-30 00:18:24','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(118,1,'2013-11-30 08:19:55','2013-11-30 00:19:55','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome.\r\n\r\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the river, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:19:55','2013-11-30 00:19:55','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(119,1,'2013-11-30 08:21:53','2013-11-30 00:21:53','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" style=\"width: 805px; height: 1557px;\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1999\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome.\r\n\r\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the river, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:21:53','2013-11-30 00:21:53','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(121,1,'2013-11-30 08:31:05','2013-11-30 00:31:05','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"> </a></p>\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome.\r\n\r\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the river, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:31:05','2013-11-30 00:31:05','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(120,1,'2013-11-30 08:23:29','2013-11-30 00:23:29','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" style=\"width: 805px; height: 1557px;\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1999\" /></a></p>\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome.\r\n\r\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the river, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:23:29','2013-11-30 00:23:29','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(122,1,'2013-11-30 08:32:43','2013-11-30 00:32:43','','wpid-wp-1384900149918.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-wp-1384900149918-jpg-2','','','2013-11-30 08:32:43','2013-11-30 00:32:43','',9,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(123,1,'2013-11-30 08:32:45','2013-11-30 00:32:45','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\"><img title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\" /></a> \n\n\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome.\n\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the river, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\n\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:32:45','2013-11-30 00:32:45','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(124,1,'2013-11-30 08:35:06','2013-11-30 00:35:06','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384900149918.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-13849001499181.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWhile running my own businesses is in my blood, there are some benefits of working for \"the Man\". As well as being able to get into IT and gaining experience in my preferred industry, working in the CBD (\'downtown\', for my north American friends) is awesome: Lots of people to meet, places to eat, and small bars for after work drinks.\r\n\r\nMy office is on the 21st floor of Perth\'s QV1 building, and from my desk the views are fantastic - of the Swan River, King\'s Park and the Indian Ocean. On a clear day, you can even see Rottnest island.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01bmtfx/features/contrast-binmen\" target=\"_blank\">Work could definitely be tougher than this</a>.','Just another day at the office...','','inherit','open','open','','9-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:35:06','2013-11-30 00:35:06','',9,'http://www.smartestplace.net/9-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(125,1,'2013-11-30 09:01:08','2013-11-30 01:01:08','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384899058086.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\" /></a>\n\nWe all have our vices. Mine is an addiction to news and current affairs... I just have an insatiable desire to know what is happening in the world, especially with \'breaking\' news.\n\nI think my habit turned to an addiction back with 9/11. I can remember being on the CNN site and seeing the news about a report that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre. This was still before the second had hit, and before any mention of terrorism. When the reports changed to say that it was an airliner, I can remember flicking through the channels on TV ... and no one was covering it. So I called the Channel 9 news desk (it was evening in Perth) and even they hadn\'t heard what was going down at that point.\n\nAnyway, like any addict I\'m in denial about my obsession and occasionally think about \'quitting\'. This never works, so I am now working on \'moderation\'. Think of blogging as my substitute.\n\nAt least I don\'t wake up in the night and check for breaking news stories anymore.','I\'m a news addict!','Can\'t help but login to BBC and CNN all day long.','inherit','open','open','','6-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-30 09:01:08','2013-11-30 01:01:08','',6,'http://www.smartestplace.net/6-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(126,1,'2013-11-30 08:43:13','2013-11-30 00:43:13','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384899058086.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe all have our vices. Mine is an addiction to news and current affairs... I just have an insatiable desire to know what is happening in the world, especially with \'breaking\' news.\r\n\r\nI think my habit turned to an addiction back with 9/11. I can remember being on the CNN site and seeing the news about a report that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre. This was still before the second had hit, and before any mention of terrorism. When the reports changed to say that it was an airliner, Ican remember turning on the TV ... and no channels were covering it. So I called the Channel 9 news desk (it was evening on Perth) and even they hadn\'t heard what was going down at that point!\r\n\r\nAnyway, like any addiction, I\'m in denial and think that I\'m \'quitting\'. At least I don\'t wake up the night and check for breaking news anymore.','I\'m a news addict!','Can\'t help but login to BBC and CNN all day long.','inherit','open','open','','6-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 08:43:13','2013-11-30 00:43:13','',6,'http://www.smartestplace.net/6-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(127,1,'2013-11-30 09:01:33','2013-11-30 01:01:33','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"wp-1384899058086.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1384899058086.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWe all have our vices. Mine is an addiction to news and current affairs... I just have an insatiable desire to know what is happening in the world, especially with \'breaking\' news.\r\n\r\nI think my habit turned to an addiction back with 9/11. I can remember being on the CNN site and seeing the news about a report that a plane had hit the World Trade Centre. This was still before the second had hit, and before any mention of terrorism. When the reports changed to say that it was an airliner, I can remember flicking through the channels on TV ... and no one was covering it. So I called the Channel 9 news desk (it was evening in Perth) and even they hadn\'t heard what was going down at that point.\r\n\r\nAnyway, like any addict I\'m in denial about my obsession and occasionally think about \'quitting\'. This never works, so I am now working on \'moderation\'. Think of blogging as my substitute.\r\n\r\nOn the bright side, at least I don\'t wake up in the night and check BBC for breaking news stories anymore.','I\'m a news addict!','Can\'t help but login to BBC and CNN all day long.','inherit','open','open','','6-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 09:01:33','2013-11-30 01:01:33','',6,'http://www.smartestplace.net/6-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(128,1,'2013-11-30 09:10:35','2013-11-30 01:10:35','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/inner-ecology-full-column.jpg\" width=\"524\" height=\"320\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Some years ago a read an interesting article about how <a href=\"http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-humans-carry-more-bacterial-cells-than-human-ones\" target=\"_blank\">there are more bacterial cells in the human body than human cells</a>. This got me thinking, if more of \'me\' is bacteria than myself is the distinction important. With so many bacteria, I realised that the important thing was not so much reidding you body of bacteria, but keeping it in balance - what we need is balance, symbiosis. It is the parasitic bacteria we have to worry about.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Anyway, it seems this idea is catching on. Read more in <a href=\"http://m.theweek.com/article.php?id=243992\">The Ecosystem inside you</a>.</p>','The ecosystem inside you','','inherit','open','open','','76-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 09:10:35','2013-11-30 01:10:35','',76,'http://www.smartestplace.net/76-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(129,1,'2013-11-30 09:14:45','2013-11-30 01:14:45','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.ecology.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/inner-ecology-full-column.jpg\" width=\"524\" height=\"320\" />\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Some years ago I read an interesting article about how <a href=\"http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-humans-carry-more-bacterial-cells-than-human-ones\" target=\"_blank\">there are more bacterial cells in the human body than human cells</a>.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">This got me thinking; if more of \'me\' is bacteria than myself, is the distinction really that important. With so many bacteria in us, I realised that the important thing was not ridding your body of bacteria, but making sure we keep them in balance - what we need is symbiotic relationship with them, not a parasitic one.</p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Anyway, it seems this idea is catching on. Read more in <a href=\"http://m.theweek.com/article.php?id=243992\">The Ecosystem inside you</a>.</p>','The ecosystem inside you','','inherit','open','open','','76-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 09:14:45','2013-11-30 01:14:45','',76,'http://www.smartestplace.net/76-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(397,1,'2014-01-18 13:27:11','2014-01-18 05:27:11','Here are some of my favourite programming references:\n\n<ul>JavaScript</ul>\nLearn on: <a href=\"http://jsfiddle.net/\">http://jsfiddle.net/</a>\nLearn about js closures. The big problem is that the Java engine is separate from the DOM engine (which is the representation of the webpage), so when references get broken things can be left hanging and you get memory leaks.\n\nDouglas Crockford’s web site:\nhttp://crockford.com/\nHis book is: http://www.amazon.com/JavaScript-Good-Parts-Douglas-Crockford/dp/0596517742\nAlso see YouTube - interesting part is MONADS.\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ifWcnQs6M\nECMA Script http://www.ecmascript.org/\n\nMay be better learning jquery (a library) or angularjs (google jsframework). Sencha is based on a kind of scaffolding. Each page item is an object.\n\nTime Series Databases\nGraphite http://graphite.wikidot.com\nRRDTool http://oss.oetiker.ch/rrdtool/\nhttp://opentsdb.net\n\nGraph Databases\nNeo4j\nTime aware Graphs http://www.slideshare.net/datablend/fluxgraph-a-timemachine-for-your-graphs\n\n\n\nRead Gartner Report\nThe Competitive Dynamics of the Consumer Web: Five Graphs Deliver a Sustainable Advantage','Programming','','inherit','closed','open','','384-revision-v1','','','2014-01-18 13:27:11','2014-01-18 05:27:11','',384,'http://www.smartestplace.net/384-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(132,1,'2013-11-30 09:29:34','2013-11-30 01:29:34','Placeholder','The importance of Rhythm','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-11-30 09:29:34','2013-11-30 01:29:34','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=132',0,'post','',0),(133,1,'2013-11-30 09:29:34','2013-11-30 01:29:34','Placeholder','The importance of Rhythm','','inherit','open','open','','132-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 09:29:34','2013-11-30 01:29:34','',132,'http://www.smartestplace.net/132-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(399,1,'2014-01-22 11:10:38','2014-01-22 03:10:38','Here are some of my favourite programming references:\r\n\r\n<ul>JavaScript</ul>\r\nLearn on: <a href=\"http://jsfiddle.net/\">http://jsfiddle.net/</a>\r\nLearn about js closures. The big problem is that the Java engine is separate from the DOM engine (which is the representation of the webpage), so when references get broken things can be left hanging and you get memory leaks.\r\n\r\nDouglas Crockford’s web site:\r\nhttp://crockford.com/\r\nHis book is: http://www.amazon.com/JavaScript-Good-Parts-Douglas-Crockford/dp/0596517742\r\nAlso see YouTube - interesting part is MONADS.\r\nhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2ifWcnQs6M\r\nECMA Script http://www.ecmascript.org/\r\n\r\nMay be better learning jquery (a library) or angularjs (google jsframework). Sencha is based on a kind of scaffolding. Each page item is an object.\r\n\r\nTime Series Databases\r\nGraphite http://graphite.wikidot.com\r\nRRDTool http://oss.oetiker.ch/rrdtool/\r\nhttp://opentsdb.net\r\n\r\nGraph Databases\r\nNeo4j\r\nTime aware Graphs http://www.slideshare.net/datablend/fluxgraph-a-timemachine-for-your-graphs\r\nNoe4j visualisation blog http://maxdemarzi.com/2012/01/11/graph-visualization-and-neo4j/\r\n\r\nRead Gartner Report\r\nThe Competitive Dynamics of the Consumer Web: Five Graphs Deliver a Sustainable Advantage','Programming','','inherit','closed','open','','384-revision-v1','','','2014-01-22 11:10:38','2014-01-22 03:10:38','',384,'http://www.smartestplace.net/384-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(136,1,'2013-11-30 22:02:52','2013-11-30 14:02:52','So you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\n\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \n\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\n\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\n\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \n\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\n\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\n\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \n\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly hope you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \nEnd of story.\n\n<blockquote>\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\n</blockquote>\n\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\n\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\n\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five.\n\nThis is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\"><img title=\"Steven Smart.JPG\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\" /></a> \n\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson.\n\nName his businesses.\n\nYou\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\n\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\n\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\n\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\n\nGood luck.','Your great business idea','','publish','open','open','','your-great-business-idea','','','2013-12-03 22:33:53','2013-12-03 14:33:53','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=136',0,'post','',0),(137,1,'2013-11-30 17:49:45','2013-11-30 09:49:45','Is a myth.\r\n\r\nWhat you need is a customer.','The great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 17:49:45','2013-11-30 09:49:45','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(140,1,'2013-11-30 18:19:47','2013-11-30 10:19:47','<blockquote>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>What this quote means to me: </em></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\">I\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. This has lead me to the dreaded Analysis Paralysis several times.</div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\">But as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the best outcome for me. There are simply choices we have to make.</div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\">So the best thing is when faced with a question, don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make them as best choice you can, given what you know at the time.</div>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:19:47','2013-11-30 10:19:47','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(142,1,'2013-11-30 18:21:43','2013-11-30 10:21:43','<blockquote>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>\r\n','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:21:43','2013-11-30 10:21:43','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(141,1,'2013-11-30 18:20:44','2013-11-30 10:20:44','<blockquote>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</blockquote>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"><em>- <b>Stanislaw Lem</b> (Solaris)</em></div>\r\n<div style=\"font-size: 20px;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 12px;\"><em>What this quote means to me: </em></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 12px;\">I\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. This has lead me to the dreaded Analysis Paralysis several times.</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 12px;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 12px;\">But as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the best outcome for me. There are simply choices we have to make.</div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 12px;\"></div>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: left; font-size: 12px;\">So the best thing is when faced with a question, don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make them as best choice you can, given what you know at the time.</div>','There are no answers, only choices','','inherit','open','open','','14-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:20:44','2013-11-30 10:20:44','',14,'http://www.smartestplace.net/14-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(146,1,'2013-11-21 18:25:53','2013-11-21 10:25:53','<strong>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</strong>\n\n<em>What this quote means to me:</em>\nI\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. During my life this has lead me to a state of \'Analysis Paralysis\' several times.\n\nBut as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that for the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the \'best\' outcome. There are simply choices.\n\nSo the best thing to do when faced with an important question is; don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make the best choice you can given what you know at the time, and move on.','Choices','','publish','open','open','','choices','','','2013-12-19 06:38:18','2013-12-18 22:38:18','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=146',0,'post','',0),(147,1,'2013-11-30 18:25:53','2013-11-30 10:25:53','<strong>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat this quote means to me: \r\nI\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. This has lead me to the dreaded Analysis Paralysis several times.\r\n\r\nBut as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the best outcome for me. There are simply choices we have to make.\r\n\r\nSo the best thing is when faced with a question, don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make them as best choice you can, given what you know at the time.','Choices','','inherit','open','open','','146-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:25:53','2013-11-30 10:25:53','',146,'http://www.smartestplace.net/146-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(148,1,'2013-11-30 18:27:56','2013-11-30 10:27:56','<strong>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</strong>\n\nWhat this quote means to me: \nI\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. During my life this has lead me to a state of \'Analysis Paralysis\' several times.\n\nBut as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the \'best\' outcome. There are simply choices.\n\nSo the best thing to do when faced with an important question is; don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make the best choice you can given what you know at the time, and move on.','Choices','','inherit','open','open','','146-autosave-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:27:56','2013-11-30 10:27:56','',146,'http://www.smartestplace.net/146-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(149,1,'2013-11-30 18:28:33','2013-11-30 10:28:33','<strong>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</strong>\r\n\r\nWhat this quote means to me: \r\nI\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. During my life this has lead me to a state of \'Analysis Paralysis\' several times.\r\n\r\nBut as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the \'best\' outcome. There are simply choices.\r\n\r\nSo the best thing to do when faced with an important question is; don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make the best choice you can given what you know at the time, and move on.','Choices','','inherit','open','open','','146-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:28:33','2013-11-30 10:28:33','',146,'http://www.smartestplace.net/146-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(150,1,'2013-11-30 18:46:02','2013-11-30 10:46:02','So you\'ve come up with a great idea. Or perhaps you\'ve seen a guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. \n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it, that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys on the front cover of Fast Company, or entrepreneur magazine. \n\nIs a myth.\n\nWhat you need is a customer.','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 18:46:02','2013-11-30 10:46:02','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(151,1,'2013-11-30 21:37:40','2013-11-30 13:37:40','<strong>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>What this quote means to me:</em>\r\nI\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. During my life this has lead me to a state of \'Analysis Paralysis\' several times.\r\n\r\nBut as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that with the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the \'best\' outcome. There are simply choices.\r\n\r\nSo the best thing to do when faced with an important question is; don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make the best choice you can given what you know at the time, and move on.','Choices','','inherit','open','open','','146-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 21:37:40','2013-11-30 13:37:40','',146,'http://www.smartestplace.net/146-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(152,1,'2013-11-30 21:41:39','2013-11-30 13:41:39','<strong>\"There are no answers, only choices\"</strong>\r\n\r\n<em>What this quote means to me:</em>\r\nI\'m a thinker, and I appreciate you only get one shot at life - so I want to get it right. During my life this has lead me to a state of \'Analysis Paralysis\' several times.\r\n\r\nBut as time goes by, I\'ve come to realise that for the most important questions there is no one \'right\' answer that will result in the \'best\' outcome. There are simply choices.\r\n\r\nSo the best thing to do when faced with an important question is; don\'t take too long. There is often more to be lost by not making a decision. Just make the best choice you can given what you know at the time, and move on.','Choices','','inherit','open','open','','146-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 21:41:39','2013-11-30 13:41:39','',146,'http://www.smartestplace.net/146-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(153,1,'2013-11-30 22:02:52','2013-11-30 14:02:52','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea. Or perhaps you\'ve seen a guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys on the front cover of Fast Company, or entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nThe good news, is that there is a secret about what it takes to make a great business, and what you need to make it happen. And I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article.\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business. What you actually need is a customer.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll you need is a customer. One that comes back, and back, and back.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 22:02:52','2013-11-30 14:02:52','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(154,1,'2013-12-03 22:12:06','2013-12-03 14:12:06','&nbsp;\n\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\n\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \n\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\n\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\n\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \n\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\n\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\n\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \n\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \nEnd of story.\n\n<blockquote>\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\n</blockquote>\n\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\n\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea I had was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\n\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\n\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. \n\nName his businesses. \n\nYou\'ll be lucky if you can think of 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\n\nBut having met him, and heard him speak, he is not the swashbuckling person you imagine. He is actually very cautious. One of his best pieces of business advice is to \'protect against the downside\'. In a nutshell, he will invest in a business but only if the opportunity is large and he can limit his risk. If things don\'t work out, he must know he can cut his losses and exit stage left.\n\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. \n\nSuccessful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just because of the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of any great business.\n\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\n\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house\n\nGood luck.\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-autosave-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:12:06','2013-12-03 14:12:06','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(155,1,'2013-11-30 22:09:11','2013-11-30 14:09:11','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen a guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, make sure you were born in the United States. Come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risk your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you\'ve done all this make sure that you are less than 22 year old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that there is a secret about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. And I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. But first let me give you my experiences.\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business. What you actually need is a customer.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll you need is a customer. One that comes back, and back, and back.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 22:09:11','2013-11-30 14:09:11','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(156,1,'2013-11-30 22:09:43','2013-11-30 14:09:43','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, make sure you were born in the United States. Come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risk your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you\'ve done all this make sure that you are less than 22 year old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that there is a secret about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. And I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. But first let me give you my experiences.\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business. What you actually need is a customer.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll you need is a customer. One that comes back, and back, and back.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 22:09:43','2013-11-30 14:09:43','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(157,1,'2013-11-30 22:13:00','2013-11-30 14:13:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, finally this make sure that you are less than 22 year old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that this is rubbish. I know lot\'s of people who\'ve been successful. There is a secret about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. And I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. But first let me give you my experiences.\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business. What you actually need is a customer.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll you need is a customer. One that comes back, and back, and back.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-11-30 22:13:00','2013-11-30 14:13:00','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(158,1,'2013-12-01 08:50:53','2013-12-01 00:50:53','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is in the end a collection of ideas. \n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really, depending on what you are interested in. \n\nIf you are looking to challenge your opinions and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single area of my discussions. For example, I have a passion for business and if this interests you, then I hope that some of the war stories I share may help you with your endeavours.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 08:50:53','2013-12-01 00:50:53','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(159,1,'2013-12-01 08:54:04','2013-12-01 00:54:04','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen. But all are interesting. \n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really, depending on what you are interested in. \n\nIf you are looking to challenge your opinions and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single area of my discussions. For example, I have a passion for business and if this interests you, then I hope that some of the war stories I share may help you with your endeavours.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that fine too.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 08:54:04','2013-12-01 00:54:04','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(160,1,'2013-12-01 08:56:16','2013-12-01 00:56:16','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, and but pretty much all are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really, depending on what you are interested in. \n\nIf you are looking to challenge your opinions and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single area of my discussions. For example, I have a passion for business and if this interests you, then I hope that some of the war stories I share may help you with your endeavours.\n\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that fine too.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 08:56:16','2013-12-01 00:56:16','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(161,1,'2013-12-01 09:05:35','2013-12-01 01:05:35','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I didn\'t think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nAnother set of ideas I discuss regularly is what I call Pragmatic Politics... How to get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without ideological dogmatism. \n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. Maybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:05:35','2013-12-01 01:05:35','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(162,1,'2013-12-01 09:09:04','2013-12-01 01:09:04','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I didn\'t think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nIf <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. Maybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:09:04','2013-12-01 01:09:04','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(163,1,'2013-12-01 09:09:42','2013-12-01 01:09:42','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nIf <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. Maybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:09:42','2013-12-01 01:09:42','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(164,1,'2013-12-01 09:11:25','2013-12-01 01:11:25','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nIf <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. Maybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:11:25','2013-12-01 01:11:25','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(165,1,'2013-12-01 09:12:59','2013-12-01 01:12:59','Hi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nIf <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:12:59','2013-12-01 01:12:59','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(166,1,'2013-12-01 09:19:00','2013-12-01 01:19:00','','wpid-preview.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-preview-jpg','','','2013-12-01 09:19:00','2013-12-01 01:19:00','',2,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(167,1,'2013-12-01 09:19:01','2013-12-01 01:19:01','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\"><img title=\".preview.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\" /></a> \n\nHi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic that I like to discuss. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nIf <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:19:01','2013-12-01 01:19:01','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(168,1,'2013-12-01 09:21:26','2013-12-01 01:21:26','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\"><img title=\".preview.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\" /></a> \n\nHi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nI If you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic that I like to discuss. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nOr if <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without being constrained by ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:21:26','2013-12-01 01:21:26','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(169,1,'2013-12-01 09:22:46','2013-12-01 01:22:46','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\"><img title=\".preview.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\" /></a> \n\nHi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf you want to <strong>challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic that I like to discuss. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nOr if <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without being constrained by ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:22:46','2013-12-01 01:22:46','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(170,1,'2013-12-01 09:24:43','2013-12-01 01:24:43','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\"><img title=\".preview.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\" /></a> \n\nHi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf <strong>you want to challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in a single topic that I like to discuss. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nOr if <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without being constrained by ideological dogmatism.\n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:24:43','2013-12-01 01:24:43','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(171,1,'2013-12-01 09:28:51','2013-12-01 01:28:51','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\"><img title=\".preview.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-preview.jpg\" /></a> \n\nHi there!\n\nI\'m Steve Smart ... there are many ways people describe me, but really I\'m just a regular guy living in Perth, Western Australia. \n\nI have a passion for thinking about stuff. Any stuff really, but particularly things that make our world a better place. \n\n\'The Smartest\' is a collection of ideas. Many are my own, most are stolen, but I think you\'ll find that pretty much all of them are interesting.\n\n<em>Why should you read \'The Smartest\' ?</em>\n\nWell there are two reasons really... \n\nIf <strong>you want to challenge your opinions</strong> and develop a mature view of the world and your place in it, then most of what you read here will be of interest. \n\nAlternatively, you might just be interested in one of my focus topics. For example, if <strong>you have a passion for business</strong>, then I hope that some of my experiences l may help you with your endeavour. \n\nOr if <strong>you are interested in pragmatic politics</strong>, I regularly discuss ideas about how we can get the best outcomes for society as a whole, without being constrained by ideological dogmatism.\n\nFrom time to time I also discuss health, philosophy, psychology and travel. \n\nOr you might not be interested at all. Well, that\'s fine too. \n\nMaybe the Smartest place on the net is not for you.','About','','inherit','open','open','','2-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:28:51','2013-12-01 01:28:51','',2,'http://www.smartestplace.net/2-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(172,1,'2013-12-01 09:45:44','2013-12-01 01:45:44','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.personal.psu.edu/afr3/blogs/siowfa12/stretching.gif\" width=\"567\" height=\"491\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n\nStretching before exercise can do more harm than good, <a href=\"http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/03/reasons-not-to-stretch/\">here\'s why</a>. </p>\n\nIn a nutshell, the latest advice is to do dynamic stretching prior to exercise, and the more traditional static stretching after you work out.','Reasons not to stretch','','inherit','open','open','','74-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:45:44','2013-12-01 01:45:44','',74,'http://www.smartestplace.net/74-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(173,1,'2013-12-01 09:48:33','2013-12-01 01:48:33','<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.smh.com.au/2011/09/30/2659494/729_couple-420x0.jpg\" width=\"420\" height=\"296\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Body image is a fascinating part of human psychology. If this interests you, make sure you read this article from The Guardian: \n\nRead the <a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\"> Men, you’re bigger than you think!\n(But women – you’re thinner)</a></p>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:48:33','2013-12-01 01:48:33','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(174,1,'2013-12-01 09:50:23','2013-12-01 01:50:23','<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.smh.com.au/2011/09/30/2659494/729_couple-420x0.jpg\" width=\"420\" height=\"296\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">Body image is a fascinating part of human psychology.\n\nIf this interests you, make sure you read this article from The Guardian: \n<a href=\"http://m.guardian.co.uk/society/blog/2013/mar/28/men-women-weight-underestimate\"> Men, you’re bigger than you think!\n(But women – you’re thinner)</a></p>','Male vs. Female Psychology','','inherit','open','open','','70-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 09:50:23','2013-12-01 01:50:23','',70,'http://www.smartestplace.net/70-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(175,1,'2013-12-01 10:07:04','2013-12-01 02:07:04','Smart\nContent\nQuiet\nBeautiful\nAnimated\nAverse to movement\nCommitted husband\nCat lover\nLike my dad\nLike my mum\n\n\nA quick learner\nA businessman\nAn engineer\nA business owner\nAn IT professional\nA scrum master\nAn entrepreneur\nA nerd\n\nDriven\nEntrepenurial\nFocussed\n\nA Karateka\nA Liberal\nPolitical hack\n\nPriveleged\nPrivate school boy\nMiddle class\nWhite Anglo-Saxon Male','The ways people describe me','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-12-02 08:19:46','2013-12-02 00:19:46','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=175',0,'post','',0),(176,1,'2013-12-01 10:07:04','2013-12-01 02:07:04','Smart\nContent\nQuiet\nBeautiful\nAnimated\nAverse to movement\nCommitted husband\nCat lover\nLike my dad\nLike my mum\n\nA quick learner\nA businessman\nAn engineer\nA business owner\nAn IT professional\nAn entrepreneur\nA nerd\n\nDriven\nEntrepenurial\nFocussed\n\nA Karateka\nA Liberal\nPolitical hack\n\nPriveleged\nPrivate school boy\nMiddle class\nWhite Anglo-Saxon Male','The ways people describe me','','inherit','open','open','','175-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:07:04','2013-12-01 02:07:04','',175,'http://www.smartestplace.net/175-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(177,1,'2013-12-01 10:08:40','2013-12-01 02:08:40','To be successful need all\n\nEsp Sales. \n\nOr if not, deep technical knowledge or strategic acumen.','T Skills','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-12-01 10:08:40','2013-12-01 02:08:40','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=177',0,'post','',0),(178,1,'2013-12-01 10:08:40','2013-12-01 02:08:40','To be successful need all\n\nEsp Sales. \n\nOr if not, deep technical knowledge or strategic acumen.','T Skills','','inherit','open','open','','177-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:08:40','2013-12-01 02:08:40','',177,'http://www.smartestplace.net/177-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(179,1,'2013-12-01 10:10:17','2013-12-01 02:10:17','Just do it','Set boundaries early','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-12-01 10:10:17','2013-12-01 02:10:17','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=179',0,'post','',0),(180,1,'2013-12-01 10:10:17','2013-12-01 02:10:17','Just do it','Set boundaries early','','inherit','open','open','','179-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:10:17','2013-12-01 02:10:17','',179,'http://www.smartestplace.net/179-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(181,1,'2013-12-01 10:11:06','2013-12-01 02:11:06','<img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sites/default/files/field/image/400-04946683c_998_380.jpg\" width=\"998\" height=\"380\" />\n\nRecent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells. Read more in the <a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\">Outside Online Article</a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','inherit','open','open','','62-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:11:06','2013-12-01 02:11:06','',62,'http://www.smartestplace.net/62-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(182,1,'2013-12-01 10:14:11','2013-12-01 02:14:11','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.thevalueengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/coca-cola-glass.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">With the rise of obesity,  there is clearly a shift in public thinking with respect to sugar. This is changing the game for some of the heavyweights of the food industry. I read more in this article from The Wall Street Journal</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a></p>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:14:11','2013-12-01 02:14:11','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(183,1,'2013-12-01 10:15:42','2013-12-01 02:15:42','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.thevalueengineers.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/coca-cola-glass.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" />\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">With the rise of obesity,  there is clearly a shift in public thinking with respect to sugar. This is changing the game for some of the heavyweights of the food industry.\n\nRead more in this article from The Wall Street Journal</p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323375204578271812279782972.html\">Coke and the Calorie Wars</a></p>','The Calorie Wars','','inherit','open','open','','58-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:15:42','2013-12-01 02:15:42','',58,'http://www.smartestplace.net/58-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(184,1,'2013-12-01 10:16:13','2013-12-01 02:16:13','<img class=\"alignnone\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.berkeleywellness.com/sites/default/files/field/image/400-04946683c_998_380.jpg\" width=\"998\" height=\"380\" />\n\nRecent research has shown that fat competes with muscle in the body, even inside the muscles own cells.\n\nRead more in this <a href=\"http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/Your-Fat-Has-a-Brain.html?page=all\">Outside Online Article</a>','Fat is not passive in your body','','inherit','open','open','','62-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:16:13','2013-12-01 02:16:13','',62,'http://www.smartestplace.net/62-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(185,1,'2013-12-01 10:19:28','2013-12-01 02:19:28','','wpid-20130331_115253.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20130331_115253-jpg','','','2013-12-01 10:19:28','2013-12-01 02:19:28','',64,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130331_115253.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(187,1,'2013-03-28 10:21:00','2013-03-28 02:21:00','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-65\" alt=\"wpid-wp-1364464498724\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFor the first time, this holiday we upgraded to the Club Package at the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore. What decadence! \r\n\r\nIt costs a bit more, but they sure make you feel special.','The Club Package','','publish','open','open','','the-club-package','','','2013-12-03 20:23:36','2013-12-03 12:23:36','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=187',0,'post','',0),(188,1,'2013-12-01 10:20:54','2013-12-01 02:20:54','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-65\" alt=\"wpid-wp-1364464498724\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>','The Club Package','','inherit','open','open','','187-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:20:54','2013-12-01 02:20:54','',187,'http://www.smartestplace.net/187-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(189,1,'2013-12-01 10:32:18','2013-12-01 02:32:18','','wpid-20130327_192430.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20130327_192430-jpg','','','2013-12-01 10:32:18','2013-12-01 02:32:18','',64,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130327_192430.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(190,1,'2013-12-01 10:32:19','2013-12-01 02:32:19','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130327_192430.jpg\"><img title=\"20130327_192430.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20130327_192430.jpg\" /></a> \n\nEverytime I visit Singapore, I\'m impressed. \n\n50 years ago it was a tiny, third-world nation. But through the visionary leadership of Lee Kwan Yew it is a phenomenon: A wealthy, modern city state, where diverse nationalities live and work together in relative harmony. \n\nIt has a bit of everything, but not too much of anything.\n\nSingapore has to be my favourite city in Asia.','Hello Singapore','','inherit','open','open','','64-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 10:32:19','2013-12-01 02:32:19','',64,'http://www.smartestplace.net/64-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(191,1,'2013-10-06 22:05:00','2013-10-06 14:05:00','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"20131006_171254.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWow, Beijing. What an awesome city. So much history, and so much to see.\r\n\r\nThe thing that sets Beijing apart from other cities in China is the diversity. From the most upscale shopping districts, to the Hutongs, to the chaos of the West Beijing train station. History and modernity all wrapped up in one place.\r\n\r\nWill definitely visit again.','Hello Beijing','','publish','open','open','','hello-beijing','','','2013-12-03 20:19:56','2013-12-03 12:19:56','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=191',0,'post','',0),(192,1,'2013-12-01 16:51:20','2013-12-01 08:51:20','Placeholder','Hello Beijing','','inherit','open','open','','191-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 16:51:20','2013-12-01 08:51:20','',191,'http://www.smartestplace.net/191-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(193,1,'2013-12-01 16:53:00','2013-12-01 08:53:00','It has all been done before.','On Management','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-12-01 16:53:00','2013-12-01 08:53:00','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=193',0,'post','',0),(194,1,'2013-12-01 16:53:00','2013-12-01 08:53:00','It has all been done before.','On Management','','inherit','open','open','','193-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 16:53:00','2013-12-01 08:53:00','',193,'http://www.smartestplace.net/193-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(195,1,'2013-12-01 16:55:21','2013-12-01 08:55:21','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-65\" alt=\"wpid-wp-1364464498724\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\nFor the first time, this holiday we upgraded to the Club Package. What decadence! \n\nIt costs a but more, but they sure make you feel special.','The Club Package','','inherit','open','open','','187-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 16:55:21','2013-12-01 08:55:21','',187,'http://www.smartestplace.net/187-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(196,1,'2013-12-01 22:01:00','2013-12-01 14:01:00','','wpid-20131015_191953.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20131015_191953-jpg','','','2013-12-01 22:01:00','2013-12-01 14:01:00','',197,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131015_191953.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(197,1,'2013-10-14 22:01:02','2013-10-14 14:01:02','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"20131013_153335.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFirst time in Shanghai. Amazing to believe that 15 years ago none of the buildings we can see from our hotel room window had been built.\r\n\r\nShanghai is impressive, but it just doesn\'t seem to have the soul of Beijing.','Hello Shanghai','','publish','open','open','','hello-shanghai','','','2013-12-03 18:35:39','2013-12-03 10:35:39','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=197',0,'post','',0),(209,1,'2013-12-03 18:29:28','2013-12-03 10:29:28','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131015_191953.jpg\"> </a>','Hello Shanghai','','inherit','open','open','','197-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 18:29:28','2013-12-03 10:29:28','',197,'http://www.smartestplace.net/197-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(198,1,'2013-12-01 22:01:02','2013-12-01 14:01:02','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131015_191953.jpg\"><img title=\"20131015_191953.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131015_191953.jpg\" /></a>','Hello Shanghai','','inherit','open','open','','197-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 22:01:02','2013-12-01 14:01:02','',197,'http://www.smartestplace.net/197-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(199,1,'2013-12-01 22:03:03','2013-12-01 14:03:03','','wpid-20131012_092303.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20131012_092303-jpg','','','2013-12-01 22:03:03','2013-12-01 14:03:03','',200,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(200,1,'2013-10-11 22:03:04','2013-10-11 14:03:04','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg\"><img title=\"20131012_092303.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThis trip we decided to pull in a visit to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. \r\n\r\nXian is a huge, dirty city a days drive inland. The old city is surrounded by a beautiful city wall, with some wonderful gate houses. At night there is a bustling night market to the east of the city. But the highlight is most definitely a visit to the Terracotta Warriors, about an hour north by bus.\r\n\r\nOther than the Warriors, Xian is not worth the visit. But the Terracotta Warriors certainly are fascinating themselves.','Hello Xian','','publish','open','open','','hello-xian','','','2013-12-03 20:30:12','2013-12-03 12:30:12','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=200',0,'post','',0),(201,1,'2013-12-01 22:03:04','2013-12-01 14:03:04','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg\"><img title=\"20131012_092303.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg\" /></a>','Hello Xian','','inherit','open','open','','200-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 22:03:04','2013-12-01 14:03:04','',200,'http://www.smartestplace.net/200-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(202,1,'2013-12-01 22:04:41','2013-12-01 14:04:41','See where you are','Visual Management','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-12-01 22:04:41','2013-12-01 14:04:41','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=202',0,'post','',0),(203,1,'2013-12-01 22:04:41','2013-12-01 14:04:41','See where you are','Visual Management','','inherit','open','open','','202-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 22:04:41','2013-12-01 14:04:41','',202,'http://www.smartestplace.net/202-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(204,1,'2013-12-01 22:06:44','2013-12-01 14:06:44','','wpid-20131009_121729.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20131009_121729-jpg','','','2013-12-01 22:06:44','2013-12-01 14:06:44','',191,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(205,1,'2013-12-01 22:06:45','2013-12-01 14:06:45','Placeholder\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\"><img title=\"20131009_121729.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\" /></a>','Hello Beijing','','inherit','open','open','','191-revision-v1','','','2013-12-01 22:06:45','2013-12-01 14:06:45','',191,'http://www.smartestplace.net/191-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(206,1,'2013-12-02 08:19:46','2013-12-02 00:19:46','Smart\nContent\nQuiet\nBeautiful\nAnimated\nAverse to movement\nCommitted husband\nCat lover\nLike my dad\nLike my mum\n\n\nA quick learner\nA businessman\nAn engineer\nA business owner\nAn IT professional\nA scrum master\nAn entrepreneur\nA nerd\n\nDriven\nEntrepenurial\nFocussed\n\nA Karateka\nA Liberal\nPolitical hack\n\nPriveleged\nPrivate school boy\nMiddle class\nWhite Anglo-Saxon Male','The ways people describe me','','inherit','open','open','','175-revision-v1','','','2013-12-02 08:19:46','2013-12-02 00:19:46','',175,'http://www.smartestplace.net/175-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(207,1,'2013-12-03 16:22:44','2013-12-03 08:22:44','Beginners guide','Smarter Business','','draft','open','open','','','','','2013-12-03 16:22:44','2013-12-03 08:22:44','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?page_id=207',0,'page','',0),(208,1,'2013-12-03 16:22:44','2013-12-03 08:22:44','Beginners guide','Smarter Business','','inherit','open','open','','207-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 16:22:44','2013-12-03 08:22:44','',207,'http://www.smartestplace.net/207-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(210,1,'2013-12-03 18:33:14','2013-12-03 10:33:14','','wpid-20131013_153335.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20131013_153335-jpg','','','2013-12-03 18:33:14','2013-12-03 10:33:14','',197,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(211,1,'2013-12-03 18:33:15','2013-12-03 10:33:15','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg\"><img title=\"20131013_153335.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg\" /></a> \n\nFirst time in Shanghai. Amazing to believe that 15 years ago none of the buildings we can see from our hotel room window were there. \n\nShanghai is impressive, but it just doesn\'t seem to have the soul of Beijing.','Hello Shanghai','','inherit','open','open','','197-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 18:33:15','2013-12-03 10:33:15','',197,'http://www.smartestplace.net/197-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(212,1,'2013-12-03 18:35:39','2013-12-03 10:35:39','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"20131013_153335.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131013_153335.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFirst time in Shanghai. Amazing to believe that 15 years ago none of the buildings we can see from our hotel room window had been built.\r\n\r\nShanghai is impressive, but it just doesn\'t seem to have the soul of Beijing.','Hello Shanghai','','inherit','open','open','','197-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 18:35:39','2013-12-03 10:35:39','',197,'http://www.smartestplace.net/197-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(213,1,'2013-12-03 20:16:12','2013-12-03 12:16:12','','wpid-20131006_171254.jpg','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-20131006_171254-jpg','','','2013-12-03 20:16:12','2013-12-03 12:16:12','',191,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(214,1,'2013-12-03 20:16:14','2013-12-03 12:16:14','Placeholder\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg\"><img title=\"20131006_171254.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg\" /></a> \n\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\"><img title=\"20131009_121729.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\" /></a>','Hello Beijing','','inherit','open','open','','191-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:16:14','2013-12-03 12:16:14','',191,'http://www.smartestplace.net/191-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(215,1,'2013-12-03 20:19:56','2013-12-03 12:19:56','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"20131006_171254.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131006_171254.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nWow, Beijing. What an awesome city. So much history, and so much to see.\r\n\r\nThe thing that sets Beijing apart from other cities in China is the diversity. From the most upscale shopping districts, to the Hutongs, to the chaos of the West Beijing train station. History and modernity all wrapped up in one place.\r\n\r\nWill definitely visit again.','Hello Beijing','','inherit','open','open','','191-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:19:56','2013-12-03 12:19:56','',191,'http://www.smartestplace.net/191-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(216,1,'2013-10-08 20:22:28','2013-10-08 12:22:28','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"20131009_121729.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t see it from space. But you can certainly see it from down here. \r\n\r\nSuzanne and I did a 4-hour hike along the quieter \'Jinshanling\' section of the wall, about two hours north of Beijing.\r\n\r\nAnother one off the bucket list.','Hello Great Wall','','publish','open','open','','hello-great-wall','','','2013-12-03 20:24:34','2013-12-03 12:24:34','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=216',0,'post','',0),(217,1,'2013-12-03 20:22:28','2013-12-03 12:22:28','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-full\" title=\"20131009_121729.jpg\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131009_121729.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nYou can\'t see it from space. But you can certainly see it from down here. \r\n\r\nSuzanne and I did a 4-hour hike along the quieter \'Jinshanling\' section of the wall, about two hours north of Beijing.\r\n\r\nAnother one off the bucket list.','Hello Great Wall','','inherit','open','open','','216-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:22:28','2013-12-03 12:22:28','',216,'http://www.smartestplace.net/216-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(218,1,'2013-12-03 20:23:36','2013-12-03 12:23:36','<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724.jpg\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-65\" alt=\"wpid-wp-1364464498724\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/wpid-wp-1364464498724-225x300.jpg\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\nFor the first time, this holiday we upgraded to the Club Package at the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore. What decadence! \r\n\r\nIt costs a bit more, but they sure make you feel special.','The Club Package','','inherit','open','open','','187-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:23:36','2013-12-03 12:23:36','',187,'http://www.smartestplace.net/187-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(219,1,'2013-12-03 20:30:12','2013-12-03 12:30:12','<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg\"><img title=\"20131012_092303.jpg\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-20131012_092303.jpg\" /></a>\r\n\r\nThis trip we decided to pull in a visit to the Terracotta Warriors in Xian. \r\n\r\nXian is a huge, dirty city a days drive inland. The old city is surrounded by a beautiful city wall, with some wonderful gate houses. At night there is a bustling night market to the east of the city. But the highlight is most definitely a visit to the Terracotta Warriors, about an hour north by bus.\r\n\r\nOther than the Warriors, Xian is not worth the visit. But the Terracotta Warriors certainly are fascinating themselves.','Hello Xian','','inherit','open','open','','200-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:30:12','2013-12-03 12:30:12','',200,'http://www.smartestplace.net/200-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(220,1,'2013-12-03 20:31:32','2013-12-03 12:31:32','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, finally this make sure that you are less than 22 year old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that this is rubbish. I know lot\'s of people who\'ve been successful. There is a secret about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. And I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. But first let me give you my experiences.\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business. What you actually need is a customer.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll you need is a customer. One that comes back, and back, and back.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:31:32','2013-12-03 12:31:32','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(221,1,'2013-12-03 20:32:29','2013-12-03 12:32:29','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that this is rubbish. I know lot\'s of people who\'ve been successful. There is a secret about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. And I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. But first let me give you my experiences.\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business. What you actually need is a customer.</blockquote>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAll you need is a customer. One that comes back, and back, and back.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:32:29','2013-12-03 12:32:29','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(222,1,'2013-12-03 20:45:41','2013-12-03 12:45:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire Magazine is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. But what I\'ve discovered is that there is an overlooked \'secret\' about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the magazine myth of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . The lesson is that the only judge of a business idea is if you can get sales. And preferably, repeat sales from a good customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n<strong>What you actually need is a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\n\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:45:41','2013-12-03 12:45:41','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(223,1,'2013-12-03 20:47:30','2013-12-03 12:47:30','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. But what I\'ve discovered is that there is an overlooked \'secret\' about what it takes to create a great business, and what you need to do to make it happen. I\'ll tell you what it is later in this article. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the magazine myth of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . The lesson is that the only judge of a business idea is if you can get sales. And preferably, repeat sales from a good customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n<strong>What you actually need is a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\n\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:47:30','2013-12-03 12:47:30','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(224,1,'2013-12-03 20:52:24','2013-12-03 12:52:24','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the magazine myth of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . The lesson is that the only judge of a business idea is if you can get sales. And preferably, repeat sales from a good customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n<strong>What you actually need is a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:52:24','2013-12-03 12:52:24','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(225,1,'2013-12-03 20:53:48','2013-12-03 12:53:48','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the magazine myth of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . The lesson is that the only judge of a business idea is if you can get sales. And preferably, repeat sales from a good customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:53:48','2013-12-03 12:53:48','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(226,1,'2013-12-03 20:55:10','2013-12-03 12:55:10','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . The lesson is that the only judge of a business idea is if you can get sales. And preferably, repeat sales from a good customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:55:10','2013-12-03 12:55:10','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(227,1,'2013-12-03 20:57:56','2013-12-03 12:57:56','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. But the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is if it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales </em>from a reliable customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 20:57:56','2013-12-03 12:57:56','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(228,1,'2013-12-03 21:01:03','2013-12-03 13:01:03','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is if it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales </em>from a reliable customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Forget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong></blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:01:03','2013-12-03 13:01:03','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(229,1,'2013-12-03 21:01:57','2013-12-03 13:01:57','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is if it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales </em>from a reliable customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:01:57','2013-12-03 13:01:57','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(230,1,'2013-12-03 21:28:03','2013-12-03 13:28:03','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that the way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this myth is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen. For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is a mere illusion to most, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to be. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is if it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales </em>from a reliable customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\n\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement in EO, it that while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one success in five startup attempts. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is mostly eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had stakes in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total dud businesses, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride. \r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and figure out how you can effectively test to see whether  \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:28:03','2013-12-03 13:28:03','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(231,1,'2013-12-03 21:32:23','2013-12-03 13:32:23','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks, your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea, success is inevitable. It isn\'t . \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. End of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement in EO, it that while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one success in five startup attempts. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is mostly eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had stakes in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total dud businesses, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride. \r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve found is that while it is imperative that you invest enough in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better of investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and figure out how you can effectively test to see whether  \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:32:23','2013-12-03 13:32:23','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(232,1,'2013-12-03 21:42:57','2013-12-03 13:42:57','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another idea was a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house. \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:42:57','2013-12-03 13:42:57','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(233,1,'2013-12-03 21:50:51','2013-12-03 13:50:51','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house. \r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:50:51','2013-12-03 13:50:51','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(234,1,'2013-12-03 21:51:05','2013-12-03 13:51:05','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:51:05','2013-12-03 13:51:05','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(235,1,'2013-12-03 21:52:26','2013-12-03 13:52:26','','wpid-Steven-Smart.JPG','','inherit','open','open','','wpid-steven-smart-jpg','','','2013-12-03 21:52:26','2013-12-03 13:52:26','',136,'http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(237,1,'2013-12-03 21:58:41','2013-12-03 13:58:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:58:41','2013-12-03 13:58:41','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(236,1,'2013-12-03 21:52:28','2013-12-03 13:52:28','&nbsp;\n\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\n\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \n\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\n\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\n\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \n\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\n\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\n\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \n\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \nEnd of story.\n\n<blockquote>\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\n</blockquote>\n\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\n\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\n\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\"><img title=\"Steven Smart.JPG\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\" /></a> \n\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\n\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\n\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\n\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\n\nGood luck.','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 21:52:28','2013-12-03 13:52:28','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(238,1,'2013-12-03 22:00:07','2013-12-03 14:00:07','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:00:07','2013-12-03 14:00:07','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(239,1,'2013-12-03 22:00:55','2013-12-03 14:00:55','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:00:55','2013-12-03 14:00:55','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(240,1,'2013-12-03 22:02:02','2013-12-03 14:02:02','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea I had was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:02:02','2013-12-03 14:02:02','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(241,1,'2013-12-03 22:09:17','2013-12-03 14:09:17','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea I had was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nBut having met him, and heard him speak, he is not the swashbuckling person you imagine. He is actually very cautious. One of his best pieces of business advice is to \'protect against the downside\'. In a nutshell, he will invest in a business but only if the opportunity is large and he can limit his risk. If things don\'t work out, he must know he can cut his losses and exit stage left.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:09:17','2013-12-03 14:09:17','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(242,1,'2013-12-03 22:10:02','2013-12-03 14:10:02','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea I had was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. \r\n\r\nName his businesses. \r\n\r\nYou\'ll be lucky if you can think of 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nBut having met him, and heard him speak, he is not the swashbuckling person you imagine. He is actually very cautious. One of his best pieces of business advice is to \'protect against the downside\'. In a nutshell, he will invest in a business but only if the opportunity is large and he can limit his risk. If things don\'t work out, he must know he can cut his losses and exit stage left.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:10:02','2013-12-03 14:10:02','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(244,1,'2013-12-03 22:23:46','2013-12-03 14:23:46','So you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\n\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \n\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\n\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\n\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \n\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\n\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\n\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \n\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \nEnd of story.\n\n<blockquote>\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\n</blockquote>\n\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\n\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\n\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\"><img title=\"Steven Smart.JPG\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\" /></a> \n\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. Name his businesses. You\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\n\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\n\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\n\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\n\nGood luck.','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:23:46','2013-12-03 14:23:46','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(243,1,'2013-12-03 22:12:32','2013-12-03 14:12:32','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that has made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\r\n\r\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\r\n\r\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \r\n\r\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\r\n\r\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\r\n\r\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\r\n\r\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage for most of us, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \r\n\r\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\r\n\r\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\r\n\r\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \r\n\r\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \r\nEnd of story.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>\r\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\r\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\r\n</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\r\n\r\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea I had was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\r\n\r\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five. This is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\r\n\r\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson. \r\n\r\nName his businesses. \r\n\r\nYou\'ll be lucky if you can think of 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\r\n\r\nBut having met him, and heard him speak, he is not the swashbuckling person you imagine. He is actually very cautious. One of his best pieces of business advice is to \'protect against the downside\'. In a nutshell, he will invest in a business but only if the opportunity is large and he can limit his risk. If things don\'t work out, he must know he can cut his losses and exit stage left.\r\n\r\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. \r\n\r\nSuccessful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just because of the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of any great business.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house (or even the car for that matter).\r\n\r\nGood luck.\r\n','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:12:32','2013-12-03 14:12:32','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(245,1,'2013-12-03 22:32:24','2013-12-03 14:32:24','So you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\n\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \n\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\n\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\n\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \n\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\n\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\n\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \n\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly wish you can learn without having to experience yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \nEnd of story.\n\n<blockquote>\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\n</blockquote>\n\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\n\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\n\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five.\n\nThis is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\"><img title=\"Steven Smart.JPG\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\" /></a> \n\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson.\n\nName his businesses.\n\nYou\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\n\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\n\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\n\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\n\nGood luck.','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:32:24','2013-12-03 14:32:24','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(246,1,'2013-12-03 22:33:53','2013-12-03 14:33:53','So you\'ve come up with a great idea for a business. Or perhaps you\'ve seen that guy from Swaziland that had made a bazillion dollars doing something that hasn\'t hit your town yet. You can just copy it, and you\'ve got yourself a money-making machine.\n\nYou talk to friends. You do the math. You\'ve finally found it; that one great idea that will mean you \'make it\'. Just like the guys you\'ve been reading about on the front cover of Fast Company, or Entrepreneur magazine.\n\n<img class=\"aligncenter\" alt=\"Fast Company Front Cover\" src=\"http://images.fastcompany.com/upload/facebook-cover-2007.jpg\" />\n\nThe problem with this story is that... it\'s a myth. Well, not quite, it\'s worse. It is a red herring that could forever delude you into thinking that <em>the</em> way to be successful in business is to come up with the next \'great\' idea, get venture capital funding, party like there is no tomorrow and then IPO. Or perhaps that you need to find an Angel, or to win The Lion\'s Den. \n\nBut the reason this magazine-myth of the rags to riches garage startup is so believable is that this fairy-tale does actually happen... For 1 in 25,000,000 people. It\'s not playing the odds, but you\'ll take what you can.\n\nIf you want to stack the odds in your favour, you can make sure you were born in the United States. And come from an upper middle class family, so that when you pretend you are taking risks your ass isn\'t really on the line. Being white also certainly helps. And after you manage to do all this, make sure that you are less than 22 years old. Otherwise your past it.\n\n<strong>Don\'t like your chances?</strong>\n\nWell the good news, is that although this garage-to-billionaire approach is just a mirage, I\'ve met a lot of very successful business people who\'ve proven to me that hard-work, focus and tenacity can get you where you want to go. \n\nBut first let me share with you my experiences...\n\nI have had three businesses so far; one successful - in that it set me up financially, one that lost me around $300,000 and one that was a passion project that I had a lot of fun with, but ultimately cost me about $30,000.\n\nThe $300,000 loss was the result of nothing more than immense enthusiasm, falling for the \'magazine myth\' of success, and a delusion that just because something seems like a great idea to me, success is inevitable. It isn\'t. \n\nThe costly lesson, one that I dearly hope you can learn without having to experience it for yourself, is that <strong>the only judge of a business idea is whether it generates sales</strong>. And preferably, <em>repeat sales</em> from a reliable customer. \nEnd of story.\n\n<blockquote>\nForget the notion that you need a breakthrough idea to start a successful business.\nWhat you actually need is <strong>a customer.</strong>\n</blockquote>\n\nAs a counter-point, remember that people have made huge sums from such breath-takingly boring ideas as garbage collection (1800-GOT-JUNK), pet rocks and Jibbitz. But these businesses have all had that vital ingredient, customers.\n\nAlthough the $30,000 lost on another startup idea was indeed a loss, I\'m actually proud of it. The reason for this is that I spent the least amount possible to successfully test whether the opportunity had legs: I found an idea that offered an opportunity and I strategically tested the market. I leveraged my other business to give it a go, and in the end (when it was clear that it wouldn\'t get traction in the marketplace), I gracefully exited. It was hardly the triumph I wanted, but I lived to fight another day and didn\'t \'bet the house\'.\n\nWhat I\'ve also learned from my involvement with EO is that, while experience can help you improve the odds of success, the best you can probably hope for is one successful startup in five.\n\nThis is why buying proven businesses is really a very good option if you can afford it. It might take a few years to recover your outlay, but the risk of choosing a dud and wasting a lot of time and money is largely eliminated.\n\n<a href=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\"><img title=\"Steven Smart.JPG\" class=\"alignnone size-full\" alt=\"image\" src=\"http://smartestplace.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wpid-Steven-Smart.jpg\" /></a> \n\nIf you need further convincing, think of the most famous Entrepreneur of our time, Richard Branson.\n\nName his businesses.\n\nYou\'ll be lucky if you can name 10. But did you know he has had involvement in over 300 businesses. Now I\'m not going to say that the other 290 were total duds, but for every Virgin Atlantic there was a Virgin Coke, a Virgin Vodka and a Virgin Bride (always makes me smile).\n\nAnother thing I\'ve discovered is that while it is imperative that you invest <em>enough</em> in testing the market with a business idea, investing more does not increase the likelihood of success. You are much better off investing $10,000 testing 10 ideas, than $100,000 on one idea. How hard you try makes little difference, again... the *only* judge of a business idea is a successful sale to a customer. Successful businesses are almost always because a lucrative niche in the market has been identified, not just the effort and enthusiasm of the founder. Enthusiasm may get you a sale, but not the repeat sales that are the lifeblood of success.\n\n<blockquote>These experiences have reinforced in me the importance of \'Bootstrapping\'</blockquote>\n\nI\'ll discuss Bootstrapping in another article, but for now just try to contain your excitement about your great business idea and <strong>figure out the cheapest way possible to effectively test to see whether you can find repeat customers</strong>. Don\'t bet the house.\n\nGood luck.','Your great business idea','','inherit','open','open','','136-revision-v1','','','2013-12-03 22:33:53','2013-12-03 14:33:53','',136,'http://www.smartestplace.net/136-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(248,1,'2013-12-12 19:56:51','2013-12-12 11:56:51','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your business idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned and saved, why would you risk burning it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your [<em>insert loving family member here</em>]?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an honest day\'s work in their life knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>Investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.welcometosuccessonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/gambling-addiction.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','publish','open','open','','bootstrapping','','\nhttp://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/','2013-12-15 15:31:51','2013-12-15 07:31:51','',0,'http://www.smartestplace.net/?p=248',0,'post','',0),(249,1,'2013-12-12 19:14:51','2013-12-12 11:14:51','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping. But what is bootstrapping?\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance. Applied to a business idea, it means that you need to outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"445\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" class /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong><</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:14:51','2013-12-12 11:14:51','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(250,1,'2013-12-12 19:16:19','2013-12-12 11:16:19','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping. \r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance. Applied to a business idea, it means that you need to outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"445\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" class /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong><</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:16:19','2013-12-12 11:16:19','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(251,1,'2013-12-12 19:16:59','2013-12-12 11:16:59','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping. \r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance. Applied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"445\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" class /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong><</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:16:59','2013-12-12 11:16:59','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(252,1,'2013-12-12 19:17:12','2013-12-12 11:17:12','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping. \r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"445\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" class /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong><</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:17:12','2013-12-12 11:17:12','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(253,1,'2013-12-12 19:17:37','2013-12-12 11:17:37','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping. \r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"445\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" class /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong><</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:17:37','2013-12-12 11:17:37','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(254,1,'2013-12-12 19:18:52','2013-12-12 11:18:52','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping. \r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"445\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" class /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong><</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:18:52','2013-12-12 11:18:52','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(255,1,'2013-12-12 19:19:15','2013-12-12 11:19:15','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"445\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.openmarket.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/burning-money.jpg\" width=\"445\" height=\"292\" /> Source: openmarket.org[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:19:15','2013-12-12 11:19:15','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(256,1,'2013-12-12 19:25:24','2013-12-12 11:25:24','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash. For me, working as a \'labourer\' during university was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt, installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:25:24','2013-12-12 11:25:24','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(257,1,'2013-12-12 19:26:52','2013-12-12 11:26:52','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good,but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of the day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nThis is such an important idea for a \'wannabe\' business-owner, because our enthusiasm for a great idea is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:26:52','2013-12-12 11:26:52','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(258,1,'2013-12-12 19:28:32','2013-12-12 11:28:32','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for a wannabe business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational. What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream. And as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:28:32','2013-12-12 11:28:32','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(259,1,'2013-12-12 19:29:50','2013-12-12 11:29:50','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for a wannabe business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, becomes an essential ingredient of success toward building our dream.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:29:50','2013-12-12 11:29:50','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(260,1,'2013-12-12 19:30:34','2013-12-12 11:30:34','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for a wannabe business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success toward building our dream.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:30:34','2013-12-12 11:30:34','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(261,1,'2013-12-12 19:31:29','2013-12-12 11:31:29','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>What would be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success toward building our dream.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:31:29','2013-12-12 11:31:29','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(262,1,'2013-12-12 19:32:32','2013-12-12 11:32:32','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:32:32','2013-12-12 11:32:32','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(263,1,'2013-12-12 19:36:06','2013-12-12 11:36:06','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption width=\"2936\" align=\"alignnone\"]<img src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" class /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>Don\'t bet the house</blockquote>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:36:06','2013-12-12 11:36:06','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(264,1,'2013-12-12 19:37:44','2013-12-12 11:37:44','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. If you appreciate the value of money, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n<blockquote>Don\'t bet the house</blockquote>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:37:44','2013-12-12 11:37:44','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(265,1,'2013-12-12 19:40:01','2013-12-12 11:40:01','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n<blockquote>Don\'t bet the house</blockquote>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:40:01','2013-12-12 11:40:01','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(266,1,'2013-12-12 19:42:36','2013-12-12 11:42:36','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk borrowing money from your (insert family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve burnt their money instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n<blockquote>Don\'t bet the house</blockquote>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:42:36','2013-12-12 11:42:36','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(267,1,'2013-12-12 19:43:55','2013-12-12 11:43:55','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\nBootstrapping is a critically important idea for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. But the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong>&lt;</em>, it won\'t need that amount of commitment. Great ideas create their own momentum. Once your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to this podcast, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n<blockquote>Don\'t bet the house</blockquote>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nGood luck.<a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">Smallbizpod: Greg Gianforte Interview</a>','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:43:55','2013-12-12 11:43:55','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(268,1,'2013-12-12 19:51:07','2013-12-12 11:51:07','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house. ','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:51:07','2013-12-12 11:51:07','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(269,1,'2013-12-12 19:56:22','2013-12-12 11:56:22','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10m:15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice Blog[/caption]','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:56:22','2013-12-12 11:56:22','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(270,1,'2013-12-15 15:31:50','2013-12-15 07:31:50','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\n\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\n\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\n\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\n\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\n\n<blockquote>The idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your business idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\n\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned and saved, why would you risk burning it?\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\n\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your [<em>insert loving family member here</em>]?\n\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\n\nAnyone who has worked an honest day\'s work in their life knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\n\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\n\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\n\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\n\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\n<blockquote>Investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\n\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\n\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.welcometosuccessonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/gambling-addiction.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-autosave-v1','','','2013-12-15 15:31:50','2013-12-15 07:31:50','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(271,1,'2013-12-12 19:59:53','2013-12-12 11:59:53','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10m:15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 19:59:53','2013-12-12 11:59:53','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(272,1,'2013-12-12 20:01:34','2013-12-12 12:01:34','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this takes maturity and restraint, when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 20:01:34','2013-12-12 12:01:34','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(273,1,'2013-12-12 20:04:50','2013-12-12 12:04:50','I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-12 20:04:50','2013-12-12 12:04:50','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(274,1,'2013-12-13 07:21:39','2013-12-12 23:21:39','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />I\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:21:39','2013-12-12 23:21:39','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(275,1,'2013-12-13 07:22:17','2013-12-12 23:22:17','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you will feel when you\'ve wasted their money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:22:17','2013-12-12 23:22:17','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(276,1,'2013-12-13 07:24:56','2013-12-12 23:24:56','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your (insert loving family member here)?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:24:56','2013-12-12 23:24:56','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(277,1,'2013-12-13 07:25:40','2013-12-12 23:25:40','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your [<em>insert loving family member here</em>]?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an \'honest days work\' knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:25:40','2013-12-12 23:25:40','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(280,1,'2013-12-13 07:33:19','2013-12-12 23:33:19','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\n<blockquote>The idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your business idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your [<em>insert loving family member here</em>]?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an honest day\'s work in their life knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>Investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:33:19','2013-12-12 23:33:19','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(278,1,'2013-12-13 07:27:00','2013-12-12 23:27:00','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your [<em>insert loving family member here</em>]?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an honest day\'s work in their life knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:27:00','2013-12-12 23:27:00','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(279,1,'2013-12-13 07:28:01','2013-12-12 23:28:01','<img class=\"alignnone aligncenter\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Dr_Martens,_black,_old.jpg\" width=\"544\" height=\"382\" />\r\n\r\nI\'ve talked previously about the importance of bootstrapping.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>But what is bootstrapping?</strong></em>\r\n\r\nThe idea of bootstrapping a business comes from the proverb of <a href=\"http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/290800.html\">pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps</a>, which basically means moving yourself forward without external assistance.\r\n\r\nApplied to a business idea, it means that you should outlay as little of your own savings as possible when starting a business. The fact is, if your idea is <em>that good</em> you shouldn\'t need to put much of your own money into it anyway.\r\n\r\nAnd if you appreciate the value of money you\'ve earned, why would you burn it?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"640\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://images.suite101.com/639136_com_money_burn.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" /> Source: Suite101.com[/caption]\r\n\r\nOr worse still, why would you risk burning money you\'ve borrowed from your [<em>insert loving family member here</em>]?\r\n\r\n<em>Just imagine how bad you would feel if you lost someone else\'s money, instead of your own.</em>\r\n\r\nAnyone who has worked an honest day\'s work in their life knows that earning money is a lot harder than spending it. And, trust me, the last thing you want to do after saving up to start a business for a couple of years is to waste your hard-earned cash.\r\n\r\nFor me, working as a labourer during my university days was the way I learned the value of money. I spent that summer digging dirt; installing retaining walls for the family business. As a student, earning $10/hour was good, but the days were long and I was totally smashed by the end of each day. This was around the time of the dotcom bubble, with teenagers making a fortune from ridiculously bad business ideas. So I knew there <em>had to be</em> a better way...\r\n\r\n<strong>Bootstrapping is a critically important idea</strong> for the startup business-owner, because our enthusiasm for our \'great idea\' is so intoxicating that we make choices that are less than rational.\r\n<blockquote>What would otherwise be a frivolous waste of money in the cold light-of-day, we turn into an \'essential\' ingredient of success when building our dream.</blockquote>\r\nAnd as entrepreneurs, that is what we are all about: <em>The Dream.</em> I like to call it the \'blue sky\'. We are never happier than when we are thinking about the \'blue sky\' of possibilities that our next business idea could bring.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2936\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.jessseeker.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/JUMP-WITH-EXCITEMENT.jpg\" width=\"2936\" height=\"1920\" /> Source: Jessseeker.com[/caption]\r\n<blockquote>In a nutshell, the idea behind bootstrapping is: To get your idea off the ground, spend as little of your own money as possible.</blockquote>\r\nBut doing this successfully takes maturity, restraint and <em>creativity</em> ... when you are so damn enthusiastic about giving your idea a go. Again, the important point to realise is that if your idea is <em><strong>that good</strong></em>, it won\'t need that amount of financial commitment from yourself. Great ideas create their own momentum.\r\n\r\nOnce your business idea is generating its own steam there is nothing wrong with re-investing your profits back into the business - in fact, there is probably nothing better that you could do.\r\n<blockquote>The point is that, investing money in your business idea before it starts earning money is a \'leap of faith\'. And these kind of irrational choices will not serve you well in your entrepreneurial career. What matters is <strong>results</strong>.</blockquote>\r\nI could talk about about how essential bootstrapping is all day, but one of my mentors, Greg Gianforte, has already said it all. So take a few minutes to listen to <a href=\"http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk/interview-36/\">this podcast</a>, and hopefully your perspective on how to start a successful business will change forever. <em>(Interview starts at 10mins 15s)</em>\r\n\r\nGood luck. And don\'t bet the house.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"507\"]<img alt=\"\" src=\"http://blogs.artvoice.com/avdaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/loser1.jpg\" width=\"507\" height=\"336\" /> Source: Artvoice.com[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Bootstrapping','','inherit','open','open','','248-revision-v1','','','2013-12-13 07:28:01','2013-12-12 23:28:01','',248,'http://www.smartestplace.net/248-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),