---
title: Select Strategies Blog (5)
description: (5)
---

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## [Lunchtime Laughs With LinkedIn - Different Roles Have Different Views](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/lunchtime-laughs-with-linkedin-different-roles-have-different-views)

 Posted on February 25, 2013 by [Emer O'Donnell](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/emer-odonnell)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2367423834.jpg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/lunchtime-laughs-with-linkedin-different-roles-have-different-views)

Whilst browsing through Linkedin at my desk today over a sambo I came across an interesting discussion on how different roles have different views on [business](http://www.selectstrategies.com/services/) and life.

I laughed so much I just had to share it…

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/lunchtime-laughs-with-linkedin-different-roles-have-different-views)

 Posted in: [Sales](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/sales), [Product Management](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/product-management), [Finance](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/finance), [Project Management](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/project-management)

## ['State of the heart' beats 'State of the art'](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/state-of-the-heart-beats-state-of-the-art)

 Posted on February 14, 2013 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2364729121.jpeg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/state-of-the-heart-beats-state-of-the-art)

I often have the privilege of providing [business growth](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/3-reasons-why-business-growth-transformation-projects-fail) coaching to smart CEOs in the tech sector. Many struggle to get the story of their business straight. It gets clouded in a fog of digital speak. It is hard not to be seduced into colluding with these CEOs trying to improve their PointPoint deck.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/state-of-the-heart-beats-state-of-the-art)

 Posted in: [Entrepreneur](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/entrepreneur), [Value Proposition](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/value-proposition)

## [Successful market entry - the challenge continues](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/successful-market-entry-the-challenge-continues)

 Posted on February 04, 2013 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2366561630.jpeg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/successful-market-entry-the-challenge-continues)

 

Successful market entry is a challenge, whether you are a tiny [startup](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/want-to-make-your-startup-succeed-be-yourself-with-more-skill) seeking your first market, or a more seasoned entrepreneur searching for [growth](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/3-reasons-why-business-growth-transformation-projects-fail). In fact history tells us that for every four attempts only one is successful. With these daunting statistics it makes sense to prepare as best you can.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/successful-market-entry-the-challenge-continues)

 Posted in: [Business Growth](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/business-growth), [Market Entry](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/market-entry)

## [Giving and receiving advice for startups](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/giving-and-receiving-advice-for-startups)

 Posted on January 17, 2013 by [Emer O'Donnell](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/emer-odonnell)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2362263573.jpeg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/giving-and-receiving-advice-for-startups)

We work with [startups](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/startups-whats-in-a-name) all the time. On [iGAP](http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Events/OurEvents/iGAP/) we meet 25+ new ones every year, each with their own set of challenges and issues to figure out. A friend of ours, let’s call him Jeff, has recently set up an internet business. One evening last week Jeff popped over for some advice and [feedback](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/giving-feedback-two-stars-one-wish) on his beta site.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/giving-and-receiving-advice-for-startups)

 Posted in: [Startups](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/startups), [Entrepreneur](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/entrepreneur)

## [What is the right number of founders in a startup?](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/what-is-the-right-number-of-founders-in-a-startup)

 Posted on January 15, 2013 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2366727320.jpeg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/what-is-the-right-number-of-founders-in-a-startup)

Someone asked me an interesting question recently - what is the right number of [founders](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/whats-in-a-leader) in a [startup](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/changing-the-way-irish-startups-are-built-were-on-a-mission)? Most of us only have the agony or ecstasy of a few startups so this an important question to consider early on. Like all seemingly straightforward questions, the answer is complex.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/what-is-the-right-number-of-founders-in-a-startup)

 Posted in: [Startups](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/startups), [Founder](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/founder)

## [Observe Customers Interacting with Your Product...It can be surprising](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/observe-customers-interacting-with-your-product...it-can-be-surprising)

 Posted on December 20, 2012 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

![observe customers interacting with your product](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2372926802.jpeg?width=150&name=file-2372926802.jpeg "observe customers interacting with your product")

Last Thursday we had the pleasure of welcoming [Justin Knecht](https://twitter.com/verticalbones) (@[verticalbones](http://www.verticalbones.com)) back to The Gibson Hotel for our last [iGAP](http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Events/OurEvents/iGAP/) session of 2012. Justin has been with us before and it's always been a great session, but this year there was a twist to the tale.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/observe-customers-interacting-with-your-product...it-can-be-surprising)

 Posted in: [Product Development](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/product-development)

## [Before asking customers to validate your thinking, ask what they think](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/before-asking-customers-to-validate-your-thinking-ask-what-they-think)

 Posted on November 22, 2012 by [Emer O'Donnell](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/emer-odonnell)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2368726011.jpeg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/before-asking-customers-to-validate-your-thinking-ask-what-they-think)

We had the pleasure, last Friday morning, of welcoming [Sean Ellis](http://www.startup-marketing.com) (he of Dropbox, LogMeIn etc fame) back to The Gibson Hotel for a day of discussion and debate as part of this year's [iGAP](http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Events/OurEvents/iGAP/). I'm lucky to have seen Sean deliver before, so whilst I was looking forward to the day, I wasn't expecting any light bulb moments! But light bulb moments have a tendency to come along when you least expect them!

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/before-asking-customers-to-validate-your-thinking-ask-what-they-think)

 Posted in: [Product Development](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/product-development), [Customer Validation](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/customer-validation)

## [10 reasons why iGAP can increase your chance of startup success](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/10-reasons-why-igap-can-increase-your-chance-of-startup-success)

 Posted on June 28, 2012 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2370749240.jpg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/10-reasons-why-igap-can-increase-your-chance-of-startup-success)

As programme managers, on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, for their internet and games [startup](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/startups-whats-in-a-name) programme [iGAP](http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/en/Events/OurEvents/iGAP/), we are always delighted to hear stories from past participants about how iGAP changed their [business](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/3-reasons-why-business-growth-transformation-projects-fail). This blog post comes courtesy of iGAP past participant, Rory O'Connor [www.scurri.com](http://www.scurri.co.uk), who shares how the iGAP experience impacted his business:

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/10-reasons-why-igap-can-increase-your-chance-of-startup-success)

 Posted in: [Startups](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/startups), [Entrepreneur](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/entrepreneur), [Founder](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/founder)

## [Is your CTO keeping your company in a growth rut?](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/is-your-cto-keeping-your-company-in-a-growth-rut)

 Posted on May 11, 2012 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2374549457.jpg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/is-your-cto-keeping-your-company-in-a-growth-rut)

I met a London based software company [founder](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/do-ceos-really-have-time-to-waste-on-emotional-intelligence) this week, who wanted to chat about the ‘growth rut’ they were in. Let's call him Jack.

Jack’s software company has a good product, he has 19 happy customers, all who bought directly from Jack, who is a classic international road warrior CEO. His company has a good [growth opportunity](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/3-reasons-why-business-growth-transformation-projects-fail) but their positioning and marketing stink.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/is-your-cto-keeping-your-company-in-a-growth-rut)

 Posted in: [Entrepreneur](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/entrepreneur), [Business Growth](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/business-growth), [Founder](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/founder), [Marketing](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/marketing)

## [A novel approach...closing that all-important first reference customer](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/a-novel-approach-to-closing-that-all-important-first-reference-customer)

 Posted on March 13, 2012 by [Paul O'Dea](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/author/paul-odea)

[![](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/hs-fs/hub/447849/file-2373319984.jpg)](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/a-novel-approach-to-closing-that-all-important-first-reference-customer)

Winning the [first international reference](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/changing-the-way-irish-startups-are-built-were-on-a-mission) site is tough. The normal rules don't apply. Greg Turley ([Cartrawler](http://www.cartrawler.com/?gclid=CPfJ5P6oo8MCFcF02wodFrUAig)) told a great story recently which has become known as the 'embassy close'.

The challenge Greg faced was getting that critical signature from an international airline. He had tried everything. Frustration in getting it across the line was mounting. Vanity was the only route left. He told his sales manager to call the international airlines key buyer to tell him that the CEO of Cartrawer (Greg) was hoping to meet him in Warsaw in the Irish embassy, with the Irish Ambassador and some media to sign the famous contract.

[Read More](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/a-novel-approach-to-closing-that-all-important-first-reference-customer)

 Posted in: [Startups](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/startups), [Sales](https://blog.selectstrategies.com/blog/topic/sales)

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