I recently gave a speech at the MBA program at Pepperdine University on “How to Break Out of the Pack”. It was a talk to a large group of budding entrepreneurs who were looking for some advice on what exceptional business leaders do to distinguish themselves from everyone else. The follow presentation is a set of 10 lessons I’ve learned. The presentation covers the main topics and quotes I put together on the subject. The video (to be added soon) will include the full talk.

How to Break Out of the Pack

Don’t take for granted your life, even if you think it’s filled with strife

Don’t take for granted your health, it can’t be replaced any amount of wealth

Don’t take for granted your friends, they may be all you have in the end

Don’t take for granted your kin, for they love you in spite of your sins

Don’t take for granted your dad, he may get mad when you’re bad but his love is no fad

Don’t take for granted your mom, she’s always there when everything goes wrong

Don’t take for granted your wife, she is your life

Don’t take for granted your husband, and he’ll always honor the band on your left hand

Don’t take for granted your child, for nothing will bring you more smiles

Don’t take for granted time, it’s stolen more than any crime

Don’t take for granted money, when it’s gone it’s not funny

Don’t take for granted a single moment,  they flash brilliant and then forever go out of print

Don’t take for granted your president, he’s only a temporary resident

Don’t take for granted any person on the street, for they too have a fragile heartbeat

Don’t take for granted yourself in anyway, even if the message is delivered in silly wordplay

I recently went back to the University of California at Santa Barbara to give a leadership talk to about 250 students. I put together a presentation (embeded below from Docstoc) on the 21 Golden Rules of Entrepreneurship. Its a collection of life & business lessons that the most successful entrepreneurs have applied to achieve amazing feats. I wrap these lessons in my own personal journey (so far). My thought is to turn this into a book, with more examples and make the use of fictional characters / plot that pulls this all together in a really easily digestible and actionable format. Here is the first pass, hope you enjoy!

An Entrepreneurship Fable

These are the core questions that I ask every person that I interview. I’ve narrowed the list down to the top 7 questions I ask from a list of hundreds I have tried. Hope this helps. And as a bonus threw in a video for those folks looking for a job on the best way to get that interview.

Watch the 90 minute interview with Michael Arrington at our last Startups Uncensored event. He was extremely frank, open and honest. It’s an amazing profile for anyone interested in either technology or entrepreneurship. I probably pushed the boundaries a bit by asking him too many personal questions, but my point of view was we all know what he thinks about the tech world, but so few people have an insight into the person that helped re-popularize startups. A very BIG thanks to my friend MIke for flying down to Los Angeles to do this live event in front of 700 entrepreneurs and techies.

PREVIOUSLY…..

Our next Startups Uncensored event is going to be very special.  I’ll be doing a one-on-one interview with Michael Arrington, founder of TechCrunch and the new CrunchFund. Michael is an incredible serial entrepreneur who, in 2008, was listed as one of Time Magazine‘s most influential people. We’ll also have some very special guests in attendance – Yossi Vardi (co-founder of ICQ) will be coming with leaders from 15 companies from Israel.

The event will be happening on December 1, 2011 at The Milken Institute in Santa Monica. Tickets are going fast for this special event – it WILL sell out, so get your tickets soon!

Last month’s startups uncensored was about “Building Bigger Businesses the Second Time Around.” The event was an open, frank and in-depth discussion with an all-star panel consisting of Gil Ebaz (Founder/CEO Factual, Co-Founder of Applied Semantics), Brian Lee (CEO of ShoeDazzle, CO-Founder of LegalZoom), Mark Suster (GRP Partners, http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/), and Ryan Scott (Founder/CEO of CauseCast, Founder/CTO of NetCreations). These industry heavyweights discussed everything from humble beginnings, to operating with limited capital, to scaling billion dollar businesses.

Click Here to see Event Pictures on Flickr

Check out the whole video here:

I eat out almost every meal.  I’ll spend time on Citysearch and Yelp trying to find good new spots to try, but my preference is still to get great recommendation from friends.  Enter Leslie Wade, who put this list together for me below in an email (including the cute commentary), and I feel compelled to share it with the world since she’s not yet doing her own blogging.  I can at least take credit for adding the links  This list does skew to fancier places in the Westside/Hollywood area, but those are some of the best spots in LA.

(*) denotes a recommendation. Others listed are in the area and definitely great spots, but may not be ideal for groups.

Animal – great space…they do lots of private parties. Not much for vegetarian options though.
* AOC – the food here is amazing, wine is amazing and their wine bar/bistro fare is fun for a group
Bastide
* Bazaar at the SLS – no matter how many times people have been, it’s always fun. Interesting (it’s all molecular gastronomy), delicious food and WAY fun drinks.
* BLT Steak – great steakhouse (a Wadavon favorite) with amazing food, service, and a nice group dining area. Plus those popovers always get people talking.
* BOA Steakhouse on Sunset – really beautiful patio/bar area. Plus, you can’t go wrong with steakhouse fare when trying to please a large group.
Bungalow Club – an LA staple for events. There’s a reason for that…people love it.
Campanile – lovely inside, lovely food.
Comme Ça
Dominick’s – low key. good for groups… food is ok, drinks are better- a more laid-back atmosphere
Eva – for the foodies.
Gordon Ramsay at the London - restaurant is $$$ but the roof-top pool area for drinks is really lovely for after dinner
Hatfield’s – if it’s about the food- this is the place.
* Jar – the food here is a sure crowd-pleaser. Comfort food done up fancy in a sweet, minimalist spot. Great wine list, great cocktails.
Katana – definitely fun for a group (but I know you know this spot)
Koi – a weho staple.
La Paella – décor is nothing special, but the food is authentic and great
Lucques – inside is rustic, yet chic. For the foodies.
Nobu Matsuhisa – another weho staple.
Osteria Mozza – the food is great and it’s a nice space. Anyone who hasn’t been yet will have most likely been dying to try it. Great wine list.
Ortolan – super French and fancy (if that’s what you’re going for)
* Pali House – haven’t tried the food- but the space has a great environment. The dining patio area is really lovely and the drinks there are great
* Providence – if budget isn’t an issue, Providence is the type of place to BLOW EVERYONE AWAY. Gorgeous inside, amazing food (primarily seafood).
* Red O – beautiful inside, the food is decent but definitely a crowd-pleaser, plus it’s the “it” place in LA, so people would like it for the “event” of it.
RH – hidden gem inside the Andaz Hotel on Sunset. Not many people know about it, so it’s a nice surprise how cute it is.                                                                                           Simon LA – (which I know YOU know!) Great patio area…plus the Junk Food platter is always a crowd-pleaser
STK – lovely inside, the typical dark, moody steakhouse feel. Nice booths- not sure about a big group though.
Susan Feniger’s Street – food is interesting (not outstanding), but it’s definitely fun. And it’s got a nice patio for a group dining experience.
* The Tar Pit – SO cute. The inside is lovely, a very 1920s vibe (http://tarpitbar.squarespace.com/pics/the-tar-pit/)…food is great, drinks are amazing.
The Foundry on Melrose – popular for group events for a reason. This place is always a crowd-pleaser.                                                                                                                                     * Tres by Jose Andrés – same chef at The Bazaar… nothing here disappoints. Plus the hotel is beautiful and the drinks are amazing.                                                                     XIV – the food is fancy, lots of “foams” and “terrines” and such. But could be nice for a group event.
Honorable mentions: (probably too casual, but worth a mention anyway because of the food)
Amalfi
Angelini Osteria
Umami Burger

What’s the one most important thing for your startup or small business?  I don’t know!  But I do know THERE IS ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING.  Here is how you make that one thing matter most.

One of the most common themes I talk about is starting a new business, and among that topic answering the question of Why.  A lot of us naturally ask things in the beginning like “what should I do” or “how do I do that”, but those aren’t the most important questions to ask.  Here is my explanation of why WHY is the most important questions when starting out.

Whatever else I accomplish in life, I certainly hope I keep my non-douchebaggy status.  Treat each person you meet with respect, kindness and thoughtfulness.  It’s a standard we can all strive for, but some seem to fall extra short.  So here are my muses on the types of Douchebags you can run across in the tech world, and how not to be one.

1.) CEOs Whose Cockiness is Just Dickiness

Who Are You: You bark orders at waiters and never say thank you or please.  Your sense of entitlement is only outweighed by your rudeness.  Some small measure of success has made you actually believe that you’re better than other people so you treat others like 2^nd class citizens and tend to be a glad-handing sycophant by day and insecure sad little child by night.

What’s the Remedy: This is a tough one.  Typically the only remedy is a visit by the Ghost of Christmas Future or your own financial demise.  Vito Corleone was feared but he was also loved.  Mark McCluskey (the police captain in The Godfater) was simply capped in the head.  Remember that the next time you give some waiter your attitude at an Italian joint.

2.) The Self Aggrandized Investor/Venture Capitalist

Who Are You: Well Mr/Mrs Money Bags, you’re the person who only takes time to talk to someone when they are already a big shot.  You only hobnob at parties with CEOs who have had (& will have) multi-million/ billion dollar exits and treat the little guy like they’re invisible.  You never take time to ask others questions and listening to the sound of your own voice is like masturbation… you get off on it, but really no one wants to be around you when it’s going on.

What’s The Remedy: At social mixers make eye contact at least 20% of the time with people who approach you; temper negative feedback with some positive reinforcement on the struggles of trying to come up; don’t treat people differently based on the amount of money you think they can make you.

3.) The Uber-Annoying Service Provider

Who Are You: You corner us at mixers and tell stories about all the great things you do and how wonderful you are, without having any idea if we need your help.  You’re persistent past the point of pestilent, and you have the tact and self awareness of a sledge-hammer tainted with cyanide.

What’s The Remedy: Don’t bother asking yourself if people like you, they don’t.  Ask yourself if you’d want to spend 5 minutes with you, you wouldn’t.  Being a service provider is one of the greatest professions and one that should engender a great deal of trust and always start and end with solving other people’s problems.  Don’t be that problem.

4.) The Ineffectual Executive

Who Are You: In an 5 minute conversation you say the words Strategy, Strategic, & Strategizing over 3 dozen times.  “I bring a discipline of strategizing over strategic strategy”.  You take credit for items as absurd as the exploits of the Most Interesting Man in the World.  And you’re a big fan of the dropping the phrase “I’m not scared to roll up my sleeves” – who would ever be scared of that….

What’s the Remedy: Learn & apply any current marketable skills.

5.) Business Dolts Who Devalue Engineers

Who Are You: You throw around the phrase “Code-Monkeys”.  You consider it a badge of honor that you’re too important to know the difference between AJAX and Windex.  You take no interest nor show any curiosity in how technical systems are built or maintained, and Engineering is the least valued/respected part of your organization.

What’s the Remedy: Have a conversation a day with a techie for 30 straight days.  You’ll realize they’re smarter than you, more passionate about what they do, more engaged in their work and solve more interesting problems.  If you still want to dis on engineering after that at least you should have some more tech slang to give you street cred.

6.) Tech Snobs Who Look Down on Business

Who Are You: Do you have a disdain for making money?  Are words like “Conversion, Sales, Revenue Optimization” dirty language at your parties?  Then you may be afflicted by the common disease known as Imtoocoolformyowngooditis.  It’s dumb to bite the hand the feeds you, and even more lame to spite it with disdain.  Sales and making money is the purest exchange of value, and without that no great tech invention would be a permanent fixture in our lives.

What’s the Remedy: Don’t be too smart for your own good.  A students get great jobs, but hustling C students hire A students.  Take time to learn how business leaders are able to affect people both one on one and in masses and you’ll see how to unlock the true potential of your inventions.

7.) The WannaBe Board of Advisor

Who Are You: You offer your board advisory skilz up repeatedly, but the only stock you have is in your brother-in-law’s startup up investment bank and a German foreign language film site that specializes in off color humor flicks.  You’re a BIG fan of telling other how you can help them raise money and make connections.  And sometimes you even generously offer up your part time CEOs services, and tout how you do the same for 6 other companies simultaneously.

What’s the Remedy: Don’t ever offer to be a Board of Advisor unless you’re asked first.  If you’re services are actually in demand they will be sought out Casanova of Board Advising.

8.) Self-Entitled Social-Media HotShots

Who Are You: Your license plate reads “SCLEXPT”.  You spend all day teaching the most computer illiterate people how to create a facebook page and twitter loggin and you mock anyone who doesn’t spend 3 hours a day updating their FB status or tweeting photos of their lunch. You have about as much “expertise” as 24-hour online certified priests, but tout your un-knowledge like a peacock on parade.

What’s the Remedy: Make somebody money.  I’m offering a $1000 bounty for the first social media expert that has ever made money with their social stream.  Here’s a tip: if you have more friends online than you do in real life, and they’re people you’ve never met, become more of an expert at forming real life relationships.

9.) The Wistful WouldhaveShouldhaveCouldhave ByStander

Who Are You: Have you said this phrase in the last week “Oh, I so had that idea two years ago”.  Congratulations, as my dad would say “I’ll give you a shit medal”.  Are you really going to tell me you could have done a better job creating Groupon?  Oh yes that’s right you still live at home in your late 30s but are the captain of your weekend league ultimate frisbee team.  You may have been the first of your friends to create an online bulletin board, but let’s be honest, it was just to download porn.  Congratulations you still do that very well.

What’s The Remedy: Stop talking and start doing.

10.) The Hatter Trolls

Who Are You: You’re free time on work breaks, of which you take 15+ throughout the day because you hate what you do, is spent online talking shit about the accomplishments of others.  You feel better for knocking down others while never putting yourself up to the light of scrutiny.  You leave comments on blogs as Anonymous or MrBombastic.  And you don’t just relegate your hating to online forms but take every instance to talk shit behind someone’s back, while praising them to their face.

What’s the Remedy: Drink Your Own Haterade.  Sure there is plenty to criticize, just look at season 5 of Happy Day.  But I personally think Jumping a Shark on waterskis and in a leather jacket is badass.  You don’t get to be cool by talking shit about others unless you are the creator of American Idol, have a British accent and launch the career of a portly Irish woman who sings I Dreamed a Dream like an angel from heaven.