For those that have missed the past few Face-to-Face meetings, we had a great time networking before the meeting, as well as enjoyed wonderful panelists.
If you have any suggestions for Face-to-Face topics and speakers, please email your suggestions to Dan Grant at dang@mvp4u.biz.
Tips for Entrepreneurial Success
Fall Face-to-Face, NIU Executive Club
October 9, 2007
Jeff Yordon, Founder and CEO, Sagent Pharmaceuticals ('70 Political Science)
- Know who you are
- Pick a career path that excites and motivates you
- Be aggressive, play to win
- You can't beat planning
- Hire great people and empower them to perform
- Build a broad network of contacts
- Deepen and strengthen relationships
- Listen
Jerry Rich, Rich Harvest Farms ('61 Math/Physics)
- Apply what you learn from your mom and dad to your business life
- Be dedicated
- Give a “little extra effort” to everything you do
- Surround yourself with the smartest people you can
- Make your clients/customers look good – they'll be customers for life
- If you are successful, enjoy the ride!
Dennis Barsema, Philanthropist and Tech Entrepreneur ('77 Management)
- Be humble
- Have a plan, career roadmap
- Describe what you do on the back of a business card
- Lead by example (CHEER)
- Communicate
- Be Honest
- Be Empathetic
- Evolve – embrace change
- Respect others
- Overcome fears
- Find ways to compete stronger, set yourself apart
- There are no shortcuts – quality takes time
- Go from success to significance in ways that touch your heart
All
- There is no substitute for hard work
- Take calculated risks
- Keep moving forward and remain positive despite setbacks
