How to Get Something Done

First, know exactly what you’re trying to do and understand the stages required to build a business. Know who can help you at each of those stages.

Second, get clear on who your background resources are, who your channel resources are, and who your operational resources are—each playing their own role, with everyone contributing their strengths.

You’ll have people to endorse you, channel resources in place, but someone still needs to get the details executed. Otherwise, it’s all a castle in the air—how will anything actually get done? A strong execution team is essential: who’s good at what, who owns what, right people in the right roles. Incentives and penalties should be motivating. Responsibilities, boundaries, reporting lines, performance targets, and commission rates all need to be clearly agreed upon up front.

You have to bring your own value and execution ability. If someone gives you resources, you should be able to put them to work and actually get things done. Don’t wait around for benefactors to hand you a break.