Use these tests to vet potential business advisors before a crisis and find someone who can walk with you as your grow your company.

1. © The Early Thinking
By Roger W. Boyce
4 Tests to Vet
a Potential Business Advisor

2. © The Early Thinking 2
Decisions an
entrepreneur
needs to
make
What you can
really handle
alone

3. © The Early Thinking
Time spent
thinking and
dreaming
about your
idea and
business
3
Resistance to accept better ideas
Your competitor
out-innovated
you
An “Oh s**t”
moment
Use advisors to avoid “reality distortion syndrome”

4. © The Early Thinking
Great
advisor
Don’t be satisfied with good advice
4
Unimaginative Insightful
Friends
Family
Average
advisor

5. © The Early Thinking
Test #1
5
Look for an advisor who’s smart about your domain

6. © The Early Thinking
Test #2
6
Look for an advisor without a motive to manipulate

7. © The Early Thinking
Test #3
7
Look for an advisor who isn’t a cheerleader

8. © The Early Thinking
Test #4
8
Look for an advisor who is self-reflecting

9. © The Early Thinking 9
Honest Advice Approval Therapy
Lastly, don’t look for, look at yourself

10. © The Early Thinking
A Great company
is nurtured by
a Great
community
10
‘few build a company alone’
Early
adopter
customers
Skilled
leadership
team
Passionate
employees
Smart
founders
The
RIGHT
advisors

11. © The Early Thinking
Contact Information
E: rboyce@theearlythinking.com or rboyce@stevens.edu
W: www.theearlythinking.com
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