Creating a startup is something of a dark science. Here's a short insight about a single point that can save you time, efforts and make sure you are driven in the right direction. The "undercover" secret of entrepreneurship: making the decisions that matters.

1. Venture Challenge
Stéphane Gamard
Lausanne, 7th January 2014

2. Hello, my name is
Stéphane
and I am
an entrepreneur

3. how-to
School Math & Science
B.S. Psychology & Computer Science
M.S AI & Cognitive Science
PhD* Cognitive Science
Never “became” an entrepreneur
* yes I am a PhD drop-out

4. the real how-to
2007 Somewhat the start of an idea
Venture Kick, Plan & Leader
2009 salsaDev S.A.
2012 Searchbox S.A.
getting a street M.B.A.

5. What does it take?
BUT
Everything that everyone says
- Getting the right people involved
- Being motivated, with a strong motivating motivation
- Focusing & sales & focusing & sales & …
- Take your time: It’s not sprint but more like an ironman
- Have fun, fun, more fun and enjoy
- …

6. What it’s really about
Making decisions that matter

7. What it’s really about
“There are two types of things in life: the urgent
ones and the important ones.” - Dave Brown
”New feature”
”Will you marry me”
”Should we finance””IP/Patent/Secret”
”Bug Fixing””blogpost”
”Meet person XYZ”

8. What it’s really aboutnumberofdecisionsperday
School
B.A.
M.A.
PhD
Career
C-Level
important

9. What it’s really aboutnumberofdecisionsperday
School
B.A.
M.A.
PhD
Career
C-Level
urgent
important

10. What it’s really aboutnumberofdecisionsperday
School
B.A.
M.A.
PhD
Career
C-Level
urgent
important
2x
the
w
ork

11. What it’s really about
Without a proper distinction between
the urgent and the important “stuff”,
you lose…

12. Why is it so hard
Experience
No clues
Front-row seats
Touchy / Sensitive / Emotional

13. How to remedy
Learn… fast!!!
Think… often!!!
Go out… more often!!!
Network… be careful
Beware

14. Merci
Stéphane Gamard
stephane.gamard@searchbox.com
http://www.searchbox.com